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8 Aug 58 Julius Azimgurh Mother Hyde Park Place (West) ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Azimgurh, 8th August /58

My dear Mother

I find upon examining my lists that I have rather fallen off in my correspondence lately, but it is uncommonly hard to fill up 4 inches of a large sheet of paper with anything that you could read through without yawning.

Of course we are here quite alone with the exception of the 4 Civilians & although we are as comfortably put up as it is possible I think there are several of us who begin to wish October was not so far off, & that it was time to begin once more an action life. We are tired of monotony.

At present the wet season is on & it would be impossible to live under a tent & the heat is still very great. I shall be happy to see our Second Battalion in the Gazette as it will give rise to several steps & I shall be very glad to see myself getting up in the world.

I think all our Capts. except the new ones will leave, & or exchange. India is no favourite & people will all be glad to get away from it. I think I am well satisfied as anyone out here & I cannot say that I have a very great opinion of it, or would stay here if I could get on anywhere else.

I have heard no more from Peter or John lately. I see Arthur’s ship the Clarence sailed from England. I hope he will take to India kindly.

Tell my Father not to forget what I mentioned about the best Regiments &c. as by all accounts I was right & a word spoken at the time may save trouble hereafter.

I hope my Father’s whooping cough is all right & that he has got over his ailings.

I suppose this will reach you at the sea side. I wonder where you will go to. I am afraid you will neglect your constituents.

With love to all from yr. affect. son

J D Laurie