| RefNo | HSF/2/1/54 |
| Previous numbers | 32.8.37 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from J [John] Herschel, Camp on board a boat going down the Indus, nr. Dera Ghazee [Ghazi] Khan, to 'Dearest Mother' [Margaret Brodie Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 5 December 1860 |
| Description | He writes hurriedly and asks to be forgiven, having not written for two months. 'Ever since I left Murree I have been gadding about'. Supervising a large party is new to him and he is hard worked. He started a letter to his father but did not complete it and he feared his descriptions of Kashmir would disappoint. He has been sent to repeat observations from last season with a bigger instrument, and assures her that the responsibility is ordinary business and not flattering to him. Part of the revision work was in the upper Sind Sagor Doab and having done this he proceeded by boat from Kalabagh and he is now approaching the spot where he first saw the Indus on 1 January, the ferry at Dera Ghazee [Ghazi] Khan, where he must post the letter he is writing in half an hour. They travel forty or fifty miles per hour in a day by boat, removing to the bank at sunset. The oarsmen make writing difficult. He and Thuillier are sharing a cramped boat and it will take five more days to reach their destination. He thinks that the furthest point south will be the frontier boundary between Sind and Derajat, but it is possible they may have to go further south. If that does not happen he will return in a month to commence a new series, 'The Sutlej Series' from near Mittun Kote up the left bank of the Sutlej river. He concludes with a new address for mail.
With an endorsement: 'Received at Hawkhurst Jan 6th 1861'. |
| Extent | 4p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7955 | Herschel; John (1837 - 1921) | 1837 - 1921 |