A short essay on the modes of defence best adapted to the situation and circumstances of this island (the Glenie family copy, with replies)

[GLENIE, James]. A short essay on the modes of defence best adapted to the situation and circumstances of this island. With an examination of the schemes that have been formed for the purpose of fortifying its principal dockyards on very extensive plans, which are ready to be carried into execution by his Grae the Duke of Richmond, now Master-General of the Ordnance. By an Officer. London : printed for G. & T. Wilkie, 1785. Second edition, pp. 91. [Together with] : [Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond]. An answer to “A Short essay on the modes of defence best adapted to the situation and circumstances of this island”. London : J. Almon, 1785, half-title, pp. 68 (tear to pp. 11-12). [Together with] : [GLENIE, James]. A reply to the Answer to A Short essay on the modes of defence best adapted to the situation and circumstances of this island, &c., in a letter to His Grace the Duke of Richmond. London : G. & T. Wilkie, 1785, pp. 56.

The three pamphlets bound in quarter calf over marbled papered boards, recased with later spine, ruled in gilt, gilt-lettered title label, a good copy with the Eric Glenie Bonython bookplate to front pastedown.

“A short essay …” by military officer James Glenie criticised the extensive fortification plans for Britain’s dockyards proposed by the Duke of Richmond, at an estimated cost of 50 million pounds, advocating instead for different strategies for national defense such as the funding of a new Navy and mobile land force responsive to various attacks, rather than static fortifications. This series of published critiques and responses sparked a notable debate in Parliament and various public forums, with Glenie’s views ultimately prevailing against Richmond’s expensive schemes in the House of Commons in 1786.

Provenance:

the Glenie family, by descent, with the following family tree inscribed opposite the title page of the first pamphlet in the hand of Eric Glenie Bonython in blue ink, continued by Hugh Trevanion Bonython:

James Glenie (1750 – 1817)

James Moncrief Sutherland Glenie (1783 – 1847), by descent

Henry Sneyd Glenie (1819 – 1875), by descent;

Maud Glenie (1868 – 1915), by descent;

Eric Glenie Bonython (1910 – 1971), by descent

Hugh Trevanion Bonython (1943 – ), by descent

acquired from a member of the Glenie family.