| Description | Her news about Lou [Margaret Louisa Herschel] makes him anxious and he supposes it is to do with the old pain in her side. His family are changing so much he will not know them again, and there are changes in India too, with William starting for his new role that evening. He means to travel by Bhagulpore [Bhagalpur] and Monghyr [Munger] and the falls in the Rajamahal hills and gives the remainder of his itinerary. He regrets leaving his current station more than any other to date, explaining his likes and hates. He encloses letters from Johnny [John Herschel], noting that John will make friends and compares John's brusque manner to his own. He mentions a telegram error, 'well though weak pretty face' appearing instead of 'all well tough work, plenty play, perfect health', and the cost his telegram. The latest mail has brought better news of Lou, but he worries that one of the family will die; he has just lost two friends, Mr and Mrs Spencer, the latter in childbirth, delivering a son, and Spencer died soon afterwards. Spencer was his Magistrate and commended his son to William's care if anything should happen. He laments the contents of letters from Isabella Thompson and Mrs Harryngton as 'callous'. |