| RefNo | HSF/2/1/36 |
| Previous numbers | 32.8.20 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from J [John] Herschel, Roorkie [Roorkee], to 'Dearest Father' [John Frederick William Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 4 November 1859 |
| Description | He was just about to write to his father when the expected letter from Colonel [Andrew Scott] Waugh arrived, confirming John's appointment as 2nd Assistant to the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India. He is now started on his real Indian career, therefore. He has been happy in his present position as subaltern in the Corps of Bengal Sappers and Miners, but considered it a temporary position and never felt quite settled. Now he has succeeded in what he had hoped for. Colonel Waugh's private letter is too long to copy, but as with all of his letters, extremely kind. John is to join at Mussoorie where he is promised a hearty welcome and to consider Waugh's house his Indian home. Among his guests is Major [Henry Edward Landor] Thuillier who came up with his son. Thuillier was very kind to John in Calcutta [Kolkata]. He gives an extract from Waugh's letter, which says that John would be joining [James Palladio] Basevi and [James] Walker, and giving instructions. His father should not expect to hear much from John in the next few mails. He asks that Alick [Alexander Stewart Herschel] is told that the books of [William Stephen Raikes] Hodson's 'Life' and [Hans Christian] Andersen's 'Marchen' have arrived on his birthday. |
| Extent | 4p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7955 | Herschel; John (1837 - 1921); Colonel; military engineer, surveyor and astronomer | 1837 - 1921 |