SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Under this heading we notice such Books of the week as haw not been reserved for review in other forms.] In Pursuit of the Mad Mullah. By Captain Malcolm McNeill, D.S.O. (C. Arthur Pearson. Gs.)—The preface to this book is dated "Barao, Somaliland : Jan. 10, 1902." It would be interest- ing in any case ; it is particularly so when regarded in the light of recent events. One thing is quite plain, that the authorities at home were in too great a hurry to bring the fighting of last year to an end. After the battle of Frididdin in July, 1901, the Mad Mullah might have been put an end to altogether. He had lost pretty well everything, and was not a little discredited among his followers. But the British victory was not followed up. Peremptory orders came from home that the expedition was to return; and there was no alternative but to obey. Captain McNeill gives a very decided opinion that this policy, which, of course, had its attractions, was a mistake. He gives it, not, it must be observed, in consequence of recent disasters, but for reasons which approved themselves to him a year or more ago. There are some excellent descriptions of fighting and of sport, and there are some valuable appreciations of the Somali country and its people.
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