Chinese Opium Wars interest: An early Victorian 18ct gold box, Charles Reily & George Storer, London 1843, of shaped oblong form engraved throughout with scrolling foliage, a vacant cartouche to the cover, the inner cover inscribed 'China 1842, Major General Lord Saltoun, to M Bardin, Esq're, 98th Reg't', 7.5cm x 5cm approximately 110g/Note: Michael Bardin (1805-1844) joined the 53rd (Shropshire) Regiment of Foot as Assistant Surgeon in 1829. He transferred to the 98th Regiment of Foot in 1840. Alexander George Fraser, Baron Saltoun (1785-1853) is best remembered for his endeavours during the Peninsular Wars and in particular for holding the garden and orchard at Hougoumont against the French onslaught. Saltoun lost two thirds of his men and had four horses shot from under him on the day of the battle. In 1841 he received a command in the first 'Opium War' with China, he fought at the Battle of Chinkiang (1842) the last major battle of the war. It is thought that Saltoun had some sort of accident in early 1842 and that this box was a thank you to Bardin for his medical assistance.