Record

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

RefNo	HSF/3/3/6
Level	Item
Title	Letter from William James Herschel, Maldah [Malda], to 'My dearest Father' [Sir John Frederick William Herschel]
Creator	Herschel; Sir William James; second baronet (1833-1917); British developer of fingerprinting and judge
Date	6 March 1855
Description	He gives thanks for the glass dishes, which he hopes to have soon, regretting the trouble thay have caused. He could get none in India, not even large enough dinner plates for the silver and other solutions. He may have more commissions, since it is 'heartbreaking' to see how English tradesmen treat their colonial customers, as they disregard the most detailed instructions. He refers to his father's financial advice regarding extravagances, leaving it to his father to send the concertina, when he deserves it. He refers to tiresome gossip and his reaction to it: 'I seize Craster's horn, wanting through the instrument be in harmony & play away'. Reading may be more useful, but it is not so powerful, and music 'seems to wash my ears out'. He considers himself among the more prudent men of his age in India. William is anxious to hear about his mother's and his father's health. His father is now free to work in his laboratory and Alick [Alexander Stewart Herschel] may help him in a year or two, so he may forget about the Royal Mint. He asks after Rosie [Matilda Rose Herschel]. He likes the 'Revue des Deux Mondes', expressing his dislike of the French language. He wonders why his father wanted to know the dimensions of his room. He hes not yet seen his new house in Beauleah [Rampur Boalia]. He has learned much over the past few weeks in Malda and hopes to have more work when he moves. He has had 'several rough encounters' with indigo planters, who are unscrupulous about his inexperience. He describes his experiences with them in detail, including attempts to intimidate him. William describes a picture of himself, 'Apollo never had such a head of curls' and promises to send a copy. He asks about the last photographs he sent, whether they will keep, and how they compare to professional London photographers' work. He has heard nothing more of the stereoscopes and wonders if he will see their originals or the copies again. His next examination will be on 2 April.
Extent	11p.
Format	Manuscript
PhysicalDescription	Ink on paper
AccessStatus	Open

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