Sir, - As the centenary of the Famine in Ireland has been extensively commented upon over the past few months, it may be of interest to your readers, as it was to me, to add the following piece of information. The photocopy of a report published in 1849 by the British Association for the Relief of the Extreme Distress in Ireland and Scotland was sent to my friend and colleague, Dr I. M. Gaya, courtesy of the secretary of the Journal of the Irish Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons.
That report gives a full list of contributions. Amongst the subscribers, Mauritius headed the list in terms of largesse - over £3,000, surpassing even Queen Victoria's and Prince Albert's put together. That would have bought a lot of spuds!
One could hardly predict, at the time, that such generosity would have borne fruition much later. Several generations of Mauritians owe a great debt to Ireland for its rich educational and moral heritage, both at secondary and tertiary level. - Yours, etc.,
Rue Dr Mayer,
Floreal,
Mauritius.