Fire Degrees South. By Francis Brett Young. (Seeker. 1s.)— These
charming little poems were written, the author tells us, on active service in German East Africa ; but the tropical bush and swamp are seldom mentioned, and only two pieces—" After Action " and the powerful and impressive lines On a Subaltern Killed in Action "—refer to actual fighting. The dominant theme is the acute homeaicknoss of the wanderer under alien akiee, who yearns Mr, and appreciate:, more truly than ever, the beauties of England, endeared .to him, too, by " the fadeless crown Of sacrifice thy happy dead have wove thee." Mr. Young anticipates in a sonnet the reader's " wonder that such quiet themes engaged A soldier's mind when noisy wars were waged." But the most stirring martial poetry—except perhaps the " Marseillaiso --has been written by civilians.
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