| RefNo | HSF/2/3/59 |
| Previous numbers | 600/31/127 and 600/31/127A-B |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from John Herschel, [station] XXXVIII, to [Mary Cornwallis Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 23 April 1872 |
| Description | He has received a telegram from Mary 'Just come all well' and is relieved. He has just finished work at 3.00am and slept on the ground until daylight, then taking down the sector. The camp will move on that night and work has been unexpectedly successful. He had a headache and injected himself in a vein at about noon, followed by laudanum and sal volatile at 4.00pm. By working quietly the opium took effect and he was 'spry' by 12.00 and got through the night. Herschel is living on tea, rice and soup. He will contain himself for a few days until he hears how Mary arrived at Bangalore. He has heard from [John Baboneau Nickterlien] Hennessey that Colonel W [Andrew Scott Waugh] is detained in England on Map Department duties. The bad weather has not returned and the heat is becoming fierce again. He will try to get away the same day he finishes at station XXXIX, taking down the sector by moonlight. Everything can be taken to the railway station by morning. He was sorry to hear that Mrs Stanley's tending has ended sadly.
[Postscript sheet?] Mary will have a telegram on the 26th is he does start that day. Her Good Friday letters went to Coringa and reached him on 15 April. He recommends that she reads Mr Morse's two letters on the 'Alabama'. |
| Extent | 6p. |
| 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 |