Chapter I: Preface

The objects I had in view when writing this book were to interest the public in the white lepers who are homeless in India, and to obtain money for the “Leper Fund” which I raised, and which is now being administered by the Very Reverend Archdeacon Michell of Calcutta. My publishers, Messrs. Thacker & Co., 87, Newgate Street, E.C., have kindly consented to forward to this gentleman any profit that may accrue from the sale of the book, which, on this account, I trust will be large. I venture to think that, apart from the good intent, all classes of readers will find this small work worthy of perusal, in that it is a series of true pictures of a very sad phase of human misery, namely, the inner life of sufferers whom I have known so well and have cared for so much, that I can in all sincerity call them “My Leper Friends.”

I hear, with deep regret, that, since my departure from India, subscriptions to the “Leper Fund” have decreased. As it is the means of brightening the lives of the most wretched of all human beings, I would appeal to the generosity of the public to support it by sending contributions to Archdeacon Michell, Calcutta, who personally superintends the distribution of the fund. I may mention that aid is given without any distinction as to creed.

My best thanks are due to Dr. G. G. MacLaren for his sympathy in my labours, and for his kindness in writing a chapter on leprosy for this book. I, also, am glad of this opportunity of expressing my great indebtedness to “Brother John,” who was my fellow-worker among the lepers and in the hospitals of Calcutta.

I shall be happy to answer inquiries on this subject. My address is, care of Messrs. W. Thacker & Co., 87, Newgate Street, London, E.C.

ALICE HAYES.

LONDON, _3rd September, 1891_.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER I.

Settling in Calcutta--Our “Sporting News” 1-4

CHAPTER II.

Brother John--Mr. McGuire--Government officials--The
leper asylum--An Irish woman--The Jewess--Daisy
and Bella--A death scene--Eurasian lepers 5-23

CHAPTER III.

The account I wrote--Bridget--An official visit to
the lepers 24-33

CHAPTER IV.

Newspaper criticism--“Truth” and Mr. Prinsep--“The
Queen” 34-38

CHAPTER V.

Efforts to comfort--Our subscription fund--Improvements 39-47

CHAPTER VI.

Miss O’Brien--Amateur actors--A performance in
aid of our fund 48-55

CHAPTER VII.

White lepers--Dr. MacLaren--Heat and misery 56-62

CHAPTER VIII.

Need for a home for European and Eurasian lepers--Our
public meeting 63-73

CHAPTER IX.

Hope--Kate Reilly 74-80

CHAPTER X.

Archdeacon Michell--Disposal of our fund--The
leper cat--The idiot boy 81-88

CHAPTER XI.

The nuns of Loretto Convent 89-94

CHAPTER XII.

Medicine--No warm baths--An ugly looking-glass--Christmas-day
in the Leper Asylum--The leper boy--Mr.
Bailey 95-111

CHAPTER XIII.

Lepers in Bombay--A lecture at the Sorosis Club--Our
departure from India 112-119

CHAPTER XIV.

Remarks on Leprosy, by Surgeon-major G. G. MacLaren,
M.D. 120-127

MY LEPER FRIENDS.