“Ah, truly! then I leave it to you, Soyer; but the sooner you go the better.” “Your lordship may depend upon my anxiety and promptitude; not a day, or even a minute shall be lost.” “Fare you well, Soyer; come and see me before your departure.” “Of course I will; but, begging your pardon, to whom shall I address myself for any further information I may require?” “To myself, and no one else,” was Lord Panmure’s reply. “I should be sorry to interrupt you in the incessant business you have from morning till night.” “My secretary, Mr. Ramsay, will always be here; but do not hesitate, if you require it, to see me.” “I certainly will not.” After a few words with Mr. Ramsay upon the subject of my interview, and what was decided upon, I immediately went to inform the Duchess of Sutherland of the result of my visit, at which her Grace expressed her gratification, and requested me to call again prior to my departure for the East, stating that she would give me some important letters of introduction to persons at Scutari, which would be most useful to me. After promising to do this, I retired. My intention was then to pay a visit to the Duke of Cambridge, who at that time took great interest in the subject, he having lately visited the hospital at Scutari; and made important observations upon the system of cooking carried on there. As I was on my way to St. James’s Palace, I met his Highness, accompanied by the Honourable James Macdonald, leaving the house; and having paid my respects, he inquired if I was going to Scutari, to which I replied in the affirmative. In a few words I gave him the result of my interview with Lord Panmure, and also spoke of the warm interest the Duchess of Sutherland took in the subject. “Yes, I am aware of it,” said he. “I had the pleasure of seeing her Grace yesterday.” I then made a few inquiries respecting the state of the hospitals there, which his highness very kindly described to me. The Duke remarked--“Your friend Comte will be able to give you all the information you may require, as he was with me at Scutari, and saw all the kitchen department in detail.” “Many thanks, your highness; I shall do myself the pleasure of paying him an early visit.” Five minutes after I was with my friend Comte, the Duke of Cambridge’s _chef de cuisine_, who kindly initiated me into all the doings, both in the camp and in the hospitals on the Bosphorus. This information was of great service to me.[4]