Record

HSF - Correspondence of Sir John Frederick William Herschel, and the Herschel family
- 3 - Letters of William James Herschel
  - 2 - Letters from William James Herschel to family members

RefNo	HSF/3/2/6
Level	Item
Title	Letter from William James Herschel, Culnah, to 'Dear Uncle' [Duncan Stewart]
Creator	Herschel; Sir William James; second baronet (1833-1917); British developer of fingerprinting and judge
Date	24 March 1854
Description	His uncle will be surprised to learn that he is only at Culna, having left Calcutta [Kolkata] five days ago. He has had a 'close shave'. At Suksangor he woke early and strolled the banks without his watch, shooting and skinning an eagle. His boat was gone on his return, but a man left to guide him to it. William walked two miles in the sun, which would eventually leave him 'in a regular fever'. He fainted and when he came to, fancied that the bearers getting him into the boat were dacoits [armed robbers] trying to choke him. He drew his Dean and Adams pistol and was fortunate that it had a strong trigger pull, since he and a bearer struggled for it, but it did not fire. On succeeding in getting them to leave, he recalled his faint and ordered them all back to Calcutta. They slept while William had more pills and tea, but were stirred to row through the night, getting him to Dr Bailey at Houghli. His fever was pronounced gone, but his stomach disordered by the pills. He recounts his care and further travels, now within twenty-four hours of Malda. He has been spending time skinning birds, reading French, German and Bengali books. He relates how he forgot his medicine chest, criticising the 'shabby fellows' Scott and Thompson for having no padlock on the chest, not tightening bottles properly, and providing no scales and lancets as promised. He asks his uncle to 'blow them up well' for the omissions.
Extent	12p.
Format	Manuscript
PhysicalDescription	Ink on paper
AccessStatus	Open

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