| Description | He hopes that she has received his electric telegraph message that things were normal. He has been obliged to throw himself into society, having to mix with people at the station to be in tune with them, and he think he is the better for it. William has been disappointed in a promotion, explaining the circumstances and those that have been promoted before him. The initial batch he could not object to, but later ones he was incensed by. He was informed of the reasons, with the statement that he should not consider this a degradation. Part of his annoyance rested with the promotion being simply nominal, with no difference to pay or duties. Those promoted are working under superiors, while William is in independent control of the most unruly zileah in India. He gives a list of the condemnations and commendations he has received since he took charge in Arrah, including reorganising the post office, the retaining of matchlocks by discharged policemen, the levying of a fine on Arrah for repair of government buildings, and the preparation of charges against Hare Krishna Singh. Singh was captured at Benares and William considers that 'The object if to hang him, a measure politically necessary and most certainly just...', although others have argued for transportation. William has had a good many reminders for work in arrears, including bills checked by the civil auditor. William turns to general matters, the station being quiet at the moment with only half a dozen residents. He has formed an acquaintance with H Richardson at the station across the Ganges at Chuprah, whose wife is the sister of Chapman whom he knew at College. He describes fever in the district, including his own slight attack, very different to the agues he had in Bengal two years ago. Letters from home have not mentioned the photographs of Dehli and Lucknow. He discusses reading, including [Hans Christian] Andersen and although he had not read German for a long time he 'devoured' it and read some to Becker as they lay under a tree at sunset, with the prisoner in chains a short distance away. He asks his mother to thank Alick [Alexander Stewart Herschel] for it, and for a dagger, which has not seen service as Gordon's pistol has, but it cuts his papers open. He stood sponsor at a christening, for Lilian Herschel Carter. He hopes his mother will not be vexed at his not writing, citing the pressure of his work and describing his routines. He notes Johnny's delight at his appointment [John Herschel] and gives other news of family and friends. |