James Adam diary: 1857-1863 (Ms. Codex 1948) (Travel Diaries and Journals)

James Adam diary: 1857-1863 (Ms. Codex 1948)

Diary comprising two volumes spanning the years from 1857 to 1863 written by James Adam. Volume 1 contains Adam's descriptions his journey from Scotland to India as a medical officer. On August 15, 1857 Adam departed from London on a steamer ship the Candia. He wrote of his sea voyage including officers he traveled with, the weather, landscapes, missing his family, sea sickness, and miles traveled. He arrived at Kalkota on November 5, 1857. Adam worked at a hospital and witnessed a portion of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. In February 1858 Adam was deployed to the ship Belgravia to take charge of the wounded and sick at the South African Cape. He traveled with his servant Harold. Once anchored at Table Bay Adam described the native people, seeing Dr. Livingstone. Adam noted he had a muster of forty natives whom he reluctantly treated for skin diseases. There is a copy of a letter to his parents and pencil drawings of the Cape of Good Hope. On the journey back to Calcutta there was an incident with the captain regarding ailing horses. In June 1858 Adam mentioned seeing cholera cases, reading Waston and works on homeopathy. Adam also worked off of the H.M.S. Proserpine. In March 1859 Adam began his voyage back to England on the Ivanhoe he mentioned playing chess and catching fish. Reading volume 1 from back to front are poems and songs. One of the poems was "written on board the Candia". Tables of daily latitude and longitude for the voyages to India and England are in the volume. Some accounting of receipts and expenditures is in the volume. Adam arrived back in Edinburgh on August 5, 1859. Volume 2 commences in 1861. In sporadic entries Adam described his arrival and work at Bethnal House Asylum with Dr. Ritchie. and Dr. Miller. In August 1863 Adam wrote of his trip to Scotland and attending a wedding in Portobello. He mentioned seeing family members in Edinburgh. Reading volume 2 from back to front is a clipping of an epitaph for Lord Clyde pasted over writing in pencil. Adam wrote an autopsy of a young woman named Ann Jones aged 23. A majority of volume 2 is blank. Inscribed on the first leaf of volume 1: J. F. Adam journal, commenced August 13, 1857 on leaving home for the first time to sail for India. Inscribed on the last leaf of volume 1: James F. Adam, Surgeon, H.M.S. Proserpine. Volume 2 is inscribed: Private, Jame Adam M.D., January 20, 1861. https://franklin.library.upenn.edu/catalog/FRANKLIN_9977359130603681

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p. 86

We came to anchor at 2 o clock. We were near going on shore & the anchor parted by the strain. We however got the other anchor down & all put to right. Gen Salter immediately went on shore Lt Dadson & I went to go on board the "Adelaide". She (Black boatman 'bout ship) steamed off just as we got along. Dadson shouted out to inquire for his brother wounded in China. Next went on board the "Octavia" saw Dr. Taylor whom I had parted with in Calcutta 6 weeks before. he was rather as- tonished to find me down here. asked him to see Fred. when he went down to Edinburgh. Went on board & dined. In the evening Dadson & I called on the Brigade Major & Dr. Summers the P.M.O. at Cape Town & reported our arrival Could not get off at night to the ship slept

Last edit about 2 years ago by Dendendaloom

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p. 87

At Mrs Bate's Hotel

April 3rd 1858.

Got up at 6 oclock & I went on board & got all the men ready for disembarkation. had breakfast on board & (got scored through) having got all the soldiers in the boat. One man went over the side in a chair (Woodal) We went off the Sun was very hot. Nearly as hot as I have felt it in India, but it has not the same depressing influence. Took 9 men to Hospital, The rest went to the Artillery Barracks. Met the Genl. (General) Dr. Taylor & Capt Dale of the "Octavia" on shore. Went on board in the evening with the Captain.

April 4th 1858. Sunday.

Stayed on board all day. In the evening went to visit the Hospital having gone on shore with the Captain. Dr Summers anxious to detain me at the Cape & has

Last edit about 2 years ago by Dendendaloom

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p. 88

written to the PMO for that purpose did not wish me to attend at the hospital until positive orders arrive. It was blowing a South Easter when we went on shore so I could not get off to the ship that evening. Slept at Mrs Parkes Hotel.

April 4th 1858.

Capt came on shore to go the excursion to Constantia that Gen Salter had promised but the Genl. had taken ill during the night. [at scored through] Called me to see him. He was not able to go in the morning. The South Easter continued to blow with great violence throughout the day. The Captn went on board in the evening. it was blowing a stiff gale. Remained on shore & slept at Mrs. Parkes

April 5th 1858.

At Mrs Parkes all day & slept all night there.

Last edit about 2 years ago by Dendendaloom

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p. 89

April 6th. 1858 Capt came on shore this morning South Easter blown off went on board with him. Stayed on board all day

April 7th. 1858 Visited several parts of Cape Town with the Capt. the Governors House. Artillery & Cape rifle Barracks. Shops & houses quite English looking, to visit Constantia tomorrow.

April 8th. 1858. After breakfast this morning the Capt & I went on shore. Called on Genl. Salter & Lt. Dadson to go on our excursion to Constantia given by the Genl. a carriage & four was in waiting & off we rattled through the dusty streets of Cape Town handsomly dressed shop windows passed. We came upon houses in the suburbs such as we see in our own villages at home each little village here too I see has its lawn its group of squalling children its work shops, farriers etc. Now we

Last edit almost 2 years ago by Dendendaloom

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p. 90

come upon nice villas with a nice plot of green trees, the (oak especially in abundance), the houses looking beautifully clean & white the windows clean & bright now & then a face protruded to watch the carriage passing. Table Mountain with its flat table like surface, & looking from the town to the left the Devils Peaks forms the back ground of these houses. In some cases the vineyards extend a long way up the side of the hill especially when they may be well sheltered from the south east gales which often blow here with such severity bye & bye. the houses begin to be scarce, one or two here & there. We passed the Governors Country house with a very nice avenue leading up to it but a very poor entrance there being only a plain pillar on each side. about 4 miles from Cape Town [pu scored through] the road to

Last edit about 2 years ago by Dendendaloom

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