| Description | He encloses a batch of photographs from sittings with Brennand, which are good likenesses apart from the boy John, 'a thorough Stewart he is in his mouth and eyes'. The group under the trees is a breakfast party and he describes the Indian attendants in the image, one of whom has now been suspended from office. He describes himself drinking tea and the Engish breakfast reinforced by curry, rice and bakes. It was the last of several attempts to take a picture, occupying two or three hours. He describes Brennan in the picture. He has received letters from Amelia [Amelia Wade, née Herschel] in San Francisco and gives news of her movements from the telegraph. Keshab Chandra [Keshub Chandra Sen] came to open the Brahman church at Dacca a few days ago, visited William before leaving, and William has given him a note of introduction to Collingwood. He gives an account of Keshub's two lectures, the first 'a political exaltation of the Society he leads', and another on 'True life'. William thinks that the Bengalis have come close to Christianity in their own religion, but 'refuse to admit a Mediator between them & their Creator'. He thinks that Keshub was inserting himself into that role but has abandoned it. The Bengalis have come to a 'standstill' therefore, but idolatry is giving way, including by the priests. 'Keshab & Matthew Arnold would like to meet & probably will - I should like to hear how they fare together'. William wishes that all who have a chance of meeting Keshub in England would bear in mind that he is a leader in Hindu thought. He fears that Englishmen will not appreciate the extreme delicacy of the task of communicating their convictions; he considers what Keshub's possible reception might be, and what he might learn from the visit. There are few books of importance that Keshub has not read and appropriated as 'intuitive'. William has heard that Keshub will be the guest of Sir John Bowring. [On Christmas Day] It would be the happiest time he has had in India, were it not for the last news of Uncle James. They have received Margie's first letter in her own hand, and letters from Julia. Bella and Fancy. William will speak to Leonard about Uncle John's young friend and will be glad to help him. He comments on the engineering of the new walk at Collingwood. He has received his father's queries about Indian taxes on successions and he will let his father know when the law is changed, giving a brief account of current levies. |