conversation with Colvin, the insights he received into Tyler did not please him. He wrote to the Queen telling her what he had heard, that the jail superintendent was ‘somewhat tactless’. In recent times, Tyler had apparently not been ‘altogether reasonable in his tone’. He had even pressurised Colvin to dispossess the present Inspector General of Prisons in order to make room for him and when informed that it was not possible, threatened to resign. 13
As for Wuzeeruddin, the Viceroy informed the Queen that the Munshi’s father had recently met Sir Auckland Colvin who had told him that he ‘desired nothing but to express his supreme sense of absolute contentment’. Lord Lansdowne said he would make it his business to inquire about Wuzeeruddin’s claim to a pension.
The letters did not please the Queen, who was getting annoyed with the delay at granting a promotion to Tyler and the negative remarks she had heard about him. One morning, with Abdul standing patiently by her side, she wrote a long angry letter to the Viceroy defending John Tyler and saying he had been unfairly passed over for promotions as ‘jealousies and ill-disposed persons interfered and Lord Dufferin was induced not to let him have it’.
Lansdowne was soon to realise that the Queen was not a person to give up easily. Despite her advancing years, she would write lengthy letters and send telegrams even when she was travelling. These arrived regularly on his desk, her spidery handwriting covering the black-lined notepaper, which she had used ever since the death of Prince Albert.
The Queen was determined to get Tyler promoted. She had been pleased with the man who had helped arrange the Colonial Exhibition and sent her Abdul Karim. She did not hesitate to express her dissatisfaction with the previous Viceroy and to indulge in some gossip with Lansdowne.
The Queen must say she thinks it was wrong of Lord Dufferin not to fulfil his promise towards her, but she feels that the person who influenced Lord Dufferin most against him (and she says so in strictest confidence ) is Lady Dufferin, as she does not favour the Female Medical Schools, or at least the manner in which theyare organised, and is very bitter against Sir John Tyler. The Viceroy should hear what his (Sir John Tyler’s) reasons are for himself . 14
The Queen had heard nothing about a pension for Wuzeeruddin and she now sent another urgent telegram to the Viceroy who was on tour in Umballa: ‘Wrote about Dr Tyler and Wuzeeruddin on 22nd. Latter wishes pension after more than 30 year’s service.’ 15
In May she wrote again to the Viceroy. She had clearly had an update from Karim about what had transpired between his father and Colvin at the railway station. She now explained to the Viceroy that Wuzeeruddin had no time to speak to Colvin except a few minutes at the station and he would not have asked for anything, as he has a much easier place than before, ‘but he is getting old, and wd. gladly retire on a pension, to which he is fully entitled for his long and good services, and the Queen wd be glad if he cd. have a little more than the actual ordinary pension on account of his son’s confidential position about the Empress and his (Abdul Karim’s) very exemplary conduct’. 16
The Queen was eager to help Karim in what she thought was a very reasonable request for his father’s pension. She realised how much she had missed him over the four months that he was away and how happy she was to have him back at her side. Having returned from the Continent, Karim seemed to be picking up some French as well. She wrote to Ponsonby:
As for Abdul Karim, the Queen can never praise him enough. He is zealous, attentive and quiet and gentle, has such intelligence and good sense, and (as all the Indians are) entirely intent on his duty and always ready to obey the slightest word or hint given. He will soon be able to copy a good deal for the Queen – even in French – and is an
As for Wuzeeruddin, the Viceroy informed the Queen that the Munshi’s father had recently met Sir Auckland Colvin who had told him that he ‘desired nothing but to express his supreme sense of absolute contentment’. Lord Lansdowne said he would make it his business to inquire about Wuzeeruddin’s claim to a pension.
The letters did not please the Queen, who was getting annoyed with the delay at granting a promotion to Tyler and the negative remarks she had heard about him. One morning, with Abdul standing patiently by her side, she wrote a long angry letter to the Viceroy defending John Tyler and saying he had been unfairly passed over for promotions as ‘jealousies and ill-disposed persons interfered and Lord Dufferin was induced not to let him have it’.
Lansdowne was soon to realise that the Queen was not a person to give up easily. Despite her advancing years, she would write lengthy letters and send telegrams even when she was travelling. These arrived regularly on his desk, her spidery handwriting covering the black-lined notepaper, which she had used ever since the death of Prince Albert.
The Queen was determined to get Tyler promoted. She had been pleased with the man who had helped arrange the Colonial Exhibition and sent her Abdul Karim. She did not hesitate to express her dissatisfaction with the previous Viceroy and to indulge in some gossip with Lansdowne.
The Queen must say she thinks it was wrong of Lord Dufferin not to fulfil his promise towards her, but she feels that the person who influenced Lord Dufferin most against him (and she says so in strictest confidence ) is Lady Dufferin, as she does not favour the Female Medical Schools, or at least the manner in which theyare organised, and is very bitter against Sir John Tyler. The Viceroy should hear what his (Sir John Tyler’s) reasons are for himself . 14
The Queen had heard nothing about a pension for Wuzeeruddin and she now sent another urgent telegram to the Viceroy who was on tour in Umballa: ‘Wrote about Dr Tyler and Wuzeeruddin on 22nd. Latter wishes pension after more than 30 year’s service.’ 15
In May she wrote again to the Viceroy. She had clearly had an update from Karim about what had transpired between his father and Colvin at the railway station. She now explained to the Viceroy that Wuzeeruddin had no time to speak to Colvin except a few minutes at the station and he would not have asked for anything, as he has a much easier place than before, ‘but he is getting old, and wd. gladly retire on a pension, to which he is fully entitled for his long and good services, and the Queen wd be glad if he cd. have a little more than the actual ordinary pension on account of his son’s confidential position about the Empress and his (Abdul Karim’s) very exemplary conduct’. 16
The Queen was eager to help Karim in what she thought was a very reasonable request for his father’s pension. She realised how much she had missed him over the four months that he was away and how happy she was to have him back at her side. Having returned from the Continent, Karim seemed to be picking up some French as well. She wrote to Ponsonby:
As for Abdul Karim, the Queen can never praise him enough. He is zealous, attentive and quiet and gentle, has such intelligence and good sense, and (as all the Indians are) entirely intent on his duty and always ready to obey the slightest word or hint given. He will soon be able to copy a good deal for the Queen – even in French – and is an
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