Constantly under medical supervision; and, in consultation with Sir Andrew Clarke, was advised to have recourse to the German Baths. He has not yet received the benefit anticipated by these means; and, until his health has been improved by longer residence and further treatment in Europe, it would not be prudent for him to return to duty in a tropical climate.
In support of my present application, I beg to submit the following remarks for your consideration:
(1.) I have been for 32 years in the Colonial Service; that is, for five years (1857-59), Secretary of Government in the Ionian Isles while under the British Protectorate; and for 27 years, as Governor successively of Queensland, New Zealand, Straits Settlements, and Hongkong.
(2.) During the first sixteen (16) years of my service as Governor, I never applied for leave of absence from my Government.
(3) In my despatch of the 24th June 1885, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies (the Earl of Derby), I observed that, in the critical state of affairs which prevailed in China and the neighboring Colonies at the beginning of that year, owing to the Franco-Chinese hostilities and to the threatened war with Russia, I had felt it to be my duty not to avail myself of the leave to visit England granted to me by his Lordship on medical certificate, but rather to remain at my post at whatever risk of health, and at whatever sacrifice of personal convenience. I added that I was much gratified by Lord Derby's despatch of the 13th April ult., in which he wrote as follows: "I need hardly say that I highly appreciate the public spirit which has led you to this decision."
(4.) I did not ask permission to avail myself of the leave of absence already granted, until after the conclusion of peace between France and China, and the restoration of tranquillity throughout that quarter of the world. And I wish it to be clearly understood that