Letter from Edwin "Ned" Cushman to Susan Cushman Muspratt, n.d. [before 1858]
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Library of Congress, Charlotte Cushman Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
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[3167] My dear Mother
I have arrived in Bombay after a long but pleasant passage of one hundred and fifteen days. I liked the passage to India very much, There 's so much warm weather, which agrees with me very well. We[?] had some very hard gales of wind +++ the cape of Goa & Hope but that only lasted for two or three weeks. I had a very severe attack of cholera the night before Christmas day, and was very nearly a gone case but think to a very large amount of medicine I have nearly recovered. I am now working in the hold, It is very hard work but still — I like it better than being on deck in the sun doing nothing. One half of the sunda are in the cold and the other half keep watch on the +++ more for show than anything else. You remember the[?] fifth mate who you took such a dislike when You saw him on board. Well he was charged +++ the ship the day for
[3167 reverse] striking the captain. he was fourth mate this voyage The captain of course would not take him with him any more The +++ has now got a +++ as second mate of a large steamer out here, getting seventy-five rupees a month is equivalent to seven pounds, ten. on I rather think he has gained by[?] it. We shall not bring a fifth +++ home, as the +++ fifth is to be made fourth. I sent my letters of introduction ashore when I first got in but have not heard of anything but one, that was to a Mr Scovell[?], from the Littledales. I was treated very well, but like every where else in India all they do is to ask you to dinner and then think no more of you. I can not present the one to the governor for he is not present in town, but will be here in a weeks time. I was to[?] have gone to the island of elephants to day
[3168] but hearing that the mail left, day after to-morrow I have stayed on board in order to write to you. It is remarkably dull in Bombay unless you know some one to go to. I wish I knew some one intimately, to whom I could go whenever I liked. as it is now all one can do is to drive about in buggy or palanquin, in a soaring hot sun, and see lots of black people of all casts and sects. +++. +++ who are the most wealthy and influential next to Europeans, Mahommedans, +++, Sarks[?]. Moors[?]. Hindoos and every thing you can imagine. It is very beautiful to see the temples +++ +++ which are at way[?] turn. We live in the +++ like[?] fighting cocks. We have fowls, capons, meat of all desperation and every thing good Things are mostly very cheap here especially white trousers, which are only a rupee and a half a pair, which is, three
[3168 reverse] shillings. I have ordered half a dozen pair. If you like I will get a quantity sufficient to last me for several voyages to come, as I shall never again, perhaps, have so good a chance. We shall leave Bombay by the twentieth of January or the first of February at latest so that I shall be at home by the beginning of January. Will any thing wonderful be going on at that time. We have had a very nice girl on board on the passage out and of course I entered the lists in her, cause, and consequently came out victorious. I am now greaty chuffed[?] about her, but I take great credit to myself mind you, as she was the only young lady on board. She has gone up the country now, but I receive letters from her frequently. I had a very narrow escape with my life this passage. We were +++ to off the Cape of Good Hope in as all of wind, and +++ to
[3167 written across the page] that was entirely out of the question: I was standing on one of the +++ (trying to keep the wind from blowing up the +++ which the Carpenter was +++ down at the time and an immense +++ washed me through one of the ports which was +++ to allow the water to even off the deck I could not see anything but found myself washed back against the ships sic[?] side which I caught hold of and when the ship +++ over again I crawled in looking very much like a drowned rat[?]. That is if any one could have seen me I never had such a narrow escape before. I shall try to get into the Indian navy if I can whilst I live[?] here +++ is a very good place to get on and also the pay is very good. I think by the letter, I have to the governor +++ one I have to a captain in the Indian navy, from five hours ago
[3167 reverse written across the page] will do me a great deal of good. The worst part of it is I shall not be able to come home for two or three years. But I think I would sacrifice that to be able to do for myself. I received your letter on my arrival in Bombay which I am much obliged for I am sending this by the steamer which leaves day after to morrow [sic] and as I shall not be able to do anything tomorrow as we ship over +++ and that will leave me no spare[?] time. to put any more I will conclude this. I hope you are all well at home, So Baby much grown, I expect to find her walking when I get home. Good Bye, and Love to Grandmother, aunty, Uncle Charles and the Doctor and +++ +++ your affectionate son F. E. Cushman.
I have taken a new name. It was on account of a
[3168 written across the page] misunderstanding of "Ned" and as they had have never altered it. I mean that +++ the of then wrote to me and +++ it Fred. You dont [sic] know what fan I have had this passage.
