| Description | He thinks that this may be his last letter from Midnapore. He had hoped to stay until May, but he now has orders to go to Dinagepore [Uttar Dinajpur] and these have not been cancelled. He has grown fond of his current location, but will go since it is a promotion. Three months as officiating judge would pay for his passage to England, but he would rather stay where he was. He has fixed leave for the second steamer in May. The family [William's siblings] are now all 'sober and wise' and thinking towards the second half of their lives. He recalls a conversation with Bella before he left for India, at the 'white gate'. He responds to Bella's cheering letter giving news of the whooping cough that has 'laid hold of Collingwood'. He has heard from Fancy that the New Year card is to be kept up if fine style and he asks for a sketch of it. He gives other family news from correspondents. William is scheming to go home via Bombay [Mumbai] in order to see Alexander Gordon. Bishop [Robert] Milman has been there and William gives a description of him. William concludes that 'he gave a good address & was thought sensible if ugly'. He asks Bella to tell his mother he was glad she liked the chance of improving the garden and he gives greetings to other family members. |