"MOTHER ! MOTHER I"
[To THE EDITOR OP TUB " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—When in the service of the Government of Sierra Leone in 1874 I had in my employ George Leigh, who had, a short time previously, been servant to one of the principal medical officers (Dr. Hume, I think) in the Ashanti campaign, which had not long before been successfully concluded under Sir Garnet Wolseley. When Leigh related to me his experiences as an Army doctor's servant I was struck by his statement that, in their last hours, the unmarried young officers generally' spoke of their mothers. The names of two of the officers re- main in my remembrance. One was Eyre, a military man; the other was Leyborne Mundy, a midshipman, and the only son of the late Sir Robert Mundy, K.C.M.G. of Hollybank, Emaworth, Hants.
Having taken down Leigh's statement in writing, I subse- quently sent it to the widow of Dr. Hume on learning of the latter's death. Whether the statement is still in existence or not I am unable to say. If it can be recovered it will bear out my present communication.—I am, Sir, &c., N. D. D. Royal Colonial Institute, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C.
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