| Description | William comments upon the west winds bringing clouds of fine sand from the Ganges and darkness indooors is their only refuge from heat. William has issued 'despotic orders' to prevent the lighting of fires after 10.00am and to cover thatched roofing with sand. It is commonly supposed that the fires are the work of garamees, or thatchers. At Dacca such practices were common until a fire broke out in their grass stacks. There are no fire brigades and it is almost impossible to get gathered crowds to assist, while procuring water is difficult. Demolishing the fire's supply of fuel is the only solution, but the west winds make this a hopeless task. William is settled in Jungipoor again after a cold weather trip. His travellers, mentioned in a prevous letter, have been acquitted by a judge. He notes the approach of the railway, 'It is to us what a flying machine would be in Europe', thinking that good will come, but it will take a long time to reach them. He met Mr. Boddam, an engineer reporting on the state of the roads, who thinks that it will not be open until 1862. [19 April] William describes the Khas Mehal system of farming, the storage and use of large amounts of rain by farmers, and terracing of hillsides. He notes the appearence of antelopes, and the difficulties presented in hunting them. |