SS “Malta” steaming down the Hoogly, 10 a.m. Tuesday March 8/98.

On Sunday afternoon, Albi, Mr. Walker, & I drove down to Garden Reach to see Smith but unfortunately he had gone up country, so our mission was fruitless. We had a look around the yard & an extensive “flat” building & repairing goes on. We returned to the ship had tea then drove to the Free Church & enjoyed the service, Luke 15-10 “Repentance” Revd. D. Reid, sung “Safe in the Arms of Jesus”, after which we went on board. I arose at 5 yesterday morning to get a letter written to Jeff before I left. He is still in St. George’s hospital, Bombay. I sent him a few stamps. I hope he may soon be well enough to return to the ship.

Capt. Morgan, Albi, Mr. Walker accompanied me in the gharry to Princeps Ghat where the tender was embarking passengers & there were great crowds & excitement. We steamed away at 7 exactly & felt very “fatherly” parting with my sweet Albion. I took a snap just as we moved off but I am doubtful about its success as it was not bright. Still I preferred to risk it. Soon we were out in midstream & the usual waving of hats, kerchiefs &c. continued as long as recognition was possible. We soon arrived alongside the Malta in midstream at Garden Reach & as soon as all were on board, “friends ashore” was called. Then we steamed away & after crossing the dangerous “James & Marys”, anchored [2:74] a little below Diamond Harbour to await the tide (on Tuesday) this morning.

The ships “Milton Stuart” & “Forth” are homeward bound & they came to anchor close by us. Spinks, the Saltburn youth, is in the “Milton Stuart” now. We met a few times, & he knew I was leaving in the Malta, so I waved this morning as we steamed past (they got underweigh before us both ships in tow) & several responded. He would know it was me. We could have spoken [to] the men on Forth easily but I know none of them. Several “tramps” too were at anchor all night, & now we are ahead of them all. 11:15 & the pilot will soon leave us. I have written to Albion. It goes with the pilot & I had brought his letters away: what he has got since arriving. He gave me them to read one night & I only discovered this morning. I had not returned them so I wrote a second letter. The first I wrote last night before going to bed, 10 o’clock. This steamer is full but she only carries 150 including 1st & 2nd, & 117 crew. She is not so comfortable as either Victoria or Ballaarat. Still she is very beautiful, & clean to a degree, & good table, & altogether I feel very contented. I am writing this on deck. A fine gently balmy breeze is blowing & I have the two spring clips I brought away to fasten the leaves as I write. The Hoogly is [2:75] a very muddy river & never clean, so in a few hours we hope to be in the open sea, which is over 80 miles from Calcutta. There are many children & some babies on board, & a few native nurses, & all seem delighted at going home. The arrangements on board are similar to the other steamers I sailed in & the menu a repeat. It was very hot all night laying at anchor & I did not sleep much, & there are 3 of us in the berth no larger than the one 2 of us occupied in the Victoria. 3 Americans, man, wife & sister, sit at same table as I, & they are going home by Japan. They’ve journeyed through India as I did so I may have their company so far. While laying at anchor this morning about 7, the mails were put on board. That is, letters for passengers from home, which was due in Calcutta yesterday. I had directed Cook’s to forward mine to Hong Kong, else I should have got them this morning had I suspected they would be sent after us.

I was re-reading my letters yesterday evening & made notes, & will now comment. Lord Ronaldshay[1] came via Brindisi & I soon recognized him. He seemed very modest & gentlemanly, & went on in the Victoria. Give my kind respects to Mrs. Heslop & I hope she is now quite well again. I was interested with what Willie said about George. Also remember me to the Smith family. Blades: was it he who Lizzie’s sister was with in Musgrave St.? Yes! It was Mrs. Duncan, May’s Mother. I was [2:76] pleased you went to the annual meeting but was sorry Mr. Smith was not appointed. They’ve made a mistake. So you had Mr. Foster preaching. I can’t remember ever hearing him. I’m so glad you have father [and] Mary. Now we are just going to pass 2 big ships at anchor. I will try & pick their names. They will be going up to Calcutta. I see all hands are on the look out. I doubt we will be too far off as I see our bows are steering to port a bit. Got it. We went close astern. “Gantock Rock” of Glasgow, a 3 master. The next is a barque but I shan’t get her name as we are getting too far off. Many men over the side of the Gantock Rock scraping her. You know this Gantock Rock is a rock with a light house on it just opposite Dunoon. Mary knows it. Oh, no we are too far off the barque & just passing her now. A few notes now on Willie’s letters. I was sorry to note J.G. Gose had failed, & so soon after his marriage. I remember the lady being carried on board at Tilbury but she soon was walking the deck. Also about Appleton’s failure, I am sorry about them as they have struggled long. I hope Nicholson will do well. He is deserving. Very, very kind of Willie to take Charlie out for walks, & I hope he will take you all out for drives as soon as the days get fine. Glad Mr. Giles called to see him & I note what he said about the Highland Railway. He acted quite right. Pleased he had Hendry down for a day. Sir Christopher’s 4 in hand[2] is surely quite new. Willie must give my very [2:77] (8 bells has just gone as I turned the leaf over (12 o’clock)) warmest regards to Mr. Nawton. How gratified I am that Willie went to the funerals – very, very thoughtful of him, & I am sure his presence would be appreciated. Mr. Chrystal, poor man, would feel so grateful. Tell him I often think of him & all at Fleet Shot. I hope Willie & you & Mary went to the Grocers’ Annual. I should like to read the interview you refer to. I visited the plague district in Bombay 3 or 4 mornings, had no fears whatever, I was so well & proof. Henry Steel: is he at home or back to Leeds? Was George present when all were summoned? Any news of Blenheim’s luck? March 2nd would fetch it. Very delighted Willie spoke of Horace to Miss Pyman. She would be made up. Warr’s party: I was pleased Willie went.

I did tell you about Port Said & the cold didn’t I? Another note on your letters. Yes, I read the Pedigree of the Colvilles & I remember well Alder who had the George Inn, & his kindness to our folks. I’ve nothing to say about the pedigree question. He, like many other people have a liking for tracing genealogy. Do give my very warmest greetings to Miss Waugh & Bella.

Then Mary’s 2 letters I duly received & noted the interest father was taking in looking up the steamer’s movements. I’m real sorry you can’t follow me further & I cannot inform you, unfortunately, as I don’t know my connecting steamers beyond Colombo.

[2:78]

Now it’s Andrew’s turn. By all means get the piano tuned & keep it up to pitch, so satisfactory to me is that transaction, but as to ever selling it, that won’t be likely. Glad it has been appraised at so good a figure by the teacher he named, & it was very good & kind of Mrs. Murry to clean it. She is pleased to have it in the house I make no doubt. (Albi is amused at the cutter wanting some Indian curio, & Albi‘s the man to get him one or two.) 5/- was cheap to get it removed. Albi liked Andrew’s letter & he must write again; glad he is so very contented & pleased too with Mr. Elliot. How very gratifying it is to me. Yes, the telegraphic error should have been Don’t. Willie knew what I said but I yet hope the people were perfectly satisfied at the price they received. Well now I think I’ve exhausted my comments & as each will read them they will please accept them instead of a direct letter. Oh, the Maltese kerchiefs: glad you got them & like them. They are used for the front of neck as a bow & brooch in it.

Just passing a light ship “Upper Gasper”. Water is getting a trifle clearer here. I will write to James[3] from Colombo, prepare it on the passage, & maybe Mr. Adamson. Be pleased to tell Mr. Leask how often I think about him & sorry I haven’t his company. Now I will leave off here for today and read a book.

[2:79]

[1] Inserted on facing page: “Lord Ronaldshay, heir to Earl of Zetland”.

[2] A carriage with four horses

[3] From the context, it would appear that this is James Whitehead, the uncle of William, born in 1819.  He was the brother of William’s father, Andrew, and in 1898 would have been 79 years old.