1799 Militia and Volunteer List, the Earl of Harrowby’s copy.

List of the Officers of the Several Regiments and Corps of Fencible Cavalry and Infantry; of the Officers of the Militia; of the Corps and Troops of Gentlemen and Yeomanry; and of the Corps and Companies of Volunteer Infantry; with an Index. Also a list of the Officers of the Cavalry and Infantry Associations; with an Index. War Office 23d April, 1799. The Ninth Edition [i.e. 9th year of publication] 8vo

675pp + 2pp additions and alterations while printing. Contemporary full straight grain crimson morocco gilt with black title label gilt FENCIBLES, MILITIA, &C, 1799 ,  original boldly marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, no ownership marks apart from the armorial bookplate of Earl of Harrowby, an excellent and handsome copy, hinges very sound and the the text block tight and little used. A very scarce copy of  this important work of reference. The proliferation of loyal volunteers and associations of gentlemen formed in response to the fears of invasion from France result in wonderfully obscure units whose officers are listed here, such as: Loyal Thurso Defensive Band, Broadstairs Gunners, St Andrew, Holborn, above the Bars, and St George the Martyr Volunteers, Nether Knutsford, Marazion Rangers, Ingatestone Hall Pioneers, and units of North British Militia. The work is fully indexed and in many cases the regimental agents are given. nov19/1

Dudley Ryder, 1st Earl of Harrowby [1762-1847] was a Tory politician who became MP for his father’s old Devonshire seat of Tiverton in 1784 and held a number of ministerial posts including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Lord President of the Council. In 1827 he turned down the office of Prime Minister in George IV’s government.