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Lot Essay
The present watercolour relates closely to a later version in the India Office Library, reproduced in V.P. Hodson, Historical Records of the Governor-General's Bodyguard, London, 1919, no. 50. The India Office version was painted when Major F.A. Daniell was commandant of the Bodyguard, whereas the present watercolour depicts the review during Montgomery's period as commandant, immediately preceding Daniell.
Montgomery served at Ballygunge from 1801 to 1802 and the Asiatic Annual Register records the event as follows: 'On Saturday evening 24th int. (May) the Bodyguard dismounted was inspected by the Right Honourable Governor-General on the esplanade, preparatory to the review of the Corps which took place on Monday morning to the Southward of the Fort. His Lordship was received on the ground at sun-rise, under a salute of 17 guns from the gallopers..' (Hodson op. cit., pp. 39-40).
Montgomery served at Ballygunge from 1801 to 1802 and the Asiatic Annual Register records the event as follows: 'On Saturday evening 24th int. (May) the Bodyguard dismounted was inspected by the Right Honourable Governor-General on the esplanade, preparatory to the review of the Corps which took place on Monday morning to the Southward of the Fort. His Lordship was received on the ground at sun-rise, under a salute of 17 guns from the gallopers..' (Hodson op. cit., pp. 39-40).