Eliza [Tabor] to Mary Tabor

To her mother from Allahabad. She finds the damp heat very unpleasant and will be glad when Oct comes, with better weather. Both she and John feel the need of a few days away. Mr Harrison sent a dead cobra for her to see; she is thankful she has never seen a live one, nor a scorpion or centipede. Black ants are a great pest. She has been promised a terrier puppy. She is enjoying Daniel Deronda, arriving in instalments. Has also been reading a book about conditions in India before the Mutiny, and is told there is still much of the same 'red tapeism'. Hears a story showing how the Government is sometimes bamboozled. A few clever boys were sent round from village to village to make a goods showing in every school. Hopes to come to England the year after next; John will perhaps come with her and stay for three months.