No wonder the Generals were careworn, and it was a relief to meet Lord Stanley,[37] A.D.C.to Lord Roberts, with a smiling face, who, with his unfailing spirits, must have been an invaluable companion to his chief during those trying weeks.

One specially sad feature was the enormous number of sick in addition to wounded soldiers.
Of the former, at that time, there were over 1,500, and the recollection of the large numbers buried at Bloemfontein was still green in everyone's memory.

The origin of all the sickness, principally enteric, was undoubtedly due to the Paardeberg water in the first instance, and then to that used at Bloemfontein; for Pretoria was perfectly healthy--the climate cool, if rainy, and the water-supply everything that could be desired.

As additional accommodation for these patients, the magnificent and recently finished Law Courts had been arranged to hold seven or eight hundred beds.

Superintended by Sir William Thompson, this improvised establishment was attended to by the personnel of the Irish hospital, and Mr.Guinness was there himself, organizing their work and doing excellent service.
One evening we were most hospitably entertained to dinner by Lord Stanley, Captain Fortescue, the Duke of Westminster, and Winston.