ARTICLE: Nelson Vibes, 1809

So I was exploring the excellent chaos that is Camilla’s bookshop in Eastbourne with Peter Caddick-Adams and Stephen Fisher, when I pulled off the shelf a dull looking blue bound book that was labelled The British Army in Spain. None of us were prepared for what it turned out to be, and just how much history was attached to it…

Turns out, the book dates all the way back to 1809. It had been rebound later, by the Belfast Society for Promoting Knowledge. Dating back to 1788, this is known now as the Linen Hall Library, and it's the oldest library in the city. How and why they ditched it, I can’t tell you. The book has been lovingly restored, has what look like original annotations on certain pages and even a map at the back that has been annotated in different colours by hand. And it cost me less than £10.

So what is it about? The subject is a very early account of the fighting against Napoleon in Spain, from the letters of General John Moore, which were complied for this by his brother James and dedicated to their mother…