| Description | He has not followed up his last letter as speedily as he would have liked, because of splendid weather and Indian news. John [Herschel] speaks of several years of labour in collecting and selecting the letters and there is the serious question of who is to do it. He does not wish to guess her wishes but thinks everyone who can join in should be employed around her. He has written to Campbell to say he will go out [to India] in January, therefore he can only take a hearty interest in the work. Alick [Alexander Herschel] is fully engaged, but John is willing, although he will not pledge himself to the work. If his mother is happy with that they should tell John at once. They have been favoured by the weather and he is looking forward to Collingwood, asking if it a good time to come. It is more than twenty years since he and John walked there together, but he does not wish to make a squeeze. He telegraphed John to ask about Mary and he thanks his mother for accounts of baby Arthur. He gives news of Julia and Campbell. William has begged for a magistracy or for famine work. He asks her to write, with much to settle. |