Catalogue description Letter

C. M. Shore to Mrs. Hill.

Jubni poor(?)

"My dear Mrs. Hill, Your kind and welcome letter of the 14 of September reached me safely on the 12th of February a few days before our return from a long march thro' our new dominions. I should have answered it before this, but was not well for some weeks afterwards; and in the meantime received my letters from home, which required early acknowledgments. I assure you, it gave me real pleasure to hear from you, as it was long since I had received more than general reports of you and yours. My Mother, who is my only regular correspondent except Lord Teignmouth collect materials for the family history as well as she can, but this embraces so wide a circle, now, that of course there was but little detail; and this little is confined to my own family - Painful indeed have been the communications for the last two years, and nothing but Superior Power could have supported my poor Mother and Cornelius thro' their severe trials - The last accounts however I am thankful to say were all good. Henry Ryder seems I think, quite restored, and Cornelius writes cheerfully, and talks of the pleasure they both received from entering again into society; and from dear Caroline I received the best proof of her recovery in a long and sensible letter, dated in October last. In the meantime I have had my own trials; tho' fully mixed with blessings and comforts - the severest during the last year, was a separation for seven months from Frederick, consequent upon his new appointment, during great part of which time we were both ill, and could not (if it had been necessary) have come to each other but at the risk of our lives - the heat of the Season rendering travelling injurious, and the distance being so great. In the meantime, I had the entire management of our larger ..... (?) establishment, amounting to upwards of a hundred native servants, not one of whom had ever before been subject to petticoat government - My deafness has entirely prevented me from learning the language, so that Louisa's governess was obliged to interpret every order or communication; and yet so easily are these prople managed, that by giving a little authority to one intelligent Hindoo, after the first fortnight, I had little or no trouble. Tell John I had 10 horses and 20 grooms to manage among the number, besides 8 cows, 60 sheep-goats, poultry, cats, dogs, and pets of all kinds, and that I used to go round the different yards in the evening, in my Tonjon (a sort of chair like the top of a Phaeton carried on men's shoulders) and see that all was right. Early in November I embarked with all the above, in a fleet of 8 large boats, as big as those great baggage boats you may have seen on some of our large canals - (our furniture also included) and after 12 days sail down the Ganges, arrived at Mirsapoor, where I found Frederick waiting to receive me in full state his ......., including an escort of Infantry and one of Cavalry in the beautiful Native Costume (Green tunies and flowing scarlet trousers,) amounted to from 700, to 1000 people, accumulating as we proceeded; besides elephants, Camels, Buffaloes, bullocks, horses, cows, sheep, &c. &c. We had several Officers with their wives and separate establishments, the doctor, who is attached to the appointment, and all the English Native and East Indian Officials - It was a beautiful sight sometimes to look down upon the Tents from the top of a high hill, and Louisa, who is become a reader of Scripture lore, used to say we were like the children of Israel travelling thro' the wilderness - The scenerey was almost the whole way from Mirsapoor to this place, very beautiful, and after four years sojourn in a flat country, you may imagine our delight at mounting hills of six or seven hundred feet high, and crossing clear streams winding thro' woods and rocks - the road was so fine, that I was able to ride great part of the way, and you can hardly imagine the animation of the morning March, for we were of course usually off at daybreak and reached our ground before the sun rose high enough to make it unpleasant.

Part of Frederick's charge at present, is the superintendence and surveillance of the Native Princes (or Rajahs) who were allowed their independence when we conquered this country. There are seven, in different parts of the territory under his control, and we passed thro' the states of the principal. I was much amused with the different shows and Native processions - having hitherto only seen those of the Upper Provinces, which are principally Mahometan. These are all Hindoos - a very inferior and most primitive race of beings; who nevertheless have an idea that they are the most enlightened of the human race-talk to you of their pedigree of eight and nine centuries; show you their gardens and houses, and in short seem about as far advanced in the march of intellect as the Squires and Country gentlemen of England must have been two hundred years ago - They have no intercourse with the world, they live at home surrounded by flatterers and dependants; and they amuse themselves with gambling, drinking, and feasting - some hoarding up their money - and some squandering it in folly and extravagance. Upon grand days they put on all their finery - Shawls, pearls and Jewels mount their Elephants, covered with scarlet andgold, and go forth to show themselves, or meet some neighbouring chief, when it is as My dear Father used to say "a game of Brag" who should outvie the other.

We arrived here about the middle of December, and shortly after set out again on a two month march thro' the interior of the country - the scenery on the river Nerbudda is beautiful, and the country is well cultivated near the English stations, but in other parts completely in a state of nature, overgrown with forest and jungle, and full of wild beasts - Tigers and wolves, Hyenas, and Bears; besides wild dogs (one of which we caught) who hunt in packs; we encountered six tigers indifferent directions, and brought home 3 fine skins with us - The gentlemen had excellent sport, and supplied us with game almost daily, antelope, deer, and hare - and birds of all kinds - of which the grouse, Partridge, and Quail are nearly as fine in flavour as those in England. has just a beautiful for tiger shooting, and as they are found within a mile or two of this place, he hopes to have some sport.

Two were killed last week. Of the nature of Frederick's new appointment, there isnone in England that could give you anyidea. It is a sort of vice-royalty or Governership - and he has almost unlimited power over an extent of country more than equal to Ireland - he has the power of life and death, of raising or lowering the revenue, administering justice, &c. &c., subject in some cases only to the Governor General, in others to an Appeal to the Supreme Anglo Indian Court. It is an appointment which seems exactly suited to him, and calls forth all his powers - he has little or no personal fatigue or detail of business - all which is done by English and Native officers under him - and his mind is at liberty to form general plans for the improvement of the country, and to communicate his ideas in writing. Hitherto Government have approved of and agreed to all his measures, and if he remains here a few years, I think he will be a blessing to the people. The English officers under him are almost all military men - some of them enjoy incomes of £2,000 a year, and the lowest has £600 so that it is a very lucrative service. His own salary is about £3,500 a year, which is less than his predecessor enjoyed, but sufficient to enable us to save, so as I trust to return to England in8 years, living at the same in a style which in England would require at least £6,000 a year. We have an excellent house with a large domain attached to it, and the scenery around us is beautiful. Not the least like any part of India I have yet seen, but quite English scenery. Woods and Lakes interspersed with cultivation, and rocky hills rising all round - Hitherto Thank God, we have had excellent health and the climate is much less oppressive than that of Upper India. The children are out of doors regularly two hours, morning and evening and run about the house during the day just as they would at home. They have each a pony,and Louisa is a famous horsewoman, and rides in the Oriental Style (across) in a full pair of scarlet turkish trousers, while Clara is fastened into a Spanish saddle, and trots along as pleased as possible. They are perfectly fearless. Louisa rode through the Nerbudda(?) on the march (a river about 150 yards wide - 2 and half deep, and very rapid) with the whole camp crossing at the time. I wish their friends in England could see them now, for I think they can never be half so pretty and so engaging hereafter. Louisa is very like Frederick in everything, but she has Lady Teignmouth's nose and shaped face and my Mother's eyes! She gets on with her English studies as well as I could expect, reads well, and learns quickly, and is very steady and industrious. Little Clara is of course the pet at present.

She was exactly like Caroline Shore at first, but I think is less so now, and people say she is like me. She will however I hope be an improved edition of her Mama - and is at present a very lovely little creature with fair skin, blue eyes, and curly hair hanging down her back. She too begins to talk and make herself heard. She is just 19 months old - The difference between her age and Louisa's prevents any rivalry or interference and their love for one another is a great blessing - My Governess (Mrs. Steward) has many valuable qualities as a teacher, and I only wish she were equal to their future progress - but she has no acquirements beyond reading and writing and in a year or two I must seek for some one more qualified. If their health continues good I shall not send them home. Well I think I have given you a pretty full account of ourselves, as you requested and only hope in return you will send me as much of you and yours. I rejoice to hear all goes on so happily at Hawkstone and at the Citadel - John has I think a treasure in his wife, who must be a comfort to you - poor Mrs. Kenyon! I have felt for her, and trust one day she will be rewarded for all she has suffered. I was very glad to hear Philip had taken to domestic life and that she had so amicable a partner to share it with him. I trust his health is re-established. Frederick I hope are this has presented you with another Grandchild - I should have thought Rachael would have returned to Shropshire now that she is Mistreas of Acton Renald - but I suppose Sir Vincent (is not that his title) prefers the excitement of a Continental life. Is Miriam likely to preside at Sundorne as head of the house, or is Mrs. Corbet still presiding.

Have any of the Bachelor heads of houses of which there so many had the good taste to follow Sir Rowland's example.

Mr. Fielding, Mr. Cotes, Mr. LLoyd etc. ? - I see many of the young ladies are mated - Owens, and Pigots, Lord Kenyon's daughter and others. I saw the name of Sir Robert and Lady Cunliffe among the guests at a grand fete given at Hawkstone. His eldest daughter was staying with me last year and is now married to a clever amiable man who is one of the finest sketchers I ever saw. She is very dark (her Mother was a Native I believe) but a shrewd clever girl. The other sister is also well married.

I hope e'er this you have received a slight remembrance from me in the shape of a pair of Cashmere socks and gloves. All the Natives of rank in the Upper Provinces wear them in the cold weather. I should think some of the fine Welch knitters might imitate them and they would be pretty for Carriage costume in the cold weather. My paper is come to an end so I must say Good bye. Frederick unitesin love and remembrances to you and all to whom they are acceptable he has desired Lord T. to send you a copy of his book "Notes on India" which I suppose no one will ever look at, except perhaps Miss Jane my very kind love to her , Yrs. affect. C.M. Shore".

(2 sheets).

Directed to Mrs. Hill, The Citadel, Hawkstone.