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RefNoHSF/3/5/12
Previous numbers33.1.11 and 33.1.11A-G
LevelItem
TitleLetter from William James Herschel, to 'Dear Alick' [Alexander Stewart Herschel]
CreatorHerschel; Sir William James; second baronet (1833-1917); British developer of fingerprinting and judge
DateMay 1857
DescriptionWilliam is 'writing his wrists off' and requires a writing machine like a piano, describing such an instrument printing letters by keys with a moving paper platform: he asks Alick to plant the idea with someone at Cambridge, 'It must be done I can't waste time writing as I do'. He outlines how useful such a machine would be in India, where everything is done in writing and he expands upon this. William would be willing to offer a reward of £100 'for the invention of a good writing piano'. He then gives a long description of a 'little tragedy' which began when he was woken at 3.00am on 20 April 1857 on the report of a murder. This occurred at the village of Coolla, twelve miles distant. The report stated that a 'bravo' had been ordered to bring in a recusant tenant and William was delighted to learn that the murderer and his master had both been present at the crime, had been seized, and were under guard. He woke up Nicholas Stewart to help gather evidence. William then gives an analysis of the papers associated with the case, summarises his own enquiry, including interviews, the leading questions being asked of witnesses by the police for depositions, and the theory that the man killed had died of cholera. The surgeon later gave the opinion that the victim had died of a ruptered spleen. The man responsible is now on trial before the Sessions and will likely get a long term of imprisonment.
Extent26p.
FormatManuscript
PhysicalDescriptionInk on paper
AccessStatusOpen
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