Today was the last day at SPRI and at about four o'clock having finished the last diary I decided to pack up and go back to the hotel. Told the archivist and she said "What about this last field book on your list"
"No" replied " the dates are too early"
"You know you don't want to get home and realise its important"
"Ok then"
When I opened it several mysteries were solved. I had been wonder why one of Campbell's field survey note books listed the angles to mountains and glaciers by names that at the time he didn't know as they had not got to them and were yet to be name them. Also an elaborate sketch I have, that is known to have been made on the 19 January when he and Priestly climbed some hills. It would have taken a significant time but Priestley doesn't mention it.
All was solved, this last note book was in pencil with none of 'future' names used and the sketch, and many others, just a very rough outline that could have been done in couple of minutes. Then, at some time latter, these were copied to second field notebook, written and drawn in ink, edited, and updated. This last book answered a lot of questions.
Now I am back at the hotel waiting for my coffee to cool and my camera battery to charge so I can finish backing up my final day's notes. Then pack up and tomorrow catch the bus to Heathrow and fly out to Hong Kong and hope to thaw out.
Wow. Congratulations on your find. (And a big thank you is due to the archivist!)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your homeward journey - and the thaw out break in Hong Kong.