| RefNo | HSF/2/1/42 |
| Previous numbers | 32.8.27 and 32.8.27A-D |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from J [John] Herschel, Camp nr. Dera [?] Khan [?], to 'Dearest Maila' [Maria Sophia Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 8-15 April 1860 |
| Description | Her letter of 2 March has just arrived and he intends to give her a long chat in response, but notes obstacles: the tent temperature is 103 degrees, his ink dries so that he is obliged to clean the pen within minutes, and he has overcome his hatred of steel pens, since quills 'won't last 3 minutes'. He describes heat, wind and flies, and barking dogs which keep him awake at night. He is at Dejal again, but will leave tomorrow, as the field operation of the Great Indus series has come to an end for the season, and probably for good, that morning. Keelan's party has been working up from Kurrachee [Karachi] for the last three of four years, while Herschel's has been working since 1855 he thinks. Keelan has returned to Mussoorie while Herschel is taking the azimuth that previously failed at Jhakar. That completed, they will march tomorrow, reaching the hills in forty marches. He describes observations at local hills and [James Palladio] Basevi's attempts to gain official sanction to make them. Basevi is now proceeding to Dera Ishmael [Ismail] Khan to join Brigadier-General [Neville Bowles] Chamberlain 'to punish the Wuzeerees' [Waziris] after a raid on the plains. It will be an opportuntiy to explore the country and he lists the Survey officers going. [James Palladio] Basevi left them to complete the azimuth and John describes the methodology used, with a sketch. He lists the postmark places on letters he has received from Collingwood and the letters he has had. Willy [William James Herschel] has tough work and little leave. He discusses army leave and that of the Great Trigonometrical Survey staff. [From 9 April] He has arrived at Jaunpore and notes tents, camp life and food; thanks to his father's gun he has been able to help with duck, partridge and pigeons. [From 15 April] John is two marches to the south of Leia on the banks of the Indus, crossing over the river at D.G. Khan on 12 April. He describes the flooding of the Indus during rains, with a small sketch of the bed and banks. The country is intersected with canals, which he describes, and the Indus, comparing it to the seashore at Hastings. He writes about the jungle vegetation, 'like a lot of little junipers', referring to 'jow' and the local trees. John is once more in the region of yellow corn and date palms. He cautions against sending items out to India to be carried by 'Jimmy Stewart' because it would be transferring the expense. He sends newspaper cuttings from the Lahore Chronicle, 'a very stupid paper'. He criticises the Indian press, believing that 'The Friend of India' is the only one worth reading. He gives thanks for letters, a photograph of Carry [Constance Anne Herschel?] and a vignette. He shares an incident of breaking a tumbler by filling it with water in the heat. |
| Extent | 20p. |
| 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 |