Record

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

RefNo	HSF/3/5/2
Previous numbers	33.1.2 and 33.1.2A-B
Level	Item
Title	Letter from William James Herschel, Junghypore [Jangipur], to 'Dearest Bella' [Isabella Herschel]
Creator	Herschel; Sir William James; second baronet (1833-1917); British developer of fingerprinting and judge
Date	19 January 1857
Description	He has just received letters from her and Alick [Alexander Stewart Herschel]. He mentions his affection for [William] Waterfield as an extra brother in India, as there are eleven Herschels at Collingwood. His last visit to Berhampore was unpleasant as he had to give evidence at the Sessions against the men who attacked him. The police who were witnesses made 'a complete hash of the whole'. He gives an account of the proceedings in which all except one were acquitted; the one will be referred to the Nizamut Adawlut and will likely be released. This is annoying because 'it is perfectly well known that the men charged before the Judge were the right men without exception'. Spencer the Magistrate did not make Haklotts a witness even though he had deposed that the accused were all stationed on the spot and were all in the attack, two of whom had told him about it. If Haklotts had been called the men would have been convicted. [Arthur] Pigou says that William was injudicious in measures for their arrest and it is likley that Spencer will get some severe remarks for his preparation of the case for Sessions. The commissioner Grote has been dissuaded from leaving the magisterial line for education and William is having doubts about accepting Pratt's nomination, about which he has heard nothing more. His last visit to Berhampore was more pleasant. He had only visited church once since leaving Calcutta [Kolkata] three years ago, but there is a small church at Berhampore officiated by Mr Bland, a Church of England clergyman, and he spent the Sunday with Waterfield. He discusses his faith in general terms, referring to a quotation from Bella, and enclosing a letter just received from Waterfield, which will please her [HSF/3/5/1]. The Archdeacon referred to was the cause of an argument between them, William believing that the Archdeacon had enforced doctrine on abtruse points, but his tribunal was equally wrong in not giving him distinct warning. Waterfield thinks the Archdeacon was treated badly, a view which William does not share. William describes his New Year's Eve and Christmas day. The Watsons are referred to in Waterfield's letter, Watson being the Superintendent of Survey for one of the Bengal divisions, and Waterfield his assistant. He describes Watson, and Mrs Watson, who 'wins hearts without exception'. William missed the last mail, in case Bella suspects a letter has gone astray.
Extent	10p.
Format	Manuscript
PhysicalDescription	Ink on paper
AccessStatus	Open

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