Travel
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Giraffes
Although the Romans had recorded Giraffes, it wasn't until 1827 that one arrived in Britain. In 1826 Muhammad Ali, the Ottoman viceroy in Egypt, presented a Nubian giraffe to both Charles X of France and George IV of England and, two years later, to the Hapsburg emperor Franz II of Austria. The British gift, unseen by the public, died 2 years later at Windsor Castle.
Note Napoleon Bonaparte's signature. Perhaps this book gave the family the idea of naming the show cabinet in the Breakfast Room, Napoleon's tomb. Found in the Library XLVIII.B.10 with the 1st Baron Brownlow's bookmark within.
Copies of original letters from the army of General Bonaparte in Egypt
During the Egyptian expedition, English and Turkish boats captured French vessels carrying letters from the men of the army and scientists. The English chancery read these missives carefully, which gave an excellent impression of the state of the French army in Egypt, their morale, their plans and the difficulties they were encountering. A part of this correspondence was private, for example, in one letter, Bonaparte complains about Josephine’s coquetry!
A selection of the letters were published in three parts between 1798 and 1800
Link to Google Books version.
Ancient Egyptians
First published in 1837, did these three volumes inspire the 3rd Earl Brownlow to make his way down the Nile Between January and March 1897, as recorded in his diaries?
Around the World with the Custs
Robert Needham Cust collected all the places visited by the surviving Custs into this volume in 1905. All appear to be written in the hand of the family member.
Here are a small sample.
William Coldingham Masters Nicholson (1863-1932), Commander RN, fought at the Battle of Jutland. Admiral1925. Married Margaret Mary Ernestine Dorothy Cust in 1900. She was the great-grand daughter of the first Earl Brownlow by his second son, Charles.
Aleen Cust 1868-1937. Britain's first veterinarian surgeon. She became the first woman to join the RCVS Register in 1922, following the passing of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919. Biography & images here.
Captain Sir Charles Leopold Cust Bt, RN, GCVO, CB CMG (1864-1931), right.
Grandson of Sir Edward Cust. He served in the Royal Navy and also served as Equerry in Waiting to King George V. He was the third and Last Baronet of Leasowe, Cheshire.
Henry John Cockayne-Cust, JP, DL (1861-1917), left.
Descended from Henry, the spare heir & younger brother of the 1st Ear Brownlow. He was in line to take over Belton on the death of the childless, 3rd Earl Brownlow. He predeceased the Earl and his younger brother became the 5th Baron Brownlow.
The 3rd Earl Brownlow (1844-1921) and his Countess Adelaide (1844-1917).