Letter from William James Herschel, Midnapore [Medinipur], to 'Dearest Mother' [Margaret Brodie Herschel] Her letter of 9 July was a pleasure to Emma and himself. He notes his father's and mother's trip to Pau to visit William's uncle and aunt, John and Matilda [Stewart]. He hopes for a second visit home next year and contemplates his family. He describes playing with his children and 'Margie's [Margaret Eliza Emma Herschel's] words in Hindustani. He gives a fuller description of her activities and her speech in taking messages between her mother and father. William describes his own health including rheumatism, feverishness, and a month-long headache. The Famine Report cost him, although he was well when he wrote it. It has done him good to have it thought well of, and he encloses a letter from R B Chapman of the subject [HSF/3/15/7]. He notes that Johnny's [John Herschel's] name is being recognised too. 11 August 1867