Helps and Hints how to Protect Life and Property with Instructions in Rifle and Pistol Shooting &c.

The Embellishments by Mr. Bonner and others, after Designs by Messrs. G. & R. Cruikshank, Alken, Haghe, Fussell and de Berenger. Engraved vignette to the title page, and numerous vignettes and other illustrations to the text, ten plates, two of them folding lithographs. Some foxing and browning, the folding plates quite heavily at the margins, one plate with a clean split on a fold, overall a very good copy in the original green pebble-grain cloth, rebacked with the original spine laid down. viii, 286pp. ad. leaf. Published for the Proprietor by T. Hurst... and may be had at the Stadium, Chlesea,

Cohn 772; Riling 460. Charles Random Beaufain, self-styled Baron De Berenger is described by DNB as "gifted with an unscrupulous impudence". In 1814 he was involved in an audacious fraud, circulating a rumour that Napoleon was dead and peace imminent, and profiting, along with his confederates, from the resulting market fluctuations. As a result De Berenger was arrested along with Admiral Cochrane, in whose confidence he was at the time, and one of Cochrane's uncles. All were found guilty and Cochrane was "... struck of the list of the navy... expelled from the House of Commons; and, with every possible indignity, from the number of the knights of the Bath." [ibid.]

The present work is a remarkable collection of "tips and wrinkles" on the subject of self-defence, "Precautions which ought to be attended to in walking the streets of great cities."; "... General Rules and Cautions to be observed on the Highways and Roads.", but also on target and game shooting. The text is much enhanced by the lively engravings showing lurking foot-pads and the like. The latter part of the volume is taken up with what is essentially a prospectus for "The Stadium, or, British National Arena." an establishment for the promotion of "Manly and Defensive Exercises, Equestrian, Chivalric, and Aquatic Games, and Skilful and Amusing Pastimes" which De Berenger had set up in Cremorne Gardens. There are four etched plates by George Cruikshank with views of activities at the Stadium, and three plates of the "Costumes" of participants - Rifle Club, and male and femail members of the Archery Club - drawn and etched by Robert Cruikshank. The two folding lithographs also show views of the Arena. De Berenger has a place in Olympic history as the Stadium twice hosted Olympic Festivals, 1832 and again in 1838 as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Victoria.

This copy from the library of Albert Mayer Cohn, author of the Cruikshank catalogue raisonné, with his Cruikshank bookplate to the front pastedown.

Stock Code: 88159