WD4431(Additional)

Bequeathed by E.P. Westby Esq., along with WD4426-4431, and F888 (Robert Home's miniature painting cabinet).

1.

Recipe book, with index, of oils, colours, varnishes etc, written in Robert Home’s hand.

ff1-71, with index pages at front lettered A to Z. Some of the recipes include in the text small drawings of equipment used. Also loose recipes , some damaged. (Kept with F888.)

Notebook in marbled covers with label inscribed: ‘Copy of Recipes from the Notebook of Mr Robert Home, Artist. with a short notice of his life.’

2.

Letter from John Home (1787-1860) Bengal Army, third son of Robet Home, written while he was ADC to the King of Oudh between 1820 and 1825, to Mrs Duncan, see below. Letter sealed with Robert Home’s seal.

‘Lukhnow 19 February 1821’

Vivid descriptions of life at court - riding and hunting with the king; meals; the generosity of the king and hopes of saving money for when he leaves the army. Mentions Dr Macleod at court. Conveys greetings from his father ‘‘He enjoys good health as indeed do all of us, Anne and Jean & Richard also beg their most affectionate loves to you....poor Bob has had a most disastrous passage to Madras. he left the pilot on the 27th Decr and the ship ( the Partridge ) struck on the 31st on some shoal and was very nearly lost. they got off however & the next day encountered a very severe gale which they did not expect the ship would have been able in her injured state to weather but fortunately they did and the passengers were landed at Cannanore. There has been great talk of an increase to the army or some newer arrangements to make corps more effective but of late has died away and we begin to think that things must remain as they are.’

The letter is overwritten by Anne Walker with news of the family.

3.

Miscellaneous letters from John to Harriet, widow of his brother Robert, dated 1845 to 1860

‘25 Novr 1845 Weston, Bath.’

Mentions returning to India ‘‘next year’.’ Received letter from Richard with ‘‘excellent news of Duncan’.’

‘23 May 1849 Weston, Bath.’

Mentions moving house - new house costing £3500. Duncan ‘‘got safe out of the fight at Goojerat...anxiety to hear what Gilbert has done with the Affghans and what is arranged about the Panjab - we can not annex it - but may later come as payment of our expenses.’

‘26 August 1857 Weston, Bath.’

Writes of the Mutiny and the death of Sir Henry Lawrence - mutiny of the 3rd, 9th, and 10th Irregulars at Seetapore on 2 June. Richard is in England, ‘‘Richard follows to Brighton on the 17th when he takes’ ‘Sandy’ [Alexander Lefevre]’ to school....Freddy’ [Frederick Jervis] ‘is doing as well as possible at Addiscombe & there seems little doubt but that he will gain the Engineers......Playfair is to go out this month or next & takes Fanny’ [Richard’s daughter Frances Harriet was married to Playfair] ‘to Madras - much better leave her at home - for one hardly likes to take a lady amongst such savages now.’

‘17 April 1860 Weston, Bath,’ from Susan, John’s widow.

‘Account of John’s death.’

‘15 May 1860 Weston,’ from Susan.

‘Fred’s going will be another trial. He is to sail on the 20th. I liked very much the little I saw of him.’ Writes of John’s will.

4.

Seven letters dated between 1822 and 1828 from Anne Walker, only daughter of Robert Home, to Mrs Caroline Duncan, wife of Lieutenant-Colonel William Duncan, 57 Gower Street, London. Caroline was sister to Harriet, wife of Robert Home’s eldest son, also Robert, whom he married in 1836. The letters are numbered but the sequence is not complete; some letters bear the seal of Robert Home with his name in Persian..

Anne Walker, born 1785, married John Walker, ICS, in 1806. He died in 1808 and Anne herself in 1829, at Cawnpore. She was very close to her father and acted as his housekeeper for many years.

‘No.6 Lucknow, 18 April 1822.’

Mentions visit of a cousin to Richard’s young son and how pleased they are to have news of him ‘‘ My Father is extremely attached to him’’.[Richard Home (1789-1862), youngest son of Robert Home] Outraged comments on another cousin’s marriage to someone she hopes will be a ‘‘Reformed Rake’.’

‘‘We were much amused by your thinking John’s shawls so much too warm a material for us , for we wear gowns & Jabadas of the same kind during cold weather’ ‘here.’’[John (1787-1860), fourth son of Robert Home]. Talks of John’s ill health and ‘‘Richard looks and is very delicate & I dread the next Rains for him for he has by no means recovered his strength since the last attack of illness. Such another or even a slight one, must force him to try some change of climate. My Father I thank God continues to enjoy uninterrupted good health you will probably have heard of his fall on Xmas Eveng - at the Palace & how narow an escape he had of breaking his left arm. It was indeed most providential & his recovery has been slow, indeed he still feels the effects of the accident when he uses his hand much, or on any change of weather, but it does not now prevent him working & I trust in time will become as strong as ever again.’’

‘No.7 Lucknow, 14 August 1822’. Letter incomplete.

Mentions Richard’s forthcoming marriage which might be delayed because of his ill health. Reference to Richard’s son being cared for by recipient and to Willy who had been with Robert Home for ‘‘years before we came’’.[These are apparently two of Richard’s sons] Talks of problems of future prospects for Richard’s boys, ‘‘To my father the subject is so unpleasant, & painful, he cannot speak about them, & does not even like to hear them spoken of.....He continues, thank God, in perfect health in three days more he will complete his 70th year, & he really is a wonderful man for his age. He is constantly busy & takes as lively an interest in his pursuits as ever - the only Symptoms of age that I perceive are his beginning to dislike the trouble of attending Breakfasts at the Palace, & his hearing being less quick than heretofore. He is just now painting a likeness of the King, in imitation of a Bust, which will be sent home for the purpose of having one made from it. He is making two views of the face, a profile & a nearly full face, both so like that I think they cannot fail to make a good Bust from them- I shall like to hear your opinion of our King’s countenance...’

‘No.10 Lucknow 24 July 1823’

Birth of Richard Raper Home (d.1825) to Richard and Fanny. More references to Richard’s three children, ‘[Richard]’ is much annoyed he cannot call him Robert after my Father - & I suspect now repents having given the three children his own name - when he did so, he says, he had no thought of marrying. He must however abide by the consequences of his own wilfulness in this as in some’ ‘other cases - I wish this were not the worst’’. Speaks waspishly of Fanny being unable to nurse the baby. Mentions her daughter Jean ( She married Richard Comyns Birch in Lucknow in 1825 and died Multan 1852.)

‘No.13 Lucknow 5 September 1824’

Mentions the king’s offer of a boat to RH and John for Anne’s use to have a change of air to help her recover her health. Death of Richard’s son Willy, not unexpected to the family, but Richard very distressed. ‘.....’death was indeed a most happy & desirable release for the dear little sufferer.’’ Mentions John’s safe arrival in Madras just as Robert is about to leave the Presidency. Robert ‘..’.is to join his new Regt [at Rangoon] ....& that he may be preserved from the dangers of the War, into which his voyage will carry him! I conclude you know as much, and perhaps more of this Burman War than I can tell you. It has created no small sensation in this Country & it’s likely to do the same at Home. John Company’s coffers are likely to lose more than they will gain from it. The expenses are enormous by all accounts. Those of the Rangoon Expedition only are said to amount to a Lac (100,000) Rupees daily at present; & to that is to be added all those of the Bengal Troops’movements - past present and future....This campaign.... it is thought will be long, arduous & little advantageous to us...and this is the moment taken, (contrary to the commer in chief’s wishes & advice) to publish late ordres from Home to cut & Reduce the allowances of every department of the Bengal Military Establishment! The discontent & irritation cause by this generally called unjust proceeding of the Court of Directors is universal.... Neither of the Regts to which John & Richard belong are as yet in requistion for service & I trust will be among those left to take care of us at Home. Tho’ if the apprehensionswhich prevail of our Northern Neighbours taking advantage of the unguarded state of their frontiers, to make inroads upon us, be well founded there will be enough to do both at home and in Burma. Sir Edd Paget, it is said, has ordered all the Troops which can be spared from the Cape, Ceylon & the Mauritius to be sent to Bengal to keep our Neighbours in check & he himself takes the field with a large Army soon to enter the Burman Empire by the way of Arracan. The last reports of the proceedings of the evening is, that one of the King’s sons is on his way to Rangoon at the head of an army of 20,000 men “to drive the English into the sea”! We have already 15,000 or more of King’s and Madras troops there who will be more than a match for them.’’

‘No.14 On the Ganges returning to Lucknow 21 January 1825’

Mentions her illness and doctor’s anxiety ‘..’I hope to get on slowly & surely & at last’ ‘be able to hold my ground in this country’’. Descriptions of Richard’s son Richard Raper and baby Anne (b.1824 d.1825). Mentions the impending marriage of Jean to Frederick ‘...’ once his military duties allow’’. News of the success of the campaign in Rangoon ‘...’we hope that the invasion of Burma , thro’ Arracan may not be requisite - The Second Victory on the 15th Decr we only heard of on leaving Calcutta & and are quite in the dark as to its probable consequences; or as to the truth of the Rumour of an Ambassador from Ava to sue for terms of peace - so that tho’ prospects are much improved & hopes raised, all is still in suspence & you may believe how anxious we are to reach some station where we may find letters and hear news.... Major Robert has had the temporary command of his Regt during the late Battles at Rangoon & thank heavens has escaped unhurt - at least his name is not in the papers detailing the last affair.’’

‘No.18 Cawnpore 20th March 1826’

Mentions the family’s successful and happy move to Cawnpore. Robert has written from Calcutta that he plans to join them, after being wounded on the 10 January while leading a storming party against a stockade in ‘Piju’. Captain Stedman was killed in another charge. ‘‘Robert was struck by a ball. It passed harmless thro’ his cap. One tore the cuff of his jacket, another went thro’ his trowsers - the first that drew blood grazes just above the right temple - he jokes upon the thickness of the skull which could turn the [?], it has left its mark however & a dent in the bone is plainly to be felt & seen too tho’ it is not very striking. He took no notice of this feeling it but little & tho’ told by several he was wounded ( for the blood ran down his face freely) he only said he knew it but it was nothing....Robert was assisting with his left hand to disengage them when a ball struck the right hand & this disabled him. It entered between thumb & forefinger & came out at the wrist below the thumb shattering the lower bone in its passage. They had waded a River and he was wet to the skin, he says the sensation of chill from that & loss of blood was dreadful. He was taken back to the river & sat down under a Bush to wait for the Dr who soon came & he was the first to have his wound dressed & fortunately had not long to wait for tho’ he and a Sepoy tied up the Hand in the first instance it bled profusely & did so the whole of the day and the following night.’’

John has been kept with his Brigade but spends much time shooting. Richard and Fanny are in Benares - Fanny expecting their third child in May [ John, b.1826 d.1827]

Jean is back with Anne after she had gone to her new marital home in Chittagong and found her husband’s regiment under orders for Arracan. Jean not considered strong enough to stay in Chittagong alone. She arrived ‘‘on the 8th Feby in the measles, but’ ‘not in the family way - which I never believed her to be....just recovering from a severe attack brought on I fancy by the protracted anxiety of the Bhurtpore siege. ...Frederick is still at Arracan - or rather they are now cantoned on a small Island at the Mouth of the Arracan River - the Climate of which proves more healthy to the Europeans but not to the Natives - the poor Sepoys die daily and Fred’s Regt which went there 1000 strong and a very fine set of men can now muster 300 only for Duty! this is sad but so is all connected with that War & country. Would we were at Peace and all our Troops out of it! but here seems no speedy prospect of that being the case!...My Father keeps wonderfully well, I rejoice to say, & ...find’[s]’ endless amusement & full occupation for his mind - he was getting impatient at John’s absence latterly notwithstanding’’

‘No.25 Cawnpore 7 December 1828’

Mentions ‘‘the probability of my poor little sister-in-law’s being obliged to take her 4th’ ‘child to England, as the only hope of saving his life’.[Duncan Charles, b.1828, later Bengal Engineers, d.1857] ‘There is alas! no other choice left to them, & Richd has determined to send her this season. They are now on their way to Calcutta, where I will send this....we have tried all in our power to prsuade Richd to accompany her - But he has proved by his last letter to us that it is impossible - His debts are already so heavy that unless we could defray the whole expenses for him,- which we cannot afford to do - the step would be a ruinous one.....He has unluckily hesitated so long in making up his mind, that they have lost the opportunity of securing a passage for her in the Ship with the Alick Colvins - this I am much vexed at for we have no other intimate friend going this season, & she is young, Poor Lamb, to go quite unprotected.....If the Rapers should be in London to receive her she will do very well but of their movements we are uncertain & as they had settled in the country - Sussex- there is the chance of their not be apprised of her approach tho’ they may still be in England - I do not ask you to receive her of course - that would be too much - but any little attentions you would kindly shew her, would prevent her feeling so extremely cast away as she must do, should it so happen that her sister is not in England....To Miss Phipps too I will introduce her with whom I trust she will settle little Duncan, before she returns to this Country. He seems still to be in good health but tho’ between 7 & 8 months I hear of no symptoms of Teeth, all her children have been late & we must hope that the sea air will prevent this little fellow suffering like the others when he does begin.’

Mentions hoping to see Richard when he returns from Calcutta. Richard and Fanny were to see Robert in Calcutta when he was en route for Cawnpore. Robert suffering badly from rheumatism and unable to put his left leg to the ground. Jean on the march to Neemuch, unable to send letters as she is not on the dak road. ‘I must try to do as she tells me - ‘consider all well’ till I hear again.’ Tells of her own health and a hunting accident when John is forced to jump from the howdah when his elephant is frightened by a hog and makes for the river. John cannot swim, but is unhurt by his jump. The elephant panics when the howdah fills with water but is righted by shikars and reaches the opposite bank two miles downstream.

5.

From Robert Home (1784-1842), eldest son of Robert Home, to Caroline Duncan.

‘21 Dec 1824 Rangoon’

Writes of Glover [probably Capt Charles Halcott Glover] who was severely wounded on 9 December ‘‘....on the Dullea side of the River.....his wounds are the loss of his right Arm at the shoulder joint and a part of his right ear. but I am most happy to say that from his excellent constitution & fine spirits the stump is already healing fast and he is doing remarkably well’.’ Hopes that on his return to Madras Glover will ‘‘step into a staff appointment. He will remain independent of his staff allowances whatever they may be, £70 a year for life as a pension for the loss of his limb, so, altogether he will be very well off. I have had very late letter from Calcutta where my sister now is. She was obliged to leave Lucnow on account of her health & has benefitted considerably by the trip down the River. Dick / who went away sick to Penang some months ago / has returned in excellent health and since his arrival in Calcutta Mrs Dick has presented him with a young lady. If he is not obliged on account of this Burmese War to join his Regiment I expect he will be on his way up to Lucnow in another month with Anne & Jean under his convoy. John’s Regiment is fortunately [illeg] to Lucnow which will prevent the possibility of my Father’s being left quite solitary. even with John in the house he feels the want of Anne much. he is Thank God in excellent health and at his advanced age still continues to work with his usual spirits.’

‘You will undoubt see the merits of this Burmese war fully discussed in the papers at home. all I can say of the natives is that they are a most active enterprising enemy they have certainly never been able to stand against us even behind their own stockades & brevet works.......’’

To Mrs Duncan

‘13 April 1841 Masuliputam.’

Mentions birth of a daughter. Letter from his brother Richard saying he was unsuccessful in attempt to obtain appointment in Audit Office and needed to join a regiment as soon as possible to continue paying Fanny’s allowance. Mentions his own pay matters, and the heat and how they are dealing with it.

6.

Group of letters from Richard Home to Harriet, widow of his brother Robert, dated 1843 to 1859.

‘18 Oct 1843 Benares’

Mentions visiting Jervis [John Jervis, 5th BNI] at Jaunpur and ‘‘..taking sketches of splendid old, old ruins with which the City of Jaunpore and its vicinity abound’.’ Describes bridge over the Gumti ‘.’.upwards of 300 years since it was built...they first built a Bridge of I think six arches on the dry land and having tuurned the stream through it built the Bridge itself in continuation which consists of 10 arches so the Bridge is very much longer than there is any occasion for except when the River rises very high’.’ Description of Jaunpur with Hindu buildings being destroyed and materials used to build mosques with the carvings turned to the inside. Also description of the picturesque fort. ‘‘I would give a great deal to be able to colour my sketches - but that I cannot manage at all’.’ Harriet has obviously gone with her children to S Wales to stay with her sister, Mary Hall. Harriet is acting as guardian to Duncan and Robin [Robert?, b.1834] sons of Richard. Daughters at Brighton after moving from Guernsey. Reports death of Dugald Robert, 4th child of John. Writes of the army, ‘‘I liked the first corps I was posted to much better than my present one and the feeling that I am’ ‘liable to be thus removed from one Regiment to another without with or by your leave takes away all that feeling of pride and interest which a Commanding Officer would & ought to have in his own corps .....it is a vile system they follow of removing officers so frequently and must render the army much less efficient than it otherwise would be’.’ He writes of hoping to return to England on furlough in 1846.

‘30 Sept 1845 Avranches’

Complains that no letter had arrived from his son Duncan ‘‘Duncan seems rather to take after Papa in laziness as regards letter writing’.’ Description of the house and life in Avranches, ‘‘I have been a great deal out of doors and have taken several rather pretty sketches ...and I find I can read & even fill up my sketches by lamplight which I could not manage whilst in England or India either’.’

‘24 July 1846 Avranches’

Mentions return of John and Susan to India. recommends life in Avrannches to friends thinking of joining them. Writes of returning to India, ‘‘I know not if I mentioned to you that to enable me to keep Master Robert at Putney House School I must return to India this year. My health is so much better than it was that I do not think there will be any risk arriving in India during the cold season. Fan and the girls will follow with Duncan when he goes out and in the interim remain quietly here.’’

‘26 July 1852 Mussoorie’

Marriage of ‘Carey’ [his daughter Caroline Purvis married Robert Warden Fraser at Meerut in April 1852]. ‘‘Duncan is a dear good boy - we do feel proud of him. He’s now in charge of a division of the Punjab Canal drawing a salary of upwards of 600 Rs a month I believe. He is considered a very talented hard working Servant of Govt and no doubt will get on well. We continue to hear very favourable reports of Master Robert at Addiscombe. He seems working hard for an Engineer’s appointment also. I wish I could say the same for little Donald Playfair - who .....requires the greatest care and watching. His Mama is a great sufferer from Headaches like myself - they are now with the Frasers, who have a very nice House next to ours - nearby on the same level - and only a road dividing our comounds so that we can pass over to each other without requiring any conveyance - this makes it very pleasant indeed’.’ Reports the death of Jean Birch [daughter of Anne Walker and grand-daughter of Robert Home, wife of Frederick William Birch] at Multan, after 27 years of marriage. All the station turned up for the funeral. Richard writes he has accepted the offer of the command of a Brigade ‘‘but have no intention to remain longer in India than till I can clear myself from debt which I hope will be by the end of next year...I expect daily to see myself in orders to comd at Ferozepore but have had a hint from the Adjt General not to be in any hurry to Secure a House there as the C in C has it in contemplation to remove me to Benares ( which has been lately made into a Brigde Comd) before my present leave expires. I shall be well pleased to go to Benares which is a much more quiet Comd than Ferozepore - and there are several of my old tried friends there - I shall leave this abt the 1st Octr DV but whether Fanny acompanies me or follows in Novr cannot be decided until the Relief is out and we know where Major Fraser’s Regt the 45th goes to as he is particularly anxious that Caroline should be with her Mamma in January next’.’ Mentions Amwell where Harriet is living and says he was there for Col Duncan’s funeral but did not go into the cottage, only saw the outside.

‘19 November 1857 The Parade Epsom’

News of son Duncan’s VC and the death of son George Row on 1st December 1856.

‘11 February 1858 Epsom’

Writes of his brother John’s illness ‘‘swimming in the head and became quite insensible’.’ His son Robert at ‘‘Seharumpore when he last wrote - all was quiet at his station - but the neighbourhood was in a very disturbed state - and communications with the lower provinces very uncertain....The Frasers have been drawing up a Memoir of poor dear Duncan - I tried but it was too much for me - so I sent all the documents to them at their request - I have just heard that it has been sent to the Times for publication but I doubt if they will give it space.’ Comments on the Relief of Lucknow and debates in Parliament on the Mutiny. His son Freddy [Frederick Jervis] is at Addiscombe. His daughter ‘‘Fanny Playfair still occasionally a great Sufferer - she has moved to Portobella with her two Boys.’’

‘25 June 1858 Vernon Terrace, Brighton’

‘‘If my sketching days had not gone by I should be tempted to envy you your journeyings but it would only tantalize me to look at all the beautiful views without being able to transfer them to my sketch book’.’ Description of the house and life in Brighton with healthy air and views of the sea, and news of house guests. More news of John’s illness. ‘‘...our son Fredk has passed his Addiscombe examinations with great credit standing 5th for the Engineers in three terms is doing well indeed.’’ Report for the term written by Sir F Abbott.’ ‘....Mr F Home bids fairly to emulate the conduct of his distinguished & lamented brother.’’ Writes of Duncan ‘‘It is hard not to say unjust that the Victoria Cross has not been awarded to either poor Duncan or Salkeld after all - a memo has appeared in the Times to say that the Cross would have been awarded had they survived surely it is incorrect to say poor Duncan did not survive when he escaped without any injury whatever from the desperate encounter which earned to him the Cross!! Fanny has gone up to Town...she is trying to find out if by petitioning the Queen there is any chance of our obtaining the cross.’’

‘30 December 1858 8 Vernon Terrace Brighton’

John’s illness has worsened. Fanny taken to Southampton and put on the steamer for India while her two boys were left in Scotland. ‘‘Fran seemed to think it a satisfactory arrangement, but we have no means of judging so can only hope it may turn out so...’’ Mentions Webb-Smith ‘‘I do not recollect our having fallen in with Mr Webb- Smith nor do I remember the name - but my memory is failing me sadly - especially in names.’’

‘29 May 1859 Vernon Terrace Brighton’

‘Our Old Friend Dr Row with his son William and Daughter Mary and grandson Johnny Hogg arrived from India in the Hotspur....and are now up in town passing their Baggage through the Custon House...We have heard from our Daughter Fanny from Agra by last mail. She was not so well as when she landed at Calcutta but wrote in good spirits. They seem to have got a nice House and to have made themselves very comfortable. Not one line have we had from Master Robert for the last 7 mails. Fanny Playfair mentions having heard from him and that he was all right and liked his work on the Daoab Canal.... She mentions a very extraordinary circumstance which I hope may prove true. An old Fakeer whom I had often met at Simon Fraser’s House & who in my presence had more than once told Simon that when he died poor Simon should be his Heir - Has died and Fanny Playfair has been applied to for the address of Simon Fraser’s sons to whom the whole of the Old Fakeer’s property amounting to an incredible sum is to go. What a Godsend this will be if it does prove true - especially to poor John Fraser at Smyrna who has a wife and six children without a penny to his name.’’

‘12 June 1859 The Retreat, Weston’

Visiting John and Susan, description of John’s illness. ‘‘ Fred Campbell...passed his examination with such eclat and...may he succeed equally well in all his career in India...an old Indian Friend of ours Mrs Genl Penny’ [Louisa Margaret,widow of Maj- General Nicholas Penny, Bengal Fusiliers] ‘whose husband was killed in the Mutiny, is coming to us on the 27th.’

‘8 November 1859 Vernon Terrace Brighton’

‘‘Our old Indian Friend Dr Row’s sister - she is a sad cripple from Rheumatism which she has suffered from, ever since her shipwreck in the Great Liverpool on her return from India when she lost everything she had & was for hours drenched in the sea....We have had several old friends come home from India these last few months....Dr Row & his Daughter Mary & two of her Brothers - Mrs Penny & her Daughter & several others....We have had most contradictory accons of poor Fanny Playfair from Agra - at one time we fully expected the next mail would bring accounts of her death - but she still holds on apparently by a thread - though from the opinion of the Doctors who attended to her here & who have seen the lengthened statements of her case...there can be no actual disease of the lungs, or any reason whatever to apprehend immediate danger...and I cannot help believing that she has all along’ ‘been the victim of overdosing...We have been getting a likeness in oil of our lamented Duncan done here by a clever young artist who we think has recorded wonderful well.’’

7.

Letter from Caroline Purvis Fraser (daughterof Richard) to Harriet Campbell.

‘14 June 1852 Mussoorie’

Written a few weeks after her marrriage to R W Fraser. Hopes to return to England for good in four or five years. Mentions staying at Mussoorie for the season in a very comfortable house. Fran and George Playfair plus small son staying with them, the child ill with water on the brain. Her parents taken a house in Mussoorie for two years as they much prefer it to Naini Tal, and it is just across the road from the Frasers..’ ‘Uncle Simon is now Commissioner at Meerutt...Duncan has got an appointment on the Baree Doab Canal up in the Punjaub....Mussoorie is very dull this season, hardly anything going but I don’t care for that as I do not wish for parties half as much now as I used to do.’’

8.

From Charles Alexander Blagrave, Madras Infantry to Col Robert Home.

‘4 July 1839 Calcutta’

‘‘I knew of your rejection of Jaulnah or at least conjectured it from seeing a junior Colonel appointed and I am glad of it though from your saying nothing of Trichinopoly in your last I fear that also has escaped you but that will matter little if all tales are true, the papers of today mention that the General Staff of this Army are on their return to Calcutta to arange matters for an immediate war with Ava.’ An account of an accident while hunting a tiger near his house. Mentions visiting Major and Mrs Home and Miss Fraser [Richard, Fran and her sister] and his brother Tom [Thomas Colvin] ill with liver and expected to embark for England on sick leave. ‘‘I have just come in from a walk with the Buckshy having met Mrs Birch and been introduced by Him to Her....I promised you accounts of Burma but have not learnt anything further than that the people of Rangoon continue fortifying the Pagoda and levying men. McLeod still at Ava Col Benton has promised me the escort if He returns and all is quiet.’

9.

Letters from Mrs A C Carmichael to Mrs Duncan, Jan, Nov, Dec 1840. St Heliers, Jersey.

Mrs Carmichael is in charge of their daughters Caroline and Fanny while Richard and Frances are in India. Fran arrives backin England with Duncan by the end of 1840. Letters mostly concerned with health matters and the way the girls are being taught and disciplined.

10.

Letters from Edward and Mary Hall to Mrs Duncan dated 1833, 1838, 1847, from Wales. Mary Hall was the sister of Harriet Home, wife of Robert.

Letter of 2 May 1838 has a vivid description of Harriet setting off for India and being seen off by her family and friends as far as Gravesend.

11.

Thank-you letter from Robert Home, son of Richard, to an aunt.

‘July 17th 1855 Parade, Epsom.’

‘Many thanks for your kind present...I spent part of it in buying a moist color box which I hope to find useful in sketching of which I am very fond. The rest I spent together with £5 Uncle Charles was so kind as to give me in buying a revolver, a very handsome one combining all the latest improvement...altho’ I most dearly hope I may never be obliged to use it in earnest...I have been very busy getting my outfit and so forth - I embark tomorrow at Portsmouth where I hope to meet Uncle Charles my father and mother accompany me there....I sail on Thursday morning at daylight so my time is really now very short, in fact this is my last night of sleeping in a bed for some time to come....I shall always have your kind pesent in use, so I shall always have the kind giver in my remembrance.’

12.

Two undated letters from Harriet to her sister Caroline. [July and Oct 1833].

Family news.

13.

Letter to Harriet from her cousin Ann, dated 7 Jan 1847, 57 Gower Street.

Family news of a wedding and a mention of Duncan Home going to Woolwich to study engineering.

14.