| Description | William has left his 'den' and is now in a single pole tent, but they have not yet had cold weather. He describes a clay gharra, with a small sketch. Only Nicholas Stewart was left in Jungipoor [Jangipur], the old gentleman [Hay Tweeddale Stewart] having nothing left to do in levying tolls after the river dried up, and is going to China with six months' leave. William hopes he will meet Yeh [Ye Mingchen] whose character William describes in derogatory terms. He gives his thoughts on British expansion in the East, where people 'have refused us admittance where we sought to do no harm, have used violence...when we have enforced our right...'. The Indian rebellion has roused 'annexational principles' and William admits that this involves conquest. He wonders what the British will do about China and Canton, and with the rival French. He compares this to the rivalries of indigo planters in Bengal, with their intrigues and pitched battles. Meredith Townsend, the editor of the Friend of India, has been giving lectures intended to show the Anglo-Saxons are destined to conquer the East - a dangerous maxim, William believes, who thinks him wrong. William's own work is criticised as showing a tendency to either support European supremacy, or Indian equality, and he gives an exanple of an Englishmen expecting a favourable decision over a ferry being let out. He discusses favouritism, thinking that individuals should reach positions by their own efforts. 'If we are destined to hold India why fear to test our destiny by submitting to the plain rules of equity'. William describes a case of thieves and he hopes 'to get them convicted in a body'. He expresses his hatred of fakirs, giving an example of one whose 'mocking smile' under questioning roused William's anger. A sepoy of the 31st Regiment similarly upset him, and he objects to the notion of pollution in coming into his house.He comments on the feelings aroused in Anglo-Indians by the rebellion. He expects the next mail will bring news of the wedding ceremony, and the last gave an account of New Year's Day. He wishes he had a 'photographic pen' to give a better account of life in India, and is glad to hear of his father's state of health. |