Record

HSF - Correspondence of Sir John Frederick William Herschel, and the Herschel family
- 3 - Letters of William James Herschel
  - 1 - Letters from William James Herschel to family members

RefNo	HSF/3/1/17
Level	Item
Title	Letter from William James Herschel, Calcutta [Kolkata], to 'Dearest Mamma' [Margaret Brodie Herschel]
Creator	Herschel; Sir William James; second baronet (1833-1917); British developer of fingerprinting and judge
Date	4 October 1853
Description	William has received his mother's letter of 19 August with extracts from 'The Times' and Cary's letter from Spithead. He has passed his examination and is therefore entitled to 800 rupees. He intends to work on Persian next, the presiding language, and may also learn Arabic, the law language, which gives more credit than modern languages. He considers it hard that others go out to work while he is occupied in this. The Governor of the North West provinces, [James] Thomason is dead and Sir H [Henry Miers] Elliott may be appointed in his place. Herschel notes the assassination of Colonel [Frederick] Mackeson 'to the fancied cause of liberty & independence' and gives thanks that he has a revolver. Herschel remarks on the forthcoming holidays in Calcutta and the love deity, promising further descriptions. There was a rumour of Russian interest in the Northern Provinces. His knives have been returned, so his mother is asked to take no further trouble with his earlier request. He sends dragonfly wings [not present] thinking these will survive in the envelope. In a postscript, William promises to send a pamphlet for his father, on cyclone storm waves, by Mr [Henry] Piddington.
Extent	4p.
Format	Manuscript
PhysicalDescription	Ink on paper
AccessStatus	Open

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