Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 22.djvu/398

Rh ,' 'Jane Seton,' and many more succeeded, and from that time to his death never a year passed without one, often two, and even three novels being produced. His latest works of fiction were 'Love's Labour Won' (1888), dealing with incidents of Burmese dacoity, and 'Playing with Fire' (1887), a story of the war in the Soudan. He wrote in all some fifty-six novels. A quick succession of incidents, much vivacity of style, and a dialogue that seldom flags characterise all of them. Those dealing with Scottish history embody considerable research, are vigorous and picturesque in style, and express much sympathy with the reckless daring, loyalty, and manliness of Scotch and border heroes. A charge of plagiarism has been brought against Grant owing to his having incorporated without acknowledgment a good many descriptive passages from a book of travels and campaigning in one of his novels. Grant, however, does not seem to have exceeded the license justly allowed a novelist of appropriating local colour for his fictions from graver writers (Athenæum, 9 Jan. 1875).

Grant wrote much and well on history, especially the history of his native land. The following are his works in this department of literature: 1. ‘Memoirs and Adventures of Sir W. Kirkaldy of Grange,’ 1849. 2. ‘Memorials of the Castle of Edinburgh,’ 1850. 3. ‘Memoirs and Adventures of Sir J. Hepburn,’ 1851. 4. ‘Memoirs of Montrose,’ 1858. 5. ‘The Cavaliers of Fortune, or British Heroes in Foreign Wars,’ 1859; reissued with title reversed, 1873. 6. ‘British Battles on Land and Sea,’ 1873; followed in 1884 by ‘Recent British Battles on Land and Sea.’ 7. ‘Illustrated History of India,’ 1876. 8. ‘Old and New Edinburgh,’ 1880; of this book over thirty thousand copies were sold in the United States. 9. ‘History of the War in the Soudan,’ 1885-6. 10. ‘The Tartans of the Clans of Scotland,’ 1886. 11. ‘Scottish Soldiers of Fortune,’ 1889 (posthumous).

In 1852 Grant founded and acted as secretary to the National Association for the Vindication of Scottish Rights, upholding its views steadily in spite of the ridicule heaped upon him by 'Punch' and many English newspapers. He was an energetic supporter of the volunteer movement, and one of the first to join its ranks. As an authority on military matters he was frequently consulted by the war office, and was examined as a witness in connection with the present territorial system, and many of his suggestions, such as the present facings of the British army, were adopted. The plans for the proposed alterations in Edinburgh Castle were also submitted to him. Grant married the eldest daughter of James Browne, LL.D.. and had two sons: James, who died before his father, and Roderick, a Roman catholic priest. He had himself embraced the Romish faith in 1875. He died 5 May 1887, at 25 Tavistock Road, London, at the age of sixty-five. His popularity had decayed before his death. He was modest and retiring, genial, intensely patriotic, and of strong religious susceptibilities; but with all his devotion to literature he died penniless.

[Grant's Works; Times, 7 May 1887; Scottish News, do.; Athenæum, 14 May 1887; Academy, do.; Scottish Review, art. 'Grant's Scottish Historical Novels,' by S. F. F. Veitch, January 1888; private information from Mr. F. J. Grant, Carrick Pursuivant; Saturday Review, 14 May 1887; Daily News, 7 May 1887.]  GRANT, JAMES HOPE (1808–1875), general, youngest son of Francis Grant of Kilgraston House, Perthshire, was born 22 July 1808 and educated at the high school, Edinburgh, and at Hofwyl, Switzerland. He received his first commission as cornet in the 9th lancers in 1826, in which regiment he remained until 1858, when he was promoted to the rank of major-general. His career represents an experience of India and China warfare such as falls to the lot of few. He became captain in May 1835. He was a first-rate performer on the violoncello, and in 1841 Major-general Lord Saltoun, a great lover of music, who had been appointed to command a portion of the British forces in the first Chinese war, was in quest of a brigade-major. Grant's musical skill would render him a welcome associate during the then tedious sea voyage. This consideration, added to Grant's high military reputation, secured his appointment to the vacant post. It is remarkable that Grant was unable to execute one intelligible stroke of the most mechanical sketching, while his brother the artist, Sir Francis [q. v.], was scarcely able to distinguish one bar of music from another. Grant served throughout the first Chinese war, and was present at the attack and capture of Chin-kiang-foo and at the landing before Nankin. He had attained the rank of regimental-major in 1842, and for his services in China was nominated a C.B. In 1844 he rejoined the 9th lancers, which meanwhile had proceeded to India. He served with his regiment during the Sutlej campaign of 1845-6, including the hard-fought battle of Sobraon. In 1848-9 he commanded his regiment throughout the greater part of the campaign in the Punjaub, wherein the 9th lancers were actively employed, especially at the passage of the Chenab at Ramnuggur, and the desperately contested battles of Chillianwallah and Goojerat.