Life and Work in Benares and Kumaon, 1839-1877

A vivid memoir unfolds the long‑standing work of a London Missionary Society envoy who spent decades among the bustling streets of Benares and the remote hills of Kumaon. Through candid recollections he paints everyday life for both Europeans and locals, describing the climate, customs, and the challenges of spreading his faith in a land of staggering population. The narrative balances personal anecdotes with broader observations of Indian society, giving listeners a textured sense of the era’s social fabric.

Interwoven are accounts of arduous journeys across the North‑West, a two‑month stay on Ceylon’s shores, and the harrowing days of the 1857 Indian Mutiny that rattled Benares. The author also offers thoughtful commentary on the British administration, travel conditions, and the evolving nature of missionary work, concluding with statistics that illuminate the “great Indian problem.” Listeners will feel as if they are walking beside him, hearing conversations, witnessing trials, and sharing the quiet joys of a life devoted to a distant calling.