Printed 'Regulations for the Admission of Gentlemen Cadets into the Royal Military College, near Bagshot. January 1st, 1852.' With one other printed item and four manuscript items relating to John Miller Dickson's attempt to join the British army.

The collection is in good condition, with occasional light creasing. The 'Regulations' ('ON HER MAJESTY'S SERVICE') consist of four pages printed on a folio bifolium. The other printed item, in facsimile handwriting, dated '15.11.51' (and dated in manuscript 'Horse Guards 1st. February 1853'), on three pages of a folio bifolium, is a 'Memorandum of the points upon which [Mr John Miller Dickson] will have to be examined when selected by The General Commanding in Chief for a Commission in the Army.' The first two letters (both 12mo: the first of 2 pp and the second of 1 p), of 4 February and 1 October 1852, are written to William Dickson in the same secretarial hand, and signed by ', Royal Military College, Bagshot. The first letter acknowledges the placing of Dickson's 'Ward' (evidently J. M. Dickson) on the list of candidates for admission to the College, requests his baptismal certificate, and gives an appointment for his examination. The second letter states that, as J. M. Dickson has been forced to decline admission 'on account of ill health', he will be 'ineligible by age to enter the Institution', but that no expense has been incurred. The third letter (folio: 2 pp), dated 1 February 1853, Horse Guards, on behalf of Lieutenant General Henry Shadforth, states that 'Viscount Hardinge will be happy to note Mr John Miller Dickson for an Ensigncy by purchase, but from the great number of names already recorded it will necessarily be a considerable time before His Lordship is able to introduce him into the Army.' He is enclosing second printed item in this collection. Letter four (folio: 1 p), 7 July 1854, Horse Guards, by C. Yorke (later Field-Marshall, see DNB) on behalf of General Shadforth, complies with J. M. Dickson's request that his name be 'erased from the List [of candidates for commissions by purchase'. Docketed twice on the reverse by 'H[enry] S[hadforth]': first, to inform William Dickson that he is 'truly sorry for the Cause which has occasioned this notification'. And secondly to note that 'I took upon me to assure Lord Hardinge that Mr J M Dickson and his Friends as well as myself were quite sensible of the favor conferred upon Him [...]'.