| Description | William notes the arrival of Lieutenant Governor [Frederick James] Halliday on his rainy weather tour through Bengal. He has a steamer and a floating state house and can visit all of the principal stations by water. Halliday stopped at Berhampore [Baharampore] 'poked his nose about' and disconcerted officials there. William was summoned to Berhampore and heard there was to be a durbar and he should see [William] Waterfield. On his arrival, William went immediately into Halliday's presence, and he describes the 'great man' in detail. This first meeting was official with satisfactory questions and answers. William stayed with Spencer the young magistrate; Waterfield and Chapman were under the same roof and he describes their character. particularly Waterfield's. Colonel Macgregor, the Governor's agent to the court of Nawab Nazim of Bangal [Mansur Ali Khan] invited Eurpoeans to meet the Lieutenant Governor at tiffin. William was not known to be at Berhampore, but Macgregor sent his carriage once he was aware of William's presence. He describes successive durbars and the positioning of European and Indian attendees. They watched the Nawab's procession with elephants, camels and horses, foot soldiers. pikeman and cavalry. The nawab was in a European carriage ans was carried up steps in a silver sedan chair on his arrival, to be received by Halliday. William contrasts the two, and describes the presentations made. He concludes with messages for Isabella, including that he is feeling better about his prospects. |