| RefNo | HSF/2/1/62 |
| Previous numbers | 32.8.44 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from J H [John Herschel], Camp Bhawalpoor [Bahawalpur] States, to 'Dearest B' [Isabella Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 2 March 1862 |
| Description | This is John's last chance to send a letter with some chance of reaching a post office, because he is getting so far away from Bahawalpur. He has made up his mind to do without letters from perhaps a month, by which time he will be out of this country. His last batch of mail included Bella's letter of 15 January with Conny's [Constance Anne Herschel's] autograph. He discusses the poem 'The Highland Lassie' and the contrast between his situation and hers. The same post brought English newspapers and 'we have escaped that America business' [presumably the Trent affair, in the wider American Civil War] but John thinks that there will be other opportunities to be at loggerheads. He notes that Northern sympathies have suffered and he now has 'a strong antipathy to the Yankees', but thinks he has been led away by 'The Times' coverage. He considers that the political cartoons in 'Punch' are admirable, if too broad. There is no further news from Willy [William James Herschel] but he could not bear it if he did not come up-country. His concertina is a comfort, 'I don't know what I should have done without it - it keeps off the "blues" wonderfully'. |
| 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 |