| RefNo | HSF/2/1/63 |
| Previous numbers | 32.8.46 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from J [John] Herschel, to 'Dearest Mother' [Margaret Brodie Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 31 March-1 April 1862 |
| Description | He has found courage to send to the nearest post office, some seventy miles distant and has an hour for a letter. His working from 5.00am to 8.00pm should not worry her. He is engaged in star observation, about which he has written before. This happens only once or twice a season and he must work for an hour before and after sunset and sunrise in addition to the daily routine. He has nothing to write about and feels forgotten by the world especially as he has newspapers which tell him about the bustle outside. He discusses his 'utter isolation' and will be glad when he moves out of this country, which he will do in two weeks. The local officials have been a bother and he notes that he is in an independent state, not directly controlled by the British. He describes the authorities as oppressive, with the people having no redress. John's attempts to put an end to anything like extortion 'have resulted in ill will which again has given rise to false charges of one set against another. He says that the bare fact of his being a 'Sahib' puts him in a position of authority to challenge the Nawab if he chose to. One of the Nawab's officials has been in the habit of extorting money and producing a trumped up charge against one of John's party of taking bribes, and he describes this and another instance of an agent causing a split amongst the observing party staff. John believes himself hampered by having to depend upon his own people in order to understand local Hindutsani, which would challenge even his brother's abilities. There is no news from Willy [William James Herschel]. He describes the heat and notes his own good health. |
| Extent | 8p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7955 | Herschel; John (1837 - 1921); Colonel; military engineer, surveyor and astronomer | 1837 - 1921 |