| RefNo | HSF/2/3/18 |
| Previous numbers | 600/31/95 and 600/31/95A |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from John Herschel, [station] XXVII, to [Mary Cornwallis Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 5 February 1872 |
| Description | His letter consists of enclosures and he apologises for opening the collected letters from home; he did not notice the corner note in Maria's and they were sent to him by the 'Bombay King' despite being addressed to Mary. That morning's post-bag was heavy, including the Saturday Review and the Royal Society Proceedings which he will send. Observing has recommenced. He did not receive a letter from Mary. He intends to 'kick up such a dust' in the Accountant General's Department, having received circulars under which trigonometrical officers are supposed to operate. He outlines this, and its obvious drawbacks, concluding that he did well to provide himslef with coin since there is no prospect of getting more. He asks if she thinks Julia 'has him there' in repartee, and does not see the wit of the new language, giving an explanation. Last night he was interrupted by a chorus of jackals. He responds to Mary's question on why he dislikes Madras: there are many kinds of shooting there, but villagers shout all day to keep birds from crops, and scare deer and pigs during the night. He has shot nothing, therefore. |
| Extent | 7p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7955 | Herschel; John (1837 - 1921) | 1837 - 1921 |