General Wauchope. By William Baird. (Oliphant, Anderson, and Ferrier. 2s.
6.34—Andrew Gilbert Wanchope was born in 1846; after some schooling, not very prolonged or efficient—Hr. Baird compares two incomparable things when he says that natural shrewdness is "a much better gift than education," apparently not knowing what education means—he became a naval cadet. When he had completed his sixteenth year (short of two days) he left the Navy, and three years afterwards obtained an ensign's commission in the Black Watch, probably as fortunate a beginning of his career as he could have had. His first service was in 1873, when he served in the Ashantee War, and was put in command of a body of Haussas. He was one of the first to find out the military qualities of the race. His next station was Cyprus ; from Cyprus he went to South Africa, where, however; he saw no service. Then came the Egyptian Campaign, and the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, when he greatly distinguished himself, being among the first to enter the enemy's trenches. He took his part, too, in the Nile Expedition. This was not, we may guess, unconnected with the next incident of his life, his candidature for Midlothian in opposition to Mr. Gladstone. It was a curious experience, for in politics he was scarcely a-, home, but he would not be beaten. The result was that he reduced 4,631, the majority of 1825, to 690. Some more soldiering followed, this time in the Soudan; then a spell of life at home ; and then the campaign in South Africa, ending for this gallant and capable soldier in the disastrous day of Magers- fontein. Of these things it is too early to write. This will be found a highly interesting book.
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