| Description | William is pressed for time and weary from 'palanquin dak' travel [litters carried between bungalows]. He came down for his examination and if he passes, he will have full powers as a magistrate. He would be eligible for posts without further examinations. He describes these tests, the first of which he went into with a headache from travel. In his revenue examination he was complimented for his fluency in Bengali. He has two more examinations to go and is staying with the Cowries. He comments of the reasons that his father has not received anything from him in two mailings. He will try to see Lady Canning while he is in Calcutta, but hears that the Cannings are unapproachable, and have not made a good impression. William does not wonder at the 'triumphant virulence' of columnists, but it is a cruel to blame systemic failures on the neglect of officers, referring to Gordon. |