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CHAPTER IX
1873-5
India (continued)
A letter of September, 1873, expresses Major Acton's thankfulness at having attained to more kindness of manner :
Sept., '73.—I trust I have made some little progress in kindness of feeling and manner, even since being in this country, especially with my servants, who constantly imitate me, and I now feel it a sin when I speak roughly or unkindly to them. " Let us follow after peace." I am convinced that we can do nothing tending more to the glory of God than approaching that standard by His help. Let us pray for both of us that we may " grow " in this.'
The couple are reunited - in India
In November, 1873, Mrs. Acton joined her husband, and his diary gives an account of this happy reunion. It was a good thing for Major Acton that Mrs. Acton came to him, as henceforth she was able to exercise more care over his health than he had been willing to do.
Major and Mrs. Acton met at Lucknow, whither he had gone to meet her, and on their way back to Fyzabad they visited Allahabad and Cawnpore, with its sorrowful memories of the Mutiny.
Acton becomes Ball-Acton
In December, Major Acton received news of a legacy to him of an estate and plate worth about £500 per annum, from a Miss Ball. This seems to have been a pleasant surprise.
The Major and his Lady as tourists
Major Acton and his wife left Fyzabad for a time in the following April, and spent some weeks in visiting Cawnpore, Agra, and Delhi. At Agra they visited the beautiful Taj Mahal, so often described by travellers, and also the Moti Musjid (pearl mosque), of white marble.
Delhi was reached on April 18th,and on the next day (Sunday) they attended service in Colonel Skinner's church, built by him in consequence of a vow he made in battle to build a church if spared. He was spared, but was killed afterwards in a second action at the same place. The Jumna Mosque, with its immense flight of steps and its relics of Mahomet, interested them much, and their khansaman kissed the relics with great reverence. They also visited the Cabul gate, where Nicholson fell. Old Delhi was also visited. Major Acton says:
'Up 5.30 a.m. Drive to Old Delhi. Such a scene of old ruins, mostly rubbish, for miles and miles. Here and there tombs and mosques in good condition.
Among these they saw the tomb of Jehanara Begum, covered with grass; according to her wish inscribed upon it: ' Let no rich canopy cover my grave — this grass is the best covering for the poor in spirit.' The site of the fort in Old Delhi is mentioned as that of a Hindu city, 1500 b.c. There is a fine old red sandstone mosque falling into ruins.
In command of the convalescent
After leaving Delhi, Major and Mrs. Acton visited Kasauli, a hill station near Simla, and much appreciated the view of snowy mountains in the distance. From Kasauli they proceeded to
Dalhousie, as Major Acton had been appointed to the command of the Convalescent Depot there.
At Dalhousie he organized the first Soldiers Total Abstinence Society, which has flourished ever since. Bible readings, etc., were arranged with friends, and much work was carried on among the soldiers.
Birth of Grace
In December, 1874, a second daughter (Grace) was born to Major and Mrs. Acton.
Life at Dalhousie was very pleasant, as Charles Acton found many congenial friends there, and he enjoyed the work connected with his appointment. The climate, too, was less trying than that of Fyzabad, and there was shooting to be obtained in the neighbourhood. The winter of 1874-75 was apparently an exceptional season, as in December Major Acton records 'sprinkle of snow,' and in the following January 'six inches of snow.'
Two months of shooting
In January, 1875, an expedition to Chumba was undertaken for the sake of shooting. On this journey Major Acton repeatedly mentions cold and snow, and he seems to have had some troublesome climbing and perilous adventures in search of game. One of these adventures is thus described. After some particulars as to amount of game seen and lucky or unlucky shots, etc., Major Acton says:
'After some time I say we'll go on, perhaps we'll see Gooryl. The shikaries will hardly stir, but at last we go on. It falls dark soon after we leave the nala, and then we are about two hours crawling along the most horrible place I've been in. Often I could not for minutes find a place to support my foot. The Patwar of Tikri wanted me to get on his back! He ties my pugaree round my waist, and holds this, while one of the shikaries holds my hand. At last we get on to fair ground, and, lighting a fire, sit down to rest. Thank God for setting our feet on a rock.'
This shooting expedition came to an end in March, when Major Acton returned to Dalhousie, and he records in his diary his thankfulness at finding his wife and the baby well.
Back to real life
In June, 1875, the appointment at Dalhousie came to an end, and, with many regrets, Major Acton left this beautiful place and returned to Fysabad, where his regimental duties once more engrossed him. Many annoyances were caused to him by his fellow-officers, but he was always ready to apologize to anyone he thought he had vexed, and in one such case the offended party declared that Major Acton's 'apology had quite won his heart,' and the two became the best of friends. Cholera broke out in the regiment, but Major Acton felt no fear, and never neglected to visit the sick in hospital and to minister both to their bodies and their souls. Yet his constant habit of self-distrust caused him evidently many a sharp pang as he reviewed in thought his words and actions, and he often bitterly reproached himself for faults of omission and commission, even while he was apparently working hard among his men, or with his fellow officers.
In August he mentions a remark made by the priest, 'There are three devils at home — Garibaldi, Victor Emmanuel, and Bismarck.'
dealing with unpleasant companions
A conversation respecting life at Fyzabad recorded in Major Acton's diary may be referred to here, though out of its place in time, as it shows the spirit in which he tried to meet the uncongeniality of his companions there. He speaks of the many drawbacks to the pleasantness of Fyzabad.
'But,' he adds, 'we profess to believe that all things work together for good to them that love God. Either then we must admit that we love not God, and, therefore, that things do not work for our good—or else that altho' Fyzabad must be included in "all things," we wish that God had not caused these things, tho' for our good — or else that we do not believe His doings are for our good. Which of these three? We must confess to the second — i.e. that we do not like the discipline. But this, of course, is wrong. We must submit to correction, and should be very thankful that the correction is so light, so easy to be borne, and pray, without doubting, that it may have the effect, and soften our desperately wicked hearts, convince us of our sin, and make our own that charity taught in the New Testament, especially in i Cor. xiii.'
It would be well if all who find themselves thrown into uncongenial society, and consider themselves misunderstood by their companions, would take the same view of their circumstances as Major Acton, and would turn to profit the trouble of which they often so bitterly complain.
Meeting the Prince of Wales
In the latter part of 1875, Major Acton and his regiment went to Delhi to the Camp of Exercise, on the occasion of the visit of the (then) Prince of Wales. Much enjoyment is expressed in the Major's diary. The native regiments were a fine sight in their picturesque uniforms as they marched past the Prince. The ball in honour of H.R.H. was very grand, and the rooms were beautifully decorated.
The Camp of Exercise was closed by a sham fight, which Major Acton criticises in his diary.
Nest chapter.
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 "Colonel and Mrs Ball-Acton with crocodile")
 "The view from Dalhousie")
Life at Dalhousie was very pleasant, as Charles Acton found many congenial friends there, and he enjoyed the work connected with his appointment. The climate, too, was less trying than that of Fyzabad, and there was shooting to be obtained in the neighbourhood. The winter of 1874-75 was apparently an exceptional season, as in December Major Acton records 'sprinkle of snow,' and in the following January 'six inches of snow.'