In a fitted box. Navy cloth binding with gilt ornate design from the National Library of Scotland on the front board. Red title plate with gilt lettering and ornate banding on the spine.

Johnstone reportedly deposited his manuscripts in the Scots College, Paris, including Memoirs of the rebellion in 1745-46, translated into English and published in 1822. While full of complaints about the injustice of the world and often extremely self-centred, they are lively and include the occasional flash of insight. Like many, he disliked Prince Charles but although an admirer of Lord George Murray, he recorded his talents were offset by a quick temper, arrogance, and inability to take advice.

James Johnstone (1719 – c. 1791), also known as Chevalier de Johnstone or Johnstone de Moffatt, was the son of an Edinburgh merchant. He escaped to France after participating in the 1745 Rising; in 1750, he was commissioned in the colonial army and served in French North America.

His military career was undistinguished, and he remained a Lieutenant after ten years’ service. Following the loss of Quebec in 1760, he returned to France and left the army. There are few details on his later life and he is thought to have died sometime after 1791.

He is best remembered for his Memoirs of the rebellion in 1745 and 1746, first published in 1820.