During my English provincial tours I have for many years, thanks to the kindness of H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief, been enabled to do duty with a number of different regular regiments, whose officers have done me, moreover, the honour of making me free of their mess. Sometimes, too, the Colonel of the regiment has been good enough to place his troops under my command. I have the pleasantest recollections of having, in the course of my various provincial tours, worked and dined with the officers of, I can scarcely say how many regiments. Here are some of the letters which, on my taking leave, I received from the commanding officers or adjutants of those corps:-- "Richmond Barracks, Dublin, "Dec. 14, 1869. "I certify that Lieutenant-Colonel Mapleson, 6th Tower Hamlets Rifles, has drilled regularly under my supervision from the 4th of September, 1869, until the 9th of October, 1869. During this period he went regularly through company drill, and for the last fortnight took command of the Battalion; he on joining being well up to his work and thoroughly acquainted with the theory of drill. On leaving I considered him well qualified to take command of a regiment in the field. He took the greatest interest in his work, and went in for mastering the minutiæ of drill with great perseverance. "C. J. BURNETT, "Captain and Adjutant 2/15 Regiment." * * * "Salford Barracks, Manchester, "May 6, 1870. "I hereby testify to the capabilities of Lieutenant-Colonel Mapleson in drill during the time I had command of the 100th Regiment at Manchester. He drilled the Battalion several times, and from the report of the Adjutant I have no hesitation in stating that few officers are superior to him in the knowledge of battalion manoeuvres. "H. COOKE, "Major Commanding 100th Regiment." * * * "Gallowgate Barracks, Glasgow, "May 26, 1870. "I certify that Colonel J. H. Mapleson, Honble. Artillery Company, was drilling with the 2nd Battalion 5th Fusiliers, then under my command, and that he showed considerable proficiency in company and battalion drill. "GEORGE CARDEN, "Major 2nd Battalion 5th Fusiliers." * * * "Junior United Service Club, "November 1, 1871. "I have much pleasure in testifying as to Colonel Mapleson's thorough knowledge of the 'Field Exercise Book,' etc., etc., and I feel convinced from what I saw of him whilst attached to my regiment that he could handle it under any circumstances. "J. CLOWES HINDS, "Major 40th Regiment." * * * "Beggars' Bush Barracks, Dublin, "January 13, 1871. "Lieutenant-Colonel Mapleson drilled with the 1st Battalion Scots Fusilier Guards during the autumn of 1870. He was thoroughly up in company and battalion drill, more especially the latter, and is perfectly able to drill the Battalion. "J. W. WALKER, "Captain and Adjutant "1st Battalion Scots Fusilier Guards." * * *