| Description | He has heard of the death of Mrs Watson's litte boy, just a fortnight since he saw the christening, and now he goes to see the burial. There will be a communion next Sunday and he means to see [William] Waterfield and the Watsons. He discusses the impact of the death upon him. [6 December] Mrs Watson is not visible but William has an account of her from Watson and his touching letter will be forwarded to his mother. While at Berhampore he will open the Jungipore packet to find mail from home. He has a pleasant thirty mile ride to reach Berhampore; his last visit was a fifty mile ride from Aurangabad and he is told he rides his horses too hard. He discusses his mounts, two of which are 'regular maneaters'. He gives thanks for photographs of Cambridge and the Cathedral, but does not yet like the portraits. William ruminates on the differences between painted and photographic portraits. [10 December] He has received letters at last and agrees with Bella [Isabella Herschel] about 'self martinetism' and he could not have endured [William] Waterfield's microscopic disposition if he did not also have telescopic powers. However he 'fritters away so much thought on trifles'. William discusses Waterfield's character in detail. His own court has presented him with difficult decisions this week saying it is no small matter to hear a man's story, determine that it is a lie, and sent him to prison for six months. Decisions rest entirely on probabilities, he thinks, outlining the process and saying that in three cases he has put two into prison and dismissed one. He mentions the alarm they had during the rebellion caused by a detachment of the 32nd Regiment, wich passed off peacefully. Bella has expressed a wish that William should take up photography again and he has been assisting Nicholas Stewart, who has been 'seized with the fever'. Bella's proposal about chessmen is a good one. He has a set made at Berhampore to send home, bu they came late and he has been using them. They take time to make and are not so well finished by the local craftsmen, but he will make a selection for Louisa. |