| Description | His mother's letters are coming again and he has received hers and his father's written on Christmas Day. William and Emma spent their Christmas at his old station of Nuddea, with Grey, McNeile and others, including [Augustus] Rivers Thompson. His father mentioned he expected William to be 'pounced on for Cyclone Relief work'. William's district suffered the most and he is now in camp examining the state of crops in 300 square miles of countryside swept by the storm wave. There is a surviving crop, but no-one to cut it. The rains have begun to rot it and even though the calamity was four months ago, there remains the smell of death. Thousands have died of cholera, there is little water to drink, and this is heavily priced. He describes the lack of labour, looting and the vanishing of women and children. Estimates put the loss of life at between 60,000 and 100,000, William believing the higher figure to be nearer the truth. In his current tract, it is believed that 60,000 have been lost from a population of 85,000. He has been told that in his ride that morning, he will see bones of men in trees, where the floods left them. In contrast, William describes the Agricultural Exhibition at Midnapore, where the Magistrate and Collector is the key person in proceedings. It was a great success given the circumstances and there will be a better display next year. The judge was Hobhouse, who made an excellent speech, proposing a Fair to go with the Exhibition next year. William must mount his elephant for his circuit, describing his narrow escape from a falling cart, and saying he will be able to walk again soon. Johnny [John Herschel] is all right again and Mrs Gordon recovering from her accident. He encloses a note [HSF/3/13/3] asking Bella [Isabella Herschel] to be godmother to their first child. He will get answers to Alexander Gordon's enquiries from Cowrie. The Irrigation Company is working hard in the district and their engineers have admitted grave mistakes in their scheme. The scheme is not a bubble, but William considers it will break down and will require reconstitution. |