boiled Spanish onions before he went to rest； and it was Wright’s business to see that those onions were there。 One unlucky night； however； after a particularly exhausting meeting they arrived at the hotel； where all the attendants had gone to bed； to find two very massive onions reposing on the plate as usual； but just as they had left； not the saucepan； but their mother earth！
Of the row that ensued the captain spoke to me in the hushed voice of awe。31
30 General Booth said to me — more than once： “Ah！ but you would look grand in my uniform。” Whereto I would reply quite truly that I was not fit to wear that wedding garment； or words to that effect。 — H。 R。 H。
The old General wrote as follows about my book； “Regeneration。” The letter is a very good specimen of his fine； bold handwriting； although at that time his sight was already feeble。
International Headquarters；
London； E。C。： December 10； 1910。
My dear Rider Haggard； — I have just read “Regeneration。” It is admirable。 You have not only seen into the character and purpose of the work we are trying to do； with the insight of a true genius； but with the sympathy of a big and generous soul。 From my heart I thank you。
May the blessing of the living God rest upon you； and on Mrs。 Haggard and on your daughters； both for this life and the life to e。
Believe me；
Yours very sincerely；
William Booth。
Rider Haggard； Esq。； J。P。
On May 20； 1912； the General wrote to me； saying that he was to undergo at once an operation for cataract on his remaining eye； one being already blind。
The signature to this touching letter； written just before his last illness； for death followed on the heels of that operation； is somewhat irregular； for then