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An Account of a Journey in Kashmir by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer and Letters from Emily Overend Lorimer to her Parents sent from Bahrain and Kerman [579v] (1180/1291)
The record is made up of 2 files (630 folios). It was created in 1898-1914. It was written in English and Persian. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
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LXVT.
KEiiMAK,
24-6-14
Tf-lk of fceing busy ! The King’s afternoon snow on 22nd. went
off very well. We had several days of close thundery weather which
made everything rather a grind, and the servants seemed stupider and
lazier even than usual and the grasshopper was a burden; hut in the e
end ve got all preparations well over before lunch and were able to t
taice an afternoon siesta in peace before the greats could arrive.
When I say we, I don’t mean Lock and me, for tho Lock was busy enough
it was with his own proper work — which won't stand still for
ceremonies — but krs. Taylor and I. She was an awful brick and too
over the arranging of the fibers and ca'Kes while I heaved furniture
etc. and die the inevitable running about and overseeing. The cook
had really played up very well and we had lafchin’s and iashln’s
of all sorts of cakes. The joke was of course that in all the
y guests perhaps ate it lbs. weight of cakes and the remaining 'twelve
baskets’^re now drying up and will probably remain our staple food
for some weeks until it becomes impossible to break them even with
a coal chisel. Some of the big uncut cakes I have very carefully
wrapped up and with luck I hope they will see me through my
Tournament at home. The 20 lbs of native sweetmeats I distributed
to^ the clerks (Fatty not yet gono) and the servants. And we have
asked all the chlldeen up for tomorrow afternoon and hooe that they
will account for a fair quantity of food. ‘ But it does seem horribl
wasteful, and yet I don't 000 what one can do.
The iced coffee was voted a great success, and so were the ices
and iced drinks. And those who are afraid of ices were very
gratefuln for ray nfcco little shapes of fruit-saiao. jelly with
whipped cream 'hioh we handed round as an alternative. * The show
Itself bore a family resemblance to all previous shows, except that
the exceptionally stuffy weather made everyone exceptionally hot and
sticky in full dress uniforms or frock coats. Lock and Mr. F.
triumphantly cool end smilimg in their white uniforms. We drew
comfort from thinking of the terrible fusses and heat of Teheran.
The absurd diplomatic service coos not condescend to hhite uniforms
for summer and they must have been pretty woill boiled.
Tonight In our official dinner. The table is laid, all done
^ in pale ycMo6 and nasturtiums, with the roc. menu cards and name
cards tnd the y 11or and crimson hane painted velfvet tab!a centre
It really looks beautiful. Mrs. T. made me some lovely French
creams ^or the occasion, half are white with silver balls and half
pale yellow with dabs of deep<-r yellow on top. I have often meant
to try making French fondants, but never quite had ihe courage to do
it.^ Having aeon how very simple it is I shall he less afraid, I
look forward to making some for Mother when I go home. We certainl
made for a few pence what would have cost ic/- at Fuller’s; against
this put the fact that it took two of us about three hours .’
About this item
- Content
This file consists of two separate physical files as follows:
1) An account of a journey in Kashmir in 1898-99 written by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer of the Indian Army. His account is entitled 'Three Months of Privilege Leave'. It contains his observations on the languages, peoples, transport, flora and fauna, trade and climate of the region. There are occasional edits and corrections to the original text marked in red pen. The Persian language material in the file is a proverb written on folio 194.
In addition to this travel diary, the following is enclosed: an essay by Lorimer entitled 'Modern Education' dated 9 February 1895 (folios 1-24); two copies of a pamphlet that was published 'for private circulation' in memory of David's brother, John Gordon Lorimer, following his death on 8 February 1914 (folios 255-262); and another essay by Lorimer entitled 'Our Indian N.W. Frontier - a study in a bye-gone Civilisation. A forgotten Chapter of Frontier History' (folios 221-253).
2) Copies of letters that were sent from Emily Overend Lorimer to her parents, Thomas George Overend and Hannah Kingsbury. The letters describe the lives of Emily and her husband, David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer (referred to as 'Lock' in the letters), while living in Bahrain from October 1911 until November 1912 (folios 263-310) and in Kerman from January 1913 until November 1914 (folios 313-634). David served as Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Bahrain 1911-12 and as HM Consul, Kerman and Persian Baluchistan, 1913-14.
The letters discuss a range of topics including Lorimer's observations of local customs, food, climate, scenery and festivals; the couple's domestic life and arrangements (especially their servants, who are often discussed in racialised, insulting language); and her interactions with other non-local residents. Also discussed are Lorimer's reading habits, her and her husband's health, family news and, occasionally, world events and political developments.
On folios 322-324, the file contains a description of a walk around Kerman in March 1914 that is accompanied by a sequence of six small black and white photographs of various points in the journey (folios 315-321).
In addition to these letters, the file also contains a number obituaries and letters of condolence written upon the death of David's brother, John Gordon Lorimer, on 8 February 1914 (folios 299-302, 415-416 and 543-544).
On folio 417, the file contains an obituary of David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer published in an unknown newspaper following his death on 26 February 1962.
- Extent and format
- 2 files (630 folios)
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: this file consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence commences at the front cover of volume one (ff 1-262) and terminates at the inside back cover of volume two (ff 263-634); these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
- Written in
- English and Persian in Latin and Arabic script View the complete information for this record
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An Account of a Journey in Kashmir by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer and Letters from Emily Overend Lorimer to her Parents sent from Bahrain and Kerman [579v] (1180/1291), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur D922/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100179946968.0x000090> [accessed 30 January 2025]
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- Reference
- Mss Eur D922/1
- Title
- An Account of a Journey in Kashmir by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer and Letters from Emily Overend Lorimer to her Parents sent from Bahrain and Kerman
- Pages
- 263r:298v, 303r:306v, 309r:391v, 393r:411v, 418r:542v, 545r:634v
- Author
- Lorimer, Emily Martha
- Copyright
- ©Munro Family
- Usage terms
- Creative Commons Attribution Licence