6 JANUARY 1894, Page 21

[To TIM EDITOR OP THE " SPECTAT0141

SIR,—An interesting memorial of Major Percy's Mission is preserved at Alnwick Castle. A lady at the Brussels ball gave to Major Percy an embroidered velvet pocket-handker- chief case. He put it in the breast of his coat, and was called to the battle without having an opportunity of changing his clothes. When he was called to the Duke after the battle to receive the despatches, there was no despatch-case at hand into which to put them. Major Percy then produced the velvet case, the despatches were securely fastened into it, and so carried to England. The late Duchess of Northumberland showed me the case and related the circumstances to me a