| Description | The last mail from England took 22 1/2 days to reach Calcutta. Bright, who relieved William at Hooghly travelled with the bags. His father's undated letter asked him about unpaid paper. William summarises the English law regarding Indian promissary notes, 23 & 24 Vict. C5. He has taken an opinion on whether this relieves property on succession impost [tax] under Indian law and he relays the opinion. Meanwhile the Indian Government has announced the imposition of 3 1/8% income tax on drafts which they issue in London, and the public is against this. They have no control over 'home expenditure', the Secretary of State having control over seven or eight millions per year. They are told to look after expenditure, but must pay the Secretary's bills, and that expenditure is 'of outrageous favouritism'. His father's previous letter was a comfort to William and Emma. He is making the best of a situation which has been thrust upon him. He feels the want of good reading and an accurate memory, both essential to a lawyer. He is about to call upon Lord and Lady Grey, having dined with them a few days ago. He relates the reading of a telegram at the Lieutenant-Governor's house at dinner which had left London less than four hours before and they frequently receive messages from England in one and three quarters of an hour. There is a report of a message and reply in one hour and twenty minutes. He compares this with the situation in India when he first arrived. They are longing to spend two guineas on a message when they have cause. |