| Description | They have just completed a month's holiday, having the McNeiles for the first fortnight of shooting and exercise, the latter half spent with the Villiers Taylors, whom he describes, at Bhagulpore [Bhagalpur]. William relates the relationship between John [Frederick Charles Herschel] who was ill, and another child, Frank Villiers. They visited [George?] Nelson Barlow. Emma contracted a fever. They have been taking quinine for the last eight days and had advice from Dr [Joseph] Fayrer. Edward [Hardcastle?] has written, suggesting that William should stay in India for another ten years, and he contemplates this with its effect on his son. William believes that £10,000 fairly invested in securities would allow him to come home, and he hopes to have that in less than ten years, having two thousand already, after three years. Julia [Herschel] has written to say that the residents of Hawkhurst want to put up a memorial to his late father. He discusses Mr. Lloyd's scheme for this, believing that the chances of failure are overwhelming. They should wish him success, but whatever the monument, they will think of Sir John's true love, which was light, and he notes Ema's suggestion of 'a pure white star of radiating prisms, upon a blue background'. William had an 'excruciating' note from the Lieutenant Governor, indicating that he was prepared to allow William to change his mind about judicial service when so inclined. Edward had sent him Counsel's opinion on the debated part of William's father's will. He discusses this but is unable to study his copy of it, since he has sent it to Johnny [John Herschel]. He notes that Theodore Hope has been promoted to Head of the Bombay [Mumbai] Municipality, which is exactly the post to bring out his qualities. |