| RefNo | HSF/2/1/37 |
| Previous numbers | 32.8.13 and 32.8.13A |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from J [John] Herschel, Mussoorie, to 'Dearest Mother' [Margaret Brodie Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 13 November 1859 |
| Description | John is once more 'under the shade of the mighty Himalayas' and gives an account of his packing up and journey from Roorkee. The Deyra Dhoon elevated valley through which he passed is little cultivated but 'far prettier than any part of India that I have yet seen'. He describes the Mohan Pass and gives a small sketch. He fell asleep in his Dhoolie and woke in Deyra, a station between the ranges. He gives a sketch from the Sivalik hills to Mussoorie. John stayed with a subaltern of the Gurkhas at Deyra and continued by hill pony. He describes Landour and Mussoorie and how he found Colonel [Andrew Scott] Waugh's house. Colonel and Mrs. Waugh's reception was late but warm, the latter 'kind and ladylike'. Mrs Waugh and John walk round the 'Camel's Back' rock each morning, about three or four miles and as yet John has no advantage over her. He notes the cold and gives an account of the Deodara pine [Cedrus deodara, the Himalayan cedar] and the Pinus excelsa [Pinus wallichiana]. Apart from these, the trees are 'scarecrows' and the scenery at Mussoorie is not to be compared with Darjeeling. He has just come back from a second walk aound the 'Camel's Back' and hopes to be nearly as good a walker as Mrs Waugh one day. He is getting ready for a first campaign under [James Palladio] Basevi's instruction. The whole office is to move to Deyra and on the 21st he starts for Lahore. He will have time to find boats, servants and chattels to take to Mooltau [Multai] after which there will be a fifteen mile per day march with tents and camels to reach the operations area at Dera Ghazi Khan [in modern Pakistan]. He has not received letters by the last mail but they may be at Lahore. He gives Christmas good wishes. |
| 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 |