The annual monsoon season blew over southwest Ceylon with tenacity. Although Colombo experienced periods of scorching sun every day, when steam would rise from the ground, the moisture simply accumulated into dense cloud, ultimately causing heavy storms most of the time. The streets developed a thick, oozy layer of mud which grabbed James’ boots as if some mysterious being wanted to pull him into the ground. Each successful step resulted in a squelching sound before the next boot would submerge up to his ankle. Parasols, more suited to the sunshine, remained rolled up in vestibules, and most Europeans strove to remain indoors. Days became weeks, and the thought of enjoying dry weather again became as fleeting as the brief periods of sun.
The rains stopped by mid December, in time to dry up the landscape for Christmas, which cast a cheery atmosphere over the Veevers’ first holiday season abroad. Harrison returned from Ambepussa for a longer stay with the family; this delighted Agnes as she wanted to mark their second anniversary together. With James spending most of his time in Colombo, Harrison continued his fieldwork with no worry about his family’s safety. James stepped into his role as storekeeper, with the Ceylon Government Railway, proving his value to them with his keen mind for detail. His work kept him in Colombo most days, but he journeyed occasionally to Ambepussa to oversee the delivery of supplies. Harrison undertook the survey work for the segment of the line running east from Ambepussa towards Kandy. Beyond the community, the jungle densely surrounded them, but they could rely on the road, which had been carved through the wilderness decades earlier, to transport them to their work site. The tropical environment fought against the human encroachment with all manner of discomforts. When they constructed this part of the road outside Ambepussa, in the 1820s, they experienced the greatest mortality rate and highest rate of severe illness compared to any other stretch of road. Apart from the treacherous wildlife, including insects and venomous snakes, the workers often dealt with tropical fevers, disease and slimy leeches looking for fresh blood. For this reason, the rail project team sent workers from and to Colombo each day, covering thirty-seven miles each way. (1) As Harrison’s survey team pressed into the jungle, they preferred to stay at the rest house rather than spend the time traveling back and forth with the workers. The eastern section of the rail line climbed 1200 feet, passing from the tropical jungle to hillside plains, where the vast coffee plantations benefitted from the cooler climate, then crossing over rocky terrain for most of the route to the ancient city of Kandy, sitting at an elevation of 1600 feet. Of the twelve tunnels eventually built on this line, eleven fell beyond Ambepussa.(2) The job of choosing the best path through these varied obstacles fell to the surveyors.
January brought the dry season, and the pleasant climate buoyed the spirits of the new residents. The bi-weekly ships from England caused a little stir of excitement as the current newspapers and mail brought news from home. Shipments critical for the Ceylon Government Railway came with each arrival, and James needed to accept them at the dock. The port dispatched messengers to alert James when they spotted the ship from Aden and advise him to transfer the shipments. James used bullock carts to move the goods to the railway storehouse, and the process took most of the afternoon. James hoped he could secure the goods before the Post Office closed for the day. Perhaps they may have sorted some letters; at the very least, he could collect the latest editions of the English papers. Harrison should be in from the jungle when he returned home.
James had written to his family about his first impressions and eagerly waited for their responses. He expected a variety of reactions from his siblings. Richard, the pragmatist, would likely have studied the government blue book publications detailing the economic and demographic information, but given his armchair travel obsession, he’d likely picked up a traveller’s guide for India and Ceylon. Sarah, on the other hand, would want more information about finding a community with shared spiritual values, and might press James for details about his adherence to the teachings of the Old Friends’ Society. His father, Richard Senior, would heed his eldest son’s view of the colony regarding the economy and level of progress. He would seek confirmation that James had maintained stable employment, and offer suggestions on how he might seize opportunities as the colony expanded. His father, a businessman and gentleman, tried his hand at many risky ventures over his career, and encouraged his sons to take risks. Most of all, James longed to hear from Emma. She knew his inner self better than any other family member, and would validate his sense of wonder at the world he now inhabited. For her, James would always be her little brother, no matter how successful a man he became.
James strode into the comfortable bungalow where he lived with Harrison and Agnes, still impressed by how his sister-in-law had created a sanctuary with the few items brought from England, then enhanced by the purchases from the local shops, in particular, Cargills. The house servant, dressed in spotless white linens, whispered across the polished tile floor with a freshly pressed towel and a saucer of water with flower petals on its surface. James dipped his finger and towelled the beads of sweat from his brow. The man bowed and retreated. “Sahib.”
James collected the newspapers, fingered the few letters to gather them into a bundle, and tapped them to form a package to bring into the drawing room. Agnes sat by the window, taking advantage of the light for her needlework. “Ah, James. Your brother just left to walk in the garden. Would you care for something to drink?”
“Perhaps on the verandah. I collected some letters from today’s delivery. There may be others, but the post office had yet to sort all the bags. There’s one for you.” He handed her the envelope. Waving the others in the air. “Two for Harrison and one for me. I’ll go to meet him.”
Agnes tinkled a small bell. “I’ll arrange for the drinks to be brought out.”
James stepped out on the porch and once he had his brother’s eye, he flashed the letters. Harrison raised his arm and strode back towards the house. Once his brother stepped up on the porch, James handed him his mail. “Looks like father’s hand. Mine comes from Emma. We should get a good balance of news, considering their varied style.”
Agnes appeared with the letter opener, followed by the houseboy carrying a tray with beverages. Harrison pried the seal and handed the opener to James. As he unfolded the note, ready to defend any comments his father might have made, a slip of newsprint fell on his lap. James tore the edge of the envelope, longing to hear Emma’s reaction to his latest description of their adventure in Ceylon. But the news contained on the pages from home shared none of that detail. All the correspondence for both James and Harrison dealt with the devastating news about Henry.
Agnes, witnessing their severe expressions, spoke first. “Harrison, what news draws such despair?”
James starred at the single page resting in his lap, then glanced at his brother. Harrison picked up the clipping and scanned the text. “It’s my brother, Henry. When his ship docked in Poplar last December, the Captain sent word to Mary in Preston; he did not survive the voyage. Father wrote, Henry succumbed to phthisis soon after leaving Australia in October. The voyage took two and a half months and they could not send word before they arrived in England.” (3)
“Emma mentions father will stay with Henry’s wife, Mary. They can look after each other with the help of their faith. She concludes her letter asking us to remember them all in our prayers.” James faced the garden as God’s creations danced a waltz of life behind his blank stare. Why does He, the most merciful creator, steal from us the young and vibrant souls? Shouldn’t death belong to those who have lived fully?
Author’s Notes: Based on the timing of events, Harrison and James would not learn of their brother’s fate until several weeks after the family received word. Newspaper announcements in both Preston, Lancashire, England and Melbourne, Victoria, Australia reported the details and confirmed the time and cause of his death. Phthisis, is an old term for pulmonary tuberculosis.
(1) A Handbook for Travellers in India, Burma and Ceylon; 8th edition, London, John Murray, Albemarle Street, page 476
(2) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/990103/plus12.html Description of the Railway line from Colombo to Kandy
(3) Details of Henry’s death come from the Preston Newspaper; the inscription on a Veevers’ grave marker in Preston, and Registry of Shipping and Seamen: Registers of Births, deaths and marriages of Passengers at Sea 1854-1890; National Archives; BT-158-2 (Ref. 1125) Transcript: Veevers, Henry, male, 40 years old, born England, cause of death, Phthitis, date of death, 19-10-1863, ship Norfolk, docked at Poplar on 16-12-1863
Family Profiles 
Henry’s death I was expecting, but always a shock for the family. You document with ease the typical long waiting for letter’s with news from home. I can identify with that, but it will be an eye opener for today’s young families with their ‘instant’ news. I’m so enjoying your descriptions of the weather that my father would also have lived through in India and the Burma jungle, WW11. Thank you.