HE WAS AT THE SIEGE OF LUCKNOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9028, 5 November 1892, Page 3

HE WAS AT THE SIEGE OF LUCKNOW.

" Tub British Infantry are the best in the world, sire, but, luckily, few in number." So said a French marshal in reply to a question by Napoleon. Few in number may be, but enough to keep the English drumbeat following the sun around the world. Here is a short story from an old soldier; a little about the Indian Mutiny, more about another mutiny. He says:—" In 1854 I enlisted in the sth Regiment Fusiliers, and that year went out to Ohma. Three years later, 1857, 1 went to Bengal, India. I was present at the siege of Lucknow, under General Havelock, and was wounded there. I was then sent to Cawnpore, during the fearful massacre at that place. Wo were exposed to damp, our clothes being, wet for days together. Here it was that I first began to feel the bad effects of the climate. In 1875 I returned to my native village and. settled down. Two years afterwards I began to feel languid and tired. 1 lost all spirit and energy Everything was a trouble to me, and I became weak and low. At first I had a bad taste in the mouth, no appetite for food, and what I ate gave me pain in the chest and back. I also had a dull heavy pain and weight at my right side and in the hips and legs, and a sense of tightness or constriction, as if I was held or bound. ~ After a time my arms puffed up, and the sinews and muscles of the calves of my legs corded with pain. I could not sleep at night, and for weeks and weeks I got little or no rest. I would doze for a short time and then wake with pain. Things went on like this month after month. I got weaker and weaker, and had to give up work and engage a man to look" after my small business. I took medicines of various kinds, but obtained little or no relief. I then saw the club doctor, who gave me medicines and applications, but I found no ease from anything except for a little while. After being under this doctor off and on for four years I gave up going to him and went to see a doctor at Bungay, and was under his treatment for three months. He gave me medicines and embrocations, and I was rubbed ' before the fire for hours together by my wife, but nothing eased me. " The doctor ran up a bill of some five pounds, but at the end of three months I was worse than ever, and so weak that I had not strength even to go and see the doctor. Then I gave up doctoring in despair, for I had lost all faith in physic, and said to my wife, 'It is no use doctoring any mora ; nothing can be done for me. I will let things take their chance.' " Now better, now worse, I continued in this state until March, 1890. when a small book was left at my house, telling of a medicine called Mother Seigel's Syrup, and I read of a case like mine having been cured by it. So I procured a bottle from Mr. Edgerley's stores and began taking it. In three weeks I felt better ; my pains left me, my appetite returned, my food agreed with me, and I gradually gained strength. By the time I had taken a third bottle I was a well man, and never felt better in my life. From that day to this I have never ailed anything, and can do a day's work with any man. If I feel any sluggishness of the liver, I take a few doses of the Syrup and know nothing of pain. "After my recovery many of my neighbours asked what had wrought the cure, and I told them Seigel's Syrup had cured me after all the doctors and medicines had failed. I owe my life to the timely use of it. You are at liberty to publish this statement if you think it may benefit others. I will answer inquiries, and 1 make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory Declaration Act, 1835 (William IV., c. 62). " Declared at Bungay, in the County of Suffolk, this 10th day of July, 1891. (Signed) " Samuel Baxkiiam. " Before me, (Signed) " Herbert J. Hartcup, " A Commissioner to administer Oaths in the Supreme Court of Judicature in England." Mr, | Banham's complaint was" severe and chronic liver disease, caused by indigestion and dyspepsia, contracted during his long and arduous military service in India. He is a man of excellent character, and is at present employed as gardener. He mentioned in conversation that after his recovery he met a lady who is housekeeper at a gentleman's residence, who said to him, " Why, Banham, what has worked so marvellous an improvement in you?" He told her, and as sne suffered from rheumatism and weakness, she took Seigel's Syrup, and found wonderful benefit.