MEMORIES OF A SOLDIER'S LIFE.
Memories of a Soldier's Life. By Sir H. M. Bengough, K.C.B. (Edward Arnold. 8s. 6d. net.)—Sir Harcourt Bengougb is one of the few survivors of the Crimean Campaign left to-day, and we are glad to welcome the thoroughly pleasant and manly book in which be has jotted down some of his reminiscences. These deal mainly with incidents of sport and the lighter side of campaigning in India and elsewhere; be promises us another book which will relate the more purely military aspect of his distinguished career. He entered the Army in 1854 under the old purchase system—an Ensign's commission cost £450, a Lieutenant's A:700, a Captain's £1,100—and tells us that it worked well in practice in those days. A promoted ranker seldom makes a good officer—though there are brilliant exceptions—" he generally knows too much, and the men know it !" In those days, too, it was no very unusual experience to see three or four men, tied up to the triangles, receive fifty lashes apiece before breakfast—" and yet this degrading punishment did sins prevent crime." These instances show how completely Army life has changed since General Bengongh entered it.
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