| RefNo | HSF/2/1/25 |
| Previous numbers | 32.8.10, 32.8.10A and 32.8.10B |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from J [John] Herschel, Darjeeling, to 'Dearest Maila' [Maria Sophia Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 3 February 1859 |
| Description | He is writing with the one pen now in the house. Three months ago John would have been able to say he was in India but not where. Darjeeling is a place where everyone longs to go, because it is in the hills, among the Himalayas. When he left England he hoped, but did not expect to meet Willy [William James Herschel]. Now, they are together in the last place he dreamt of being, 7,000 feet above sea level and with the highest mountain in the world in daily view. Cumberland and Wales look small in comparison. He describes and contrasts the peaks, including Kunchinjnga [Kangchenjunga], the rival to the highest, if not the highest of the Himalayas. He relates his travels, coming to Jungypore [Jangipur] after a fortnight in Calcutta [Kolkata] having obtained leave. He describes the method of travel by staged 'palki' [palanquin] with luggage slung on bamboos, providing a small diagram. It will take six days to get back to Calcutta, travelling twenty out of twenty-four hours, he estimates. He met Willy at Jungypore at the house of Duncan Stewart, whose character he notes via an anecdote. He describes being thrown from a horse on his way to duck-shooting; the groom reported the horse returned and erroneously that John had broken a leg. Duncan Stewart ignored his gout and rode a 'species cart' to find John shooting from an island in a swamp. Stewart returned on his elephant. The incident showed that Willy was in safe hands. John promises to send Alick [Alexander Stewart Herschel] an account of the birds, which have astonished him with their variety. He notes adjutant birds, kites, vultures and eagles, one of which carried off a duck he had shot, 'an immense brute'. He closes by mentioning that they are to go on an expedition tomorrow, to a mountain stream 5,000 feet below. |
| Extent | 10p. |
| 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 |