An album of manuscript copies of letters from and to Dr John Login, written in the course of and relating to his guardianship of Maharajah Duleep Singh variously London, Scotland, Venice and Geneva, April 1857-April 185821 leaves, the remaining three-quarters of the album unused and blank, marbled covers, calf spine, label to front cover 338 x 228 mm. Footnotes:The first few letters in this collection deal with the return of the party from Italy, during which both Duleep Singh and others fell ill in Venice. This episode is also related by Lady Login in her memoir (lot 232). On 27th April 1857 Login wrote to India House that 'His Highness is I am thankful to say getting on very well and will be quite strong enough to travel in a few days and to undergo any ordinary fatigue'. Writing from Turin on 3rd May, Login arranged to meet Sir Robert Menzies in Paris about letting Castle Menzies in Perthshire for the use of the Maharajah. On 7th May (at Geneva) Duleep Singh had not quite recovered from the effects of fever at Venice, Padua and Milan. They would stop only at Paris on the way back to England. On the 8th Login was arranging for a smooth process through Customs. Much of the album is concerned with matters relating to the letting of property, and the matter of the settlement - all written in verbose Victorian language. A letter of 28th May discusses the important subject of Login's salary. In early June there is further disagreement over the lease of Castle Menzies. He writes to an Edinburgh firm of solicitors. A letter of 29th July deals with the transfer of monies. On August 7th a letter for the first time makes reference to the Mutiny: 'Although much against his will, the Maharajah has given up the intention of asking the East India Company Council's permission to return to India in December, even in the event of the revolt being completely suppressed by that time, as he fully expects'. While not wishing to disturb the Council at a time when they have other things to think about, he notes that Duleep Singh has 'expressed his anxiety to have a place of his own', and that they have been looking all over Scotland. A few days later (10th) he writes to the Chairman of the Council about the settlement. He had called at India House, but the directors were not available (one can readily imagine that they had much on their minds in 1857): 'the intelligence of the Meerut Mutiny arrived and I did not like to intrude on the work of the Chairman or Deputy, while engaged in more important matters'. Login also writes in October to a person representing the interests of Indian converts to Christianity who had suffered in the uprising.By early November, however, he was dealing with the minutiae of estate management at Auchlyne, a country house on Loch Tay which was rented for a short time. On Boxing Day 1857 he was instructing solicitors to offer 250 guineas for the rent of 68 Westbourne Terrace in London for five months, as well as enquiring about other properties.In an undated letter (but in early 1858) he was arranging for a pair of opera glasses to be made as a gift for the Princess Royal, to the value of between £350 and £400 (a maximum of £400) - 'and that it ought at least to be ready by the 20th - Maharajah hopes to be at Claridge's before that time'. Further problems with the payment of bills were dealt with in a letter of 8th February, as well as further estate matters ('I would much like to have your advice as to the disposal of the cows...'). Shortly after this, however, he lays out for the benefit of India House the matter of the Maharajah taking on control of his property, and the relinquishing of his role as Superintendent of Duleep Singh's affairs. He is also much concerned about the exact terms under which the Maharajah's accounts should be audited. He embarks on a survey of his role from his appointment in 1849, in 'the general management of his affairs'; 'management of its details was left in the hands of native officials placed near his person... I was led to consider myself in the position of other officers appointed to act as agents for the Government with deposed Princes of high rank...' For which, he says, he was given an allowance of Rs. 1200 a month.'It was then also determined by the Governor General in Council that the Rs. 600 for such of my allowances should only be charged in the public accounts to the Government of India, as Agent with the Maharajah, and the remaining moiety deducted from His Highness' allowance in consideration of my superintendence and guardianship'.'Under this arrangement it has continued ever since and although the circumstance of His Highness' having led to embrace the Christian faith, and to adopt European habits, has tended gradually to place me and my family in closer relation to His Highness than has ever before happened in the case of any Native Prince with an officer of the Government, and to cause the office of Guardian during his minority to become the principal one, any duties as agent to the Government personally attached to His Highness do not in my opinion necessarily cease on the attainment of his majority, the only changes which appear to me immediately consequent thereon being the cessation of my duty as guardian, in charge of his establishment...'Login seems awkward, if not slightly desperate, to justify his role, and is clearly aware of the power of the Company: '...my only object being to explain the exact relation in which I stand to His Highness and the Government... in my opinion my appointment as Agent of the Government does not necessarily cease when the Maharajah becomes entitled to manage his own affairs'.'I might be made useful,' he says, 'during the time I am permitted to continue in receipt of allowances, to assist the Honble. Court in the Superintendence of their Oriental Princes'...'On this point however I would beg to speak with becoming deference, I am only anxious to bring before the Court the true nature of my position to His Highness, in the hope that whatever may be considered most beneficial for his interests may be determined upon.'On 18th February 1858, he writes to Duleep Singh directly:'Sir, Having been instructed by the Honble Court of Directors of the East India Company [...] that your Highness had been permitted to assume the arrangement of your own affairs, I have the honour to request that you will do me the favour to appoint a person to receive charge of the property which has been entrusted to me'. Duleep Singh replied the same day, agreeing.On the 25th, the Maharajah wrote himself to the Directors, from Claridge's, 'with their permission, to proceed on an excursion to the Island of Sardinia, and to be absent from England...' Login is left to give testimony, in the wake of the Mutiny, to British officials regarding the loyalty of Indian servants at the Maharajah's old establishment at Fategarh, with a list of their qualities and suggested gratuities. On 22nd and 26th March he submits his accounts to the Company. The final letter in the album (9th April) passes on to a bailiff a request from the Maharajah about shooting in Yorkshire. Login's language is never less than highly formal, and his long-winded concern over the propriety of the accounts, and his exposition of his exact position as 'superintendent' of the Maharajah might be regarded as the epitome of the proverbially incorruptible British official. For further background information regarding the Logins' relation with Duleep Singh, and the complications of the settlement, see P. Bance, The Duleep Singhs, Stroud 2004, esp. pp. 25-35; and ibid., Sovereign, Squire and Rebel: Maharajah Duleep Singh, London 2009, esp. pp. 37-47.... 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