| Description | Commencing with the carelessness of the postal system he describes the Rahtores [Rathores?], their habits and loyalty, 'a full blown Pagan whom you might trust implicitly'. His head man declared that he could break any lock quietly, and he was given a Chubb which he opened with a sound only just heard 20 feet away. He describes the technique, saying how extraordinary it was. He likes police work as it suits his temperament. He outlines his recent work and those parts he dare not trust to another, as it would result in failures and acquittals. He comments on the climate, 90 degrees at 6.00pm and 104 at 4.00pm. The billiard room progresses and he is more reconciled to Akola, which is becoming more sociable. He intends to buy some musical instruments at Bombay [Mumbai] for amusement apart from reading, including Norton's 'Law of Evidence'. He describes the railway route intended to link the North West with Bombay, with Akola opening in about a month. He notes his own, and Herschel's, reserve; police work has done him some good, but also harm, in making him more circumspect and suspicious. He is messing together with Burton at the Dak bungalow; he is a good fellow but lazy. He writes about his aunt's character, 'the old General', and a row involving his sister and Hennessey. [John Baboneau Nickterlien] Hennessey wrote him a determined letter, stating that after his marriage he would refuse to have any communication with them as a family. He has replied, tryng to avert this, and he discusses the matter in depth. He sends Herschel an article he has written for the Bombay Gazette of 11 March about 'the general transactions in our village'. |