Autograph manuscript of part of his “Autobiographic Sketches. Selections Grave and Gay from Writings published and Unpublished”. by DE QUINCEY, THOMAS (1785-1859; Author of “Confessions of an Opium Eater”):

Written on both sides of a single leaf cut from the middle of a larger sheet, the text commences on one side, “of the case, and would have been executed in a summary way, upon the prima facie evidence against him, that he did not appear to be in the condition of a prisoner; and, if his name had ever again reached his country, it would have been in some sad list of ruffians, murderers, traitors to their country…………” and finishes, “……roused from their slumbers by the glare of conflagration, reflected from gleaming cutlasses and from the faces of demons. This fear it was--a fear like this, as I have often thought…” The second side commences, “I have said that he would not have appeared to any capturing ship as standing in the situation of prisoner amongst the pirates, nor was he such in the sense of being confined. He moved about, when on board ship, in freedom……………” and finishes, “… Much, therefore, it was that he owed to this accomplishment. Still, there is no good thing without its alloy; and this great blessing brought along with it something worse than a dull duty - the necessity, in fact, of facing fears and trials to which the sailor's heart is preeminently…”Both the above forming part of Chapter XII, “My Brother” of “Autobiographic Sketches” first published in 1853. Approximately 500 words with much crossing out, alterations and revisions. The leaf 4 x 7½ inches.