| RefNo | HSF/2/1/60 |
| Previous numbers | 32.8.43 and 32.8.44A |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from J [John] Herschel, Camp nr. Bhawulpur [Bahawalpur], to 'Dearest Pater' [Sir John Frederick William Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 29 December 1861-11 January 1862 |
| Description | His father's letter of 8 November arrived yesterday. John describes the contents of the mailbag, including multiple English and Indian posts, newspapers, a cash order and pay bills for the observing party. He gives thanks for the image of Bella's picture dated 3 March 1859 and queries the placing of pictures, including [Sir George] Hayter's of Carry. He suspects Uncle John [Stewart] had a hand in the picture. John receives more newspapers than he can read and is not progressing with the [Louis] Puissant book as much as he would like. He is not overworking and had no fear of harm from the Sun, stating that he has been riding up to forty miles in a day, work which should have been done by others. He is now on the English side of the Sutlej. In his last letter he mentioned a possible interview with the Nawab, but luckily he was out hunting for a month. John believes there is strong feeling against him amongst his people and in favour of the British. He gives an example of the boat he took from Ferozpore, the owners of which begged him for a written order to avoid molestation by the Nawab, who would have seized them to work for no pay. [From 11 January] He has entered the true desert work, with no village near, poor water and bitter cold. He notes that the tower is built in a valley instead of high ground, so he lacks that resource for observation. He had no hand in the selection of stations for this series, which is causing trouble and delay, and John fears that the quality of his work will suffer. He cannot explain this openly as the author, his assistant, has the knowledge and service of thirty years in the department. John thinks that he will be abused by future surveyors 'as an idiot for putting a tower in a valley'. The new 'stirring up' of the Finance Department has given him extra work in monthly bills and accounts, which he explains, but thinks that the season's work will be lessened as a result. He is looking anxiously for news of the war, a 'most insane & inconsistent piece of folly'. [George Biddell] Airy's book on errors arrived, together with his father's projection of the sphere; he gives thanks for both and for Bella's letter. |
| 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 |