It had all along seemed to
me that these latter deserved some substantial recognition and
compensation beyond what they could expect from the Government, for
damage done to their homes and their shops, and for the utter stagnation
of the trade in the town during the siege. The nurses, the nuns and
their convent, were also worthy objects for charity. This latter
residence, but lately built, and including a nicely decorated chapel
with many sacred images, had been, as I have said, practically
destroyed; and the Sisters had borne their part most nobly, in nursing
the sick and wounded, while many were suffering in health from the
privations they had undergone. In response to my appeal, Lady Georgiana
inserted the following letter in the _Times_ just before the news of the
Relief reached England:
"20, CURZON STREET, W.,
"_May 11._
"SIR,
"I venture to address an appeal to the people of the United
Kingdom, through the columns of your paper, on behalf of the
inhabitants of Mafeking. Nothing but absolute knowledge of
their sufferings prompts me to thus inaugurate another fund,
and one which must come in addition to the numerous
subscriptions already started in connection with the South
African War. I admit the generous philanthropy of our country
has been evinced to a degree that is almost inconceivable, and
I hesitate even now in making this fresh appeal, but can only
plead as an excuse the heartrending accounts of the sufferings
of Mafeking that I have received from my sister, Lady Sarah
Wilson.
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