The Secret Dispatch; or, The Adventures of Captain Balgonie: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Secret Dispatch; or, The Adventures of Captain Balgonie: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Secret Dispatch; or, The Adventures of Captain Balgonie is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Grant, James (1822–1887).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Secret Dispatch; or, The Adventures of Captain Balgonie" by James Grant is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. This tale intertwines a narrative of intrigue and adventure set against the backdrop of 18th-century Russia, focusing on Captain Charlie Balgonie, a young Scottish officer maneuvering through the complexities of imperial service under Catherine the Great. The story hints at themes of loyalty, ambition, and the clash of personal desires with political machinations. The opening of this novel introduces Captain Balgonie, who finds himself lost and desperate on the banks of the frigid Louga River in Western Russia. Disoriented and cold, he debates whether to attempt a dangerous river crossing, revealing both his bravery and his precarious situation. He is on an important mission carrying a secret dispatch for the Empress, yet he is being misled by his treacherous guide, Corporal Podatchkine. After a perilous journey, Balgonie succeeds in crossing the river and arrives at a distant castle, where the narrative hints at impending alliances, romantic entanglements, and political conspiracies that will shape his fate. The mix of adventure and burgeoning romance with Natalie Mierowna, a captivating character in the Count's household, sets the stage for further developments in the unfolding story.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Secret Dispatch; or, The Adventures of Captain Balgonie
- Author credits: Grant, James (1822–1887)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Russia -- History -- 1801-1917 -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Adventure
- Category: Historical Novels
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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