12. As His Excellency’s policeman does not accompany him to Aden, the A.D.C. in waiting must endeavour to learn a few Persian stories for the occasion, which he will repeat to His Excellency for one hour daily while pacing up and down the deck.
13. He will also, while listening to the Persian stories which His Excellency will relate to him, say “Hau” at intervals of one second during the whole time the narrative continues. He will also be kind enough to wear an expression of profound attention.
14. In rough weather the A.D.C. in waiting will be permitted to put on a waterproof coat over his uniform and to use his chin strap.
15. His services can on no occasion be dispensed with during the first five days of the voyage; he will therefore be expected to keep in good health, and can on no pretext be allowed to call for the services of the steward.
16. At Aden the A.D.C. in waiting will be relieved from duty.
(Signed) William Beresford, Lieut.-Col.,
Military Secretary to the Viceroy.
Simla, November 6th, 1888.
The A.D.C. in question, of course, knew Lord Bill’s little ways, how much was earnest and how much fun, and appreciated the thoughtful concession of allowing a chin strap and waterproof to be used during rough weather, for more reasons than one.
It was shortly before the Dufferins left India that Lord William and five other members of the Viceroy’s staff in one of their lighter moments when dressed in their racing kit, jumped into a merry-go-round for a ride and were snapshotted. Lord William is on the extreme right sitting sideways; next to him in front is Capt. Roddy Owen; standing up in the striped jacket is Capt. Burn, generally known as “Handsome Charlie”; then comes Capt. Harbord (now Lord Suffield) riding a finish; behind him Capt. Leonard Gordon and Capt. H. Legge. A light-hearted little party, overflowing with good humour and health, much of which was the result of the amount of exercise they were in the habit of taking. Sportsmen and those of an energetic tendency keep their health much longer when in India than their brethren who resign themselves to the climate with books, eating, drinking, and sleep, the latter being the natural consequence of the former.