Record

RefNoHSF/3/7/6
LevelItem
TitleIncomplete letter from William James Herschel, Camp Jogeebeer, Shahabad, to 'Dearest Maria' [Maria Sophia Herschel]
CreatorHerschel; Sir William James; second baronet (1833-1917); British developer of fingerprinting and judge
Date30 May 1859
DescriptionHe hopes that 'poor Melie' is well. He is between rows of wooden barracks with iron roofing. He described their locality as far as he can within the fog, and his view of mountains. In looking for Kunchinjunga [Kangchenjunga] he suspected that Johnny [John Herschel] saw it, who could, claiming that William was blind, until a brighter gleam of light illuminated the peak. William describes his feelings in seeing the mountain through [William] Waterfield's binoculars: 'Massive as Atlas they lay piled in shelving rows...but yet so light and transparent that they seemed icebergs floating on a murky sea'. He recounts the talk of the barracks sergeant and his red face, and those of other Europeans 'for some few days every man and woman with a white face looked like an arsenic eater to my eyes'.
Extent4p.
FormatManuscript
PhysicalDescriptionInk on paper
AccessStatusOpen
Add to My Items

    Collection highlights

    Browse the records of some of our collections, which cover all branches of science and date from the 12th century onwards. These include the published works of Fellows of the Royal Society, personal papers of eminent scientists, letters and manuscripts sent to the Society or presented at meetings, and administrative records documenting the Society's activities since our foundation in 1660.

    The Royal Society

    The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of
    the world's most eminent scientists and is the
    oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.
    Registered charity number 207043

    Website design ©CalmView



    CONTACT US

    + 44 207 451 2500
    (Lines open Mon-Fri, 9:00-17:00. Excludes bank holidays)

    6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG

    Email Us →

    SUBSCRIBE

    Subscribe to our newsletters to be updated with the
    latest news on innovation, events, articles and reports.

    Subscribe →

    © CalmView