______________________________________________________________________________________________

18 Nov 61 Julius Fyzabad Mother ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Fyzabad

18 – 11 – 61

My dear Mother

I fear I am falling an irregular correspondent which will not do.

I have, ever since my return from the Hills, been full of occupation. I can hardly call it work as a good deal of my efforts have been directed to the furtherance of pleasure & sport. Holding (although as a temporary arrangement only) the proud position of Musketry Instructor to the Best shooting Regt. in India, of course much care has to be expended in seeing that this year, that part of the men’s military training receives the same attention.

I am afraid notwithstanding all our efforts that we shall not keep our place of No.1 for a second year – as my Father says but ‘nous recourrons’ (I have put an ‘r’ too much have not I? - on second thoughts I decide in favour of two r’s though if it was Hindustani now I should be in my element but not so in French I fear). My maxim is to expect the worst & hope for the best of everything.

During this last week we have been the gayest of the gay here & we haven’t yet done with our gaiety. We have had two days racing. The last day’s was very good for sky racing – several big dinners, a Pic Nic at the gardens (which by the bye I must some day describe to you as they are out & out the prettiest I have ever seen in India), including archery & croquet (which latter you see has reached even unto Fyzabad) and on Friday we had a rattling Race Ball which went off remarkably well - and for a Fyzabad Ball finished very early as I was home by 4am.

Saturday we devoted to Pig sticking but in sport we were unfortunate and contented ourselves with a bucketing ride. This year we have not had much sport out Pig sticking. The last day but one Swetenham of the RE, having speared an immense Boar right through the body was charged by the monster & horse & all overthrown onto the ground [from] which he was picked up with a broken leg. He is however doing well.

I am not mounted at all this year. Colopus the big brute, has foolishly strained one of his fore legs & is in a stall of blister – and a wretched little pony, which is all else I have, is not up to carrying 14½ stone (which is something about the weight I ride). I want a couple of really good nags. The mare, my Father’s present, I parted with (when I went up to the Hills) to a light weight, as one of her back sinews went under me.

I am very unlucky with horses, which in this country are all too light for me. I cannot afford to buy Cape or Australians which alone would answer for me, for I do like keeping with the light weights.

This last racing meeting I have done nothing, having neither horses to run nor money to lose. It is about the first time I have stood aloof from sport which in this case, with the exception of my Mess subscription, I have not patronised.

We are all very sad here & as this letter will show you in a most grumbling disposition, for the fiat has gone forth & we are to leave Fyzabad. There is not one of our number but is displeased at the idea of a move. In the GG’s* relief we were told off for Lucknow but that is altered to Seetapore & Rae Bareilly – a wing at each. It is a great nuisance having to go.

I have determined on going off to the Hills directly the hot weather is nigh & marching into Kashmir and all the other best parts. I am entitled to six month’s leave each year – I suppose you would hardly care to see me home just yet and I think as I am settled out here I may, if I keep my health, remain another year or so. Don’t you think this is reasonable.

My house is for sale for £85 which if I get, will be a very fair return as of course I could not expect to recover all I laid out on the place.

I expect in the first place to go with Hd. Qu. to Seetapore & finish the instruction of the Co. there before going to put the Detachment through their facings. If all goes well, I shall be a dweller in tents for the rest of the cold weather.

It is really very pleasant now and to my taste as fine a climate as there is in the world.

Jordan*, our most senior Capt. has lately returned from England with his ‘Missus’. All our people are getting married. The worst of it is that our ladies are not public spirited enough, but are always full of the cares of a family, babies &c.

There is to be a great Ball given by the Civilians on the 26th, and the other people in the Station are going to give us a Grand Entertainment before we leave. Nobody knows surely when we leave but I believe the 23rd are to relieve us before we go. They are not liked at all in Lucknow & the Fyzabadites are very sore about the change as we get on capitally with them.

I suppose we shall settle down comfortably enough at our next Quarter but at present I can hardly expect to enjoy any Indian place as we have done this.

I hope my Father has benefited by his Worthing trip. He appears to be a great sufferer. I often compare the two photographs I have of him. They (all that I have) are indeed a great source of pleasure to me. I often spend happy minutes looking at them & thinking of you all.

Love to all of you, not forgetting small sister & Believe me

yr. affect. son

J D Laurie

* GG’s – Governor General’s

* Jordan – Capt. Joseph Jordan