Index of Whaley Memoirs.

Buck Whaley will always be remembered in Dublin as the man who, for a bet, played handball against the walls of Jerusalem. I've known the bare bones of the story since I was a child and it was pleasure to stumble across his Memoirs. There's very little about Dublin in it but it is hugely entertaining. Chapter I races along and is by far the most readable.
In general he had a low opinion of foreigners - they're frankly expressed and not even remotely politically correct. If you want to read the story in Buck's words avoid reading the Preface as it gives the story away. I've scoured the Internet for a picture of Buck but couldn't find one - if one exists I'd love to know.
According to one site I visited the Memoirs begin with the words: "I was born with strong passions, a lively imagination and a spirit that could brook no restraint" - it doesn't, but it should have.

KF, September 16, 2000

Preface by Sir Edward Sullivan, Bart. A Notice from Buck Whaley.  
Chapter I. Introduction - My Birth - My Mother's Character - My Own - A Journey to France - To Auch - The House Establishment of an Englishman in Foreign Countries - A French Bishop - A Match Proposed - An Intrigue - A Journey to Marseilles - To Lyons - An Acquaintance with Gamblers - Honesty of a Foreign Banker - Paris - A French Courtezan - An Assignation - My Stepfather Introduced. Chapter 6. Departure from Constantinople - The Dardanelles - Ancient Troy - Return to Smyrna - Homer's Cavern - Population of Smyrna - Ephesus - The River Meander - Fogia Nova - Scio - Patmos - A Greek Seminary - St. John the Evangelist - St. John of Acre - Nazareth - The Church of the Annunciation - The Governor of Nazareth. Chapter V. Departure from Cyprus - Character and Manners of the Modern Greeks - Crete - Arrival at Marseilles - The Lazaretto - Paris - Dublin - Brighton - English Blacklegs - A Scuffle with Opposition - The French Revolution, etc. - A French Gambling-house - Kingts Return from Varenne; etc.-Reflections on Gaming, etc.
Chapter II. My Return to Dublin - An Extraordinary Wager - A Sea Journal - Description of an Albacore - The Moorish Fleet - Gibralter - The Grand Battery - St. George's Hall - Poco Roco, or Eliott's Parlour - Ince's Gallery - Willis's Battery, or Queen's Gallery - The King's Bastion - St. Michael's Cave - Some remarks on Gibralter. Part 2.
Chapter I. Departure from Nazareth - Genia [? Jenin] - Its Governor - Napolosa - Its Ruins - Jerusalem - Its History - Conquered by King David - By Nebuchadnezzar - By Cyrus - By Pompey - By Titus - Demolished by Adrian - Who Lays the Foundation of a new City - Jerusalem taken by Omar		 Chapter VI. A Journey to Switzerland - Lausanne - The Glaciers - Mr. B.-Some Observations on the Swiss - Their Candour - Their Bravery - Their Honesty - National Honour - Public Justice - Geneva - Milan - Florence - Rome - Some Reflections on Italy.
Chapter III. The Sea Voyage resumed - The Island of St. Peter - Sicily - Mount Olympus - A Storm - Smyrna - A Tendour - L'Avant Souper - The Custom-House - A Caravan - A Mosque - A Turkish Bath - A Lead-foundry - Character of Pauolo, my Servant - A Turkish Burying - Ground - Journey to Constantinople - Magnesia - Its Governor - Preparations for a Battle. Chapter II. Jerusalem continued - The Temple of the Resurrection - The Holy Sepulchre - The House of Pontius Pilate - The House of Herod - The Armenian Convent - Mount of Olives - The Fountain of Silva - Journey to Bethlehem - The Valley of the Giants - Fons Signatus - The Convent of Terra Sancta - Basilica di Santa Maria - The Street of the Cross. Chapter VII. My Return to Paris - The Valois Club - The King's Trial - His Death - The Duke of Orleans - A Duel - Egalité - Lisle - Brussels-The Theatre - Calais - A Journey to Ostend - to Dover - to London - Conclusion.
Chapter IV. Constantinople - Pera - Dancing Boys - The Grand Signior's Procession to St. Sophia - View of Constantinople - The Grand Signior's Barges - Mosque of St. Sophia - The Character of Capitan Pasha - Our Reception - The Turkish Fleet - Dervishes - The Seraglio. Chapter III. Departure from Jerusalem - Attacked by Arabs - Napolosa [Neapolis] - Its Governor - Its Various Names and Revolutions - Origin of the Samaritans - Difficulties in Leaving Napolosa - Character of the Arabs - Arrival at St. John of Acre - Caiffa. Conclusion.
Chapter V. Constantinople, continued - Pera - Its Antiquities - Obelisks - Cistern of Basilica - The Slave Market - The Coffee Manufactory - The Watch-Tower - The Seven Towers - Ramaden - A Bath for the Ladies - Character of the Turks - Dress - The Ladies - Their Food - Their Diversions - Arts and Sciences - A Turkish Billet-Doux - The Plague - The Police - The Grand Signior - Public Buildings - Marriages - Janissaries. Chapter IV. Departure from Acre - Cyprus - Its General History - Character of its present Inhabitants, etc Appendix.