| RefNo | HSF/2/3/9 |
| Previous numbers | 600/31/86 and 600/31/86A |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from John Herschel, Camp at XXVI, to [Mary Cornwallis Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 16 January 1872 |
| Description | He wonders whether he will find time to write home, being busy day and night. He notes payments to Indian workers, 'on the brink of mutiny owing to high prices'. Herschel gives an example of the deceit of a cart master, contracted at Bangalore; how he was interviewed and with responses to questions on spending. Herschel allows that there is scarcity and drought, but thinks he has exposed falsehoods easily and 'in times of scacity people sometimes have to learn to work on an empty stomach, or content themselves with food of an inferior quality'. He has agreed to give 'batta' [subsidence money] but has yet to decide on how much. It is 5 o'clock and Herschel must take down his tent and march to the river to cross it tomorrow. He will not observe for another ten to twelve days. He sends a Fortnightly and a Spectator, but the Oderland has not come. |
| Extent | 6p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7955 | Herschel; John (1837 - 1921) | 1837 - 1921 |