The Seafarers. By Major A. Corbett-Smith. (Methuen. - 8s. 6d.
net.)—" If there is one kind of yarn more than another that your healthy Briton enjoys, it is a story of a good sporting fight against odds," says Major Corbett-Smith in the last volume of his War Trilogy ; and the taste of the healthy Briton is abundantly provided for in this vigorous account of the "silent" Force during the years of its great opportunity and its great achievement. Major Corbett-Smith insists much upon the friendship and mutual admiration existing between the sister- Services, and has himself shown a fine example of it in his chival- rous devotion to the cause at naval propaganda. The Seafarers, founded on a "recital" given by the author in practically every district. of the United Kingdom, offers no sensational dis closures, but furnishes a simple, stirring narrative of feats which are regarded, at least by their performers, as "all in the day's work." Throughout the book the term " British Navy " is used to cover, as it rightly should, both the Royal Navy and the Merchant Service. Its unbroken tradition and change- less spirit are emphasized again and again by historical analogies such as that between the merchant ship Elizabeth,' which three hundred year ago flouted the three Algerine pirates, and the merchant ship Avocet,' which four years ago put up her magnifi- cent fight against the three Hun aeroplanes. The readers of Major Corbett-Smith's volume will not be among those who
• during a march-past of bluejackets at the Peace celebrations • will' "flutter handkerchiefs - . . with the remark: H'm,smart lads they always look. Pity They never had a chance to show what they could do ! ' "
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