The Downfall of the Dervishes. By Ernest N. Bennett, M.A.
(Methuen and Co. 3s. 6d.)—Mr. Bennett went out, fresh from lectur- ing and examining, to act as war correspondent for the Westminster Gazette. Part of this volume has, therefore, already been before the public ; but much is new. It is very readable, almost any- thing would be that just now, but Mr. Bennett would probably make himself heard in any case. We hear about the waning power of the French in Cairo, about magic, about servants, about the hardships and delights of travel, about companions, some of whom never came back, and, of course, about the war. Here we find some things that are not altogether pleasant. Some of the Sondanese troops deserted (though there were many more desertions from the Khalifa's army). Chap. 3 is given to the " Week Before the Battle," and chap. 4 to the " Battle of Omdur- man" itself. Among the narrow escapes was the passing of a bullet through an ammunition-waggon, " cutting eight cartridges in half between the lead and the cordite without exploding a single one.'
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