| RefNo | HSF/2/3/26 |
| Previous numbers | 600/31/103 and 600/31/103A |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from John Herschel, Sedashipett [Sadashivpet], to [Mary Cornwallis Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 23 February 1872 |
| Description | He has her letters of 15th and 17th, and does not know what to say in answer. He thinks he has a knack of unintentionally writing things to grieve or vex her. He does not want to hurt and therefore abstains from comment, except to say he has no grievance against her. Herschel will write to the 'F of I' [Friend of India] saying that he has no knowledge of any authority under which the paper was sent and he has not been reminded by a bill. He will decline to acknowledge it unless they can convince that the bill is a just one. He may have ordered it for Collingwood in a fit of generosity but they must produce the order. He is pleased that her expedition to Lamb's Rock was successful. The people here do not go armed, Herschel states, but he has reported one case of defiance of authority to Hyderabad. He has resumed his habit of carrying a pistol, as a sowar guard would mean oppression and ill-will. It will be ten or eleven days before he can send post again from near to Nandair [Nauder] and he comments on postal services. The Rogers are encamped eight miles away but he does not think he will visit. He is now in a bungalow and comments upon the heat and roads. Sedashepet was the furthest south that [Andrew Scott] Waugh carried out the modern triangulation under the orders of Sir George Everest. Rogers is replacing Lambton's work and Branfill was doing the same. The Bedar base was Waugh's goal. He asks what Bella means by hoping that his bill [for the 'Friend of India'] is an imposition. He recalls subscribing for one year in advance only. He asks if Mary sends any account of him to Collingwood, and thinks that some of his letters would bear being read there. His days are spent marching and computing. Campbell is working with zest. There is longitude work of the highest order to be done between India and England he thinks. He may have to give up officiating salary of Colonel Waugh is back in India. He is not discontented other than going into snipe country with insufficient ammunition. |
| Extent | 8p. |
| 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 |