| Description | He gives a description of Akola, about 250 miles south of Nagpur. It is a desolate place, the soil well adapted for cotton, but hardly anything else is grown there. He notes the price of cotton and the black soil, which can be impassible in rain. There is an abundance of game however, and he gives a list of animals from tigers down to black partridge. He has been out on three expeditions 'thief catching' but has found time for some sport and notes the kills. He has just returned from an investigation of a highway robbery, which turned out to be an assault, and he describes this. He gives details of a burglary and a murder, arresting and convicting six men, with an account of his investigation into the murder. His rank is Assistant Superintendent and he states his pay grade at Herschel's request. He gives an unflattering description of the Superintendent and their conflicts. He describes the district as one of the largest in India and considers its economy. He asks if Herschel follows the Bombay [Mumbai] papers, 'as there will be an awful smash there soon'. He is contemplating a visit to England next year and discusses local amusements such as billiards and hunting. He will run over Herschel's letter again in the office but he heard from his aunt 'of the last scene in the drama'. He thinks the matter shocking and he agrees with Herschel about the parson, no man has the right to speak the way he did. The parson said as much about Mrs K to Mr Lambert, that she was 'past redemption'. Nicholson was shut up by Lambert's retort, quoted here. He has long had conversation with Nicholson with feelings 'akin to digust'. He gives a character assessment of Alcock, 'a most peculiar fellow'. He asks to be remembered to friends and he has run out of news. |