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6 Nov 57 John Port Louis, Mauritius Mother ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Port Louis, Mauritius

Nov^r 6^th 1857

My dear Mother

I have not been able to note down events exactly as they occurred during the last month, as I had rather a smart touch of fever about the middle of last month which, altho’ it only sent me to bed for

one day instead of letting me attend the last ball of the season still left me very muddleheaded for about ten days and I felt quite apathetic about everything. However I exerted myself and took a walk

or two and I now feel all right again, except that I am regularly cowed on the subject of the sun. I dread its power immensely and take every opportunity of keeping out of it.

We know nothing of our future movements as yet. Our right wing is, I believe, still at Bombay and there are rumours flying about that they expect to return here shortly, but I cannot vouch for the

truth of them. As far as getting pay and seeing service goes, I would sooner be in India, altho’ I think we should enjoy ourselves far more here, as there is a certain sort of society here, whereas in

India we should have no society whatsoever. I look forward however to the chance of my being appointed to the second battalion and then of course I should be able to get home, for I do not affect

the tropics much. However, as I am here, I may as well make the best of it and so shall get a horse and then, being able to get about, I shall not find the hospitality of the country people so

burdensome, as it hitherto has been. For going out to dinner entails a carriage and that cost £2 for the evening. So that if I were asked by myself, it would cost me that sum to go out. Rather salt that.

We find it very hot now altho’ we generally have a cool breeze blowing after 10 o’clock or so. Before that time, the heat is very oppressive and we are now getting well into the summer months. We

are looking forward with dread to the rainy season, as we shall then be in a continual steam for three months.

People here are very nervous about cholera as we are continually importing coolies from India and being rather close packed (and not very cleanly) on board ship, they are rather apt to breed cholera

on the passage down. But a quarantine station has been established and we are enlivened by accounts of how many die daily there. But it has not penetrated to the inhabitants as yet and I do not think

it will, altho’ from their carelessness in regard to drainage etc. they deserve to be decimated. However I hope for the sake of our men that nothing of the sort may happen.

I have been out to some capital dinners during the month. I fancy that I go out more than any other of our unmarried officers. Major Martin having brought out a carriage and having bought a horse

as soon as he arrived here manages to return more calls and as Mrs Martin is a very nice person, they get on very well.

My letter of introduction from Dr Merrion to Mr (late Dr) Sandwith of Kars * has been of great use to me. He is the Colonial Secretary. In fact, the prime Minister for the island, and has been very

civil and I have [been] introduced to many people by him.

Another thing that I like him so much for is that he has sense enough to ask me to his house only when he can get me a lift out & in (he lives 8 miles out in the country) so that my visits do not cost

me anything. I dined a few nights ago with Mr Ireland, * Captain Toller’s friend. He has a very nice house and everything very well appointed. He is a man of over fifty who has married a young

wife, but they seem very fond of one another so that it is all right. He is voted a very good fellow indeed by every body. What I admired so much in his house was that everything was so very good

and so plain – in such capital taste. I have written all this morning so I shall now leave off so as not to muddle myself too much.

We have had one or two vessels full of troops in from England, and that makes this place where everything is double the price of what it is at home still more expensive, as we have to entertain all

these people. No joke, I can assure you. My mess bills for the last month were over £20 and I go to very little expense in my living. Certainly not spending more in that way than I can help. My

only extravagance being in the way of guests. For that is the only way we have of showing attention to people who have been civil to us.

Our new general, General Breton, * arrived the day before yesterday. His opinion is that we shall go on to India very soon. He has brought all his staff with him – a most unfair thing for us, as we do

not get appointments in our regiment. However it is better for one reason and that is that it does not take any body away from duty and so throw the work harder on others.

Nov^r 13^th

I have not been able to write you a very long letter this month as I have a good deal to do just now. I have taken over the charge of the mess and have to attend to all the accounts which, sooth to say,

may be described as very complicated. Then, besides this, I have to lecture every day to the men on the old subject ‘musketry’ and having my company to attend to besides, leaves me very little

leisure time. Our general’s inspection too is coming off next week and we must be prepared to know everything about all our men – age, character, length of service, former occupation, size, and

every possible thing that can be asked about a man. It is carried to a ridiculous extent. So much so, that a father could scarcely answer the questions if they referred to his own son.

We have just heard of the fall of Delhi and the relief of Lucknow, which latter event rejoiced me most. So now it is a very great chance whether we go on or not. After making acquaintances here, I

must confess I should be rather sorry to leave but still, rupees are very nice in their way. If there is no chance of going to India, I should like very much to be appointed to our second Battalion and

then I should have a better chance of going to Sandhurst and studying to qualify myself for the staff. Perhaps my Father could manage to get me posted to the other battalion. It is a thing that only

requires asking for.

Nov^r 14^th

The mail is to go this afternoon. At least, the bag is to be closed at 3 o’clock today, altho’ there is no steamer to take the letters, nor can there be any chance of their leaving for three or four days. My

time for writing is cut very short owing to the many calls I have on my time, what with everything that I have got in hand, and owing to the non-arrival of the mail, we are very dull and miserable. If I

could only get away when I liked, I should enjoy myself immensely here. I have invitations from all parts of the island. The people within a radius of ten miles ask us out for two or three days. The

dwellers outside that circle beg us to come for two or three weeks and I would just as soon make it weeks for then we are pretty certain of fine weather for some part of the time. Whereas if I go out

to spend a day, it perhaps rains or else the sun may be overpoweringly hot and then there is no enjoyment and I come back dissatisfied instead of pleased.

This state of uncertainty is very provoking. Here we have been for three months, not knowing whether we go or stay and for a day or two before the appearance of the mail, I am always up to fever

heat, for a month is a long time to look out for letters and news from you all. It is not like the Crimea, where we had news twice a week from home. I know of nothing that would amuse you. I

cannot write, I am so fidgety. I shall therefore close this letter with best love to everybody. I hope that now, as my Father is released from his official duties and from great part of his family, that the

cares of this world do not press so heavily on him, and that all the work he has been going through lately has not soured his temper at all, altho’ I am sure the bother he has had lately must have been

very trying to him.

I must write to Arthur to give him a hint or two about India, and I will try and do so by the next mail. As for Mary, I suppose she is all right, lionising in some part of Europe. I wrote to her to ‘Poste

Restante’, Rome, by the last mail, which letter she ought to have received before this time. Alfred and Frankie are quite well and good boys, I hope, and I suppose are growing fast. And little Helen

too. I should like to hear her talk and see her trot about, but I suppose I must wait a few years for that sight.

And how are you – after all your sea-side experiences, and your trip through England. How I should have liked to have been with you. After all, there is no place like England, altho’ perhaps it is not

so much because it is England, but because it is home that I like it. I must again say goodbye and best love to you all and remain ever.

Your affectionate Son

J Wimburn Laurie

4^th K. O. Reg^t

14^th Nov^r 1857

* Sandwith of Kars – Humphry Sandwith (1822–1881) was an English army physician, known also as a writer and activist. He was in the Turkish fort in Kars during the Crimean War, and was captured by the Russians after it surrendered. In 1857 he was appointed Colonial Secretary in Mauritius

* Mr Ireland – probably George Ireland (1801-1879), of Ireland, Fraser & Co., who provided shipping, insurance and general agency services to the island. Coincidentally, he was first cousin to the Editor’s maternal grandmother.

* General Breton – Henry William Breton (1799-1889)