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CHAPTER XI
1876-8
CHAPTER X
India (continued)
The birth of Charles junior
After leaving Delhi, Major Acton and his regiment proceeded to Peshawur, where, in February, 1876, a second son [Charles Annesley Acton] was born, during the absence of the Major at Amritsar. He visited several towns during February and March, 1876, and at every place he assisted in church services, reading prayers, and sometimes a sermon, or holding Bible-classes. On his return to Peshawur the little son was christened Charles Annesley.
Major Acton felt deeply on the subject of the ritualistic tendencies of the chaplain at Peshawur, and faithfully remonstrated with him on the points of which he disapproved. Owing to his earnest endeavours, some of the ritual was altered, to the relief of many of the men, as well as of Major Acton.
Cholera, polo and self-reproach
An accident which befell him while playing polo occasioned his going for change to Murree. On his return to Peshawur, after a pleasant and beneficial time, cholera broke out, and there were many deaths.
Life at Peshawur was busy and full of interest to the Major, who was never weary of working among the men, and who added to his regimental duties many hours of earnest endeavour to sow seeds of good in the hearts of those about him. He also here, as elsewhere, was keen on sport of all kinds, and joined in racing and polo matches, etc.
The diary abounds, however, in expressions of naif-reproach, especially on the subject of his being often late for services or appointments, etc. This, he says, was one of his besetting sins. A certain unreadiness or stiffness of speech or manner, too, gave him much trouble, and caused him to blame himself. But this last fault, caused, as he says himself, by nervousness and a too solitary life, was soon forgotten, or even unnoticed, by those who understood the real kindness and sterling goodness of his character.
Celebrations and return to England
On January 1st, 1877, Queen Victoria was proclaimed Kaisar-i-Hind (Empress of India) with the Imperial salute of 101 guns. In the evening there were illuminations and fireworks in honour of the wranjon, and Major Acton records in his diary going with his wife to see them.
In March, 1877, they visited Rawul Pindi, with its lovely gardens and groves, which they greatly admired, especially the Shalima Gardens. Various other places were visited on the way to Bombay, which city was reached on April 2nd. Here they embarked for England, but the voyage was very unpleasant. The ship was not at all a good one, and they endured many discomforts from this cause. Storms delayed the passage somewhat, but on May 4th the vessel reached Liverpool, and Major and Mrs. Acton at once proceeded to London. The meeting with their two elder children was naturally a great pleasure to the parents, who had been so long separated from them, and Charles Acton remarks on the eldest (Willie) that he was ' such a big boy—does not seem to belong to us!' [An anecdote from Evelyn about their parents' return.]
Visits to Surrey and Co Wicklow; birth of Reggie.
A visit to relatives at Godstone in Surrey followed, and then the whole party went to Ireland, and stayed for some time in Wicklow, where a third son was born. While in Ireland Major Acton enjoyed much shooting. There were also Bible-readings, services, and Total Abstinence meetings, in which he joined with much pleasure.
Returning to England, Major and Mrs. Acton went for a time to Norwood, where they stayed with friends. The Crystal Palace was a great enjoyment to them and to their children.
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Note in ECA Wynne's writing, found in the book about her father:
This is an extract from my dear Father's Diary. Norwood. March 1878. St Patrick's Day 17th.
With G, W, Eve, and Cotton to Gipsy Hill Church. Revd Allen Little Sins! An excellent sermon, may God bless it to both of us. Are my sins little? Sloth, self-indulgence, envy, anger, inattention, wandering thoughts and sleepy when in Church, anything against love. I seem to get glimpse of what a delightful state it would be to live altogether for Xt. - to be perfect. By God's grace we will.
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A home in Tunbridge Wells
At length they settled down at Tunbridge Wells, where Major Acton bought a house. Here he at once became an indefatigable and earnest worker among the poor, visiting them in their homes, and relieving their necessities with a generous hand. The Sunday services, and the earnest preaching of Canon Hoare, were a great pleasure, and meetings of the Total Abstinence Society were greatly enjoyed, and were rendered more strenuous and earnest by Major Acton's presence and speaking.
Back to India, alone
In September, 1878, Major Ball-Acton started for India, leaving behind him his wife and five children. This time he went via Brindisi, and saw something of Italian scenery on the way, but does not seem to have admired it much. At Brindisi he went on board the P. and O. steamer Ceylon, where one of his fellow-passengers was a Colonel who was a Plymouth Brother. Many discussions on religious subjects were the natural consequence, but, although the points of difference were not adjusted, Major Acton says :
'I tell him I have thought lately Plymouth Brethrenism is schism of the worst kind. I say afterwards I was wrong, as I believe the Plymouth Brethren to be God's children, not schismatic.'
After another long talk with Colonel H. he says :
'I told him plainly I go to my Regimental balls, and our Station races. He replies it is not what is right or wrong, but what our privileges are as sons of God. I believe he is right in this. May I be given grace to know what is the mind of God in this for me, and may I bow thereto with my whole heart and life, rejoicing that I have anything to sacrifice for Christ.'
Sightseeing near Rawul Pindi
In October the steamer arrived at Bombay, and Major Acton at once joined his regiment, which was under orders to proceed to Afghanistan. A long march followed, and during this he held many services for the men under trees at the various halting-places. Between Rewat and Rawul Pindi Charles Acton visited a curious building, which he thus describes:
'I inspect ancient building, said to be Buddhist of 1st century. Dome or haycock shaped. Perhaps 100 feet high, and 100 feet diameter. Faced with cut sandstone, quite fresh-looking. Some parts of limestone much cut by effects of weather, but what remains very hard. Of this are plinths of the base terrace, so that they are quite rough, while the sandstone is quite smooth. At top in centre is a square well, some 30 feet deep and 20 feet wide; faces of this of dressed stone (lime). At bottom large slabs of stone forming a floor, partly broken thro'; in one corner the angle of a rectangular opening, evidently a trap doorway. Below, the well appears to go to the level of the ground. . . . General Cunningham found a lot of chambers one under the other, each apparently more holy than the upper ones. In the lowest a bottle of fluid, gold and copper cup, and coins.'
This relic of an ancient religion interested Charles Acton much.
The prospect of war in Afghanistan
A letter written about this time shows what he expected in this 'little war':
Camp Rewat,
1 29 Oct., '78.
'Here we are all well, expecting to march into Rawul Pindi to-morrow about 8 a.m. Whether we shall go on next day for Hassan Abdal or elsewhere we know not. We do not expect to have very much fighting, and by all accounts the commissariat have no supplies ready.
At Hassan Abdal we shall be ready to march either south for Kohat or Kurrum Valley, or to Peshawur and through the Kyber, or by Fort Michin by another pass to Lalpura, getting behind Ali Musjid. You need not alarm yourself about me, for we are not likely to have any desperate fighting; more likely none at all. Each officer other than C.O. is to take but 80 lbs. of baggage and H0 lbs. of camp equipage — i.e. tent, bed, etc. — one servant with 10 lbs. baggage, and one servant with ditto to every three officers. Each mounted officer two servants, 10 lbs. each for each horse. So I'll have khit. [khitmutgar: Indian equivalent for 'servant'] and bearer in one, sais and grasscut, and |- of a bhisti. [A water carrier, as to a household or a regiment.] Men are allowed 30 lbs. We are now but 561 strong, but are healthy. Captain Collins and D Company are the depot at Subathu.
We have nice cool weather now, at night quite cold. We march at 3 to 5 a.m., so as to arrive in camp about 8 a.m.
We met Farrington at Shelam on his way to Lucknow, where he is pakka A.A.G. One Schmidt got command of his regiment. Mrs. F. is coming out. Everyone says to me how fortunate Mrs. B. A. stayed at home.
I fear that peace with honour is a bad joke now.'
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 "The Crystal Palace")