| RefNo | HSF/2/3/10 |
| Previous numbers | 600/31/88 and 600/31/88A-B |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from John Herschel, Muktul, to [Mary Cornwallis Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 19-20 January 1872 |
| Description | He is not getting on as quickly as expected, having to drag twelve carts across the river. There were four more miles to go before the camp ground, but fortunately there was a bungalow. The country 'must be a foretaste of hell in the hot weather'. He comments upon the noise of children and on postal arrangements. He has made a copy map for her [not present] to explain where he is. He is having to make short marches because of the sandy state of the tracks. This sort of life is less to his taste: he cannot drive men and there is no leading them. He rarely looks at his books because of the trouble it takes to unload them. [From 20 January] There is a boisterous Indian cavalry regiment in front of the bungalow and their horses scream and fight continuously. He discusses the post and his receipt of letters and explains the difference between his contingent bills and salary bills, and payment of expenses. He comments upon food and drink, noting that he tales little wine or brandy, sometimes claret and water because plain water is 'nauseous'. He thinks that he and Mary are better apart. He has received the 'Astronomical phenomena' and he comments upon that. He is thankful that Mary is not with him, as he would have to make her put up with hardships, and he has little time other than that for observing. Her accounts of her well-being are doubly welcome, therefore. He refers to her ferns, April being the limit of his work, and sending her mails for the Tichborne reports. |
| Extent | 12p. |
| 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 |