Letter from J [John] Herschel, Brompton Barracks, to 'Dear Baria' [Maria Sophia Herschel?] A little anxiety is good, he states. He has been on the sick list and could not send in for leave. The next day he was placed 'on the survey', which he explains. His indoor work for the past nine months has been on projects, with daily parades and drills, and other duties. He now only has to attend the instructor, a Captain Scott, at 8.00am daily. He has an eight square mile piece of ground to survey with another fellow, using a theodolite. He will not get leave now, and he returns letters. He discusses family matters and the way to make smoking caps. 29 October 1857