| Description | William writes a longer letter since Alick has not received a personal one for six months and he continues his adventures from where he left off. He notes seldom going out without his gun and Mr Dawes' telescope, to shoot. His mother's last letter, containing his father's report on the Royal Mint, and Beadon's letter, seemed to imply that he was too careless about the Sun, but he has too much respect for his health, giving details. His expeditions begin at dawn, his 'Thugslayer' [pistol] in his belt, a rifle and a bearer to carry ammunition. He describes shooting a fish eagle from horseback, which he could only examine, not preserve them, since he had no arsenic. Now, he does not shoot birds unless he intends to stuff them. He has just sent off for shipment via Calcutta {Kolkata] the relics of a collection he put together, since he thought Alick would be curious to see some things from India, noting their state of preservation. They include a peacock's tail, an eagle, weaver bird nests, and the skin of a boa constrictor. William is now in Mofussil on business, but on his return he will pack up another box of curiosities. He returns to his descriptions of hunting water birds, and then alligators [crocodiles]. He describes walkingout with Gray and unsuccessfully shooting at a reptile. William has been called again to aid the bailiff in taking indigo from Mr Wight, and he hasd explained this in a half-written letter to his father. He thanks Alick for an account of his father's movements and says that he has asked to be moved to Rampore Beauleah [Rampur Boalia] where the magistrate is better disposed. |