SIR JOHN HEWETT.
[TO THE EDITOR 07 THE "SPECTATOIt."]
Sin,--Together, I feel sure, with all who have served with him, I cannot but feel disgusted with the savage attack recently made in the House on Sir John Hewett, late Lieut.- Governor of the United Provinces, India. He is accused of having made a mistake. This has yet to be proved against him. But, for the sake of argument, admit this to be established, and think of the distinguished and successful service rendered by this most able official during a long number of years. When one considers the enormous number of important questions that must come before a Governor during his tenure of office, he would not be human did be not occasionally, in the press of business, make a mistake. Sir John Hewett's record in India is remarkable. His ability and strong common sense were recognized early in the day. Later he filled, one after the other, with con- spicuous success, the most important offices in the service, including the delicate one of private secretary to the Viceroy, for which he was selected when a comparatively junior officer. At the close of his service he was chosen for the extremely difficult post of President of the Committee of Management of the recent Royal Durbar at Delhi, and it was generally acknowledged that no better selection could have been made. For his able management in this most com- plicated business he received the advancement in the Order of the Star of India, which had already been fairly earned during his Governorship. This promotion, which has been called in question, has been considered by most of those who have served with Sir John Hewett, and whose opinion he
would most value, to be but a poor recompense when viewed by the side of the rewards so generously bestowed on most of those connected with the Royal visit.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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