| Description | He has just been to see [Lewis?] Conway Gordon off on the steamer. Johnny [John Herschel] places too high a value on him, William thinks. John has sent a grumpy letter, leaving Mussoorie for Dehra Dun, where he expects to be lonely, but he will not name his 'fair enslavers'. William worried that John would fall head over heels in love as soon as he arrived in India, but he has an 'honest heart' and will make a good choice. He and Gordon agree that John is on his way to marrying. William is thinking seriously about John and how to get to him. William is in good health at Calcutta, althought he notes the loss of [William] Waterfield. 'Pundit' was cut by the news that his family thought he ought to have gone home. William has fixed on the first steamer in May to go home, but he wishes to see John first. However he hesitates, as the Secretaryship of the past four months has shown him the weakness of his business habits and powers, and wishes to give a better impression of command over his work before he goes. He thinks he will apply for leave to see John on 15 December as he has had an account from Major Walker that John may have a heart condition. William himself has had an attack from want of exercise, which has been put right. He discusses Maria [Sophia Herschel], says that Waterfield's plans are not fixed, while Cowrie and Maggie have just retruned from a trip to sea. |