| Description | He chides Luisa for her rash conclusion that he would faint at the receipt of her letter, announcing her engagement to be married: 'what a witch you are, you give me no notice'. He wonders if he should send her a pair of ladies' anklets, a nose ring or a cashmere shawl. He congratulates Mr [Reginald Dykes] Marshall and his sister, promising to celebrate the day, but believing that she will be married before the date can reach him by mail. Her news comes at a good time, as the cooler season will reach them in a few days, when outdoor exercise will be possible. William is planning another trip to the Dharani Pahar. On correspondence he says 'you may well be proud of linking us to the Great Master, & I join with you therein & in your appreciation of his letters to our father'. He received her letter just as he was turning away from the trial of some villagers on a charge of being bad characters, in which there was a counter charge of bribery against the Darogah. Pronouncing decisions in such cases is 'very much like swallowing a dose of castor oil' he says. There are some in the service who wish to make money and go home, not caring about their operation; but William considers himself part of a civil service class of practical men who work to do good to their flocks. The civil service is largely composed hard working and zealous men as any public servants, and he expands upon his assessment. He gives news of the rebellion, with anxiety about Lucknow, noting that [James] Outram had been wounded and that he cannot hold out beyond 10 November. [Edward Harris] Greathed's column is at Cawnopore [Kanpur] and the slaughter at Lucknow has been too heavy to be published, some 66 officers and 1,100 men. Sir Colin [Campbell] is at Allahabad and is making stringent remarks at the courts martial which will make him many enemies. William relates the story of a Captain [William Stephen Raikes Hodson] who captured three of the King's sons at Dehli, ordering them to be stripped, shot, and flung into a ditch. It is said that the 'old King' [Bahadur Shah Zafar] was shot by his European guard, but it is not certain that he has been killed. He asks Louisa to thank Gordon for his trouble about the pistols. The Stewarts have arrived but William is unsure of their movements. He asks word to be relayed to his father that they 'are great disbelievers here in Russian spies'. |