The Botnanee of Modern Sieges. By Edward Gilliat. (Seeley and
Co. 5s.)—The first siege is that of Gibraltar (1779-82), the
last Port Arthur (1904). There is no need to draw comparisons between these two, but it is significant that both are outposts of Empire. Mr. Gilliat narrates incidents in the sieges, and not, of course, the actual history of each investment. Nevertheless, we
got a very fair notion of the proceedings outside the walls as well as in. The most interesting chapters are those relating to the
Peninsular sieges,—that of San Sebastian, as related by Colonel Harvey Jones, a prisoner, gives us a graphic outline of the best and worst of humanity a hundred years ago, and incidentally affords striking glimpses of French military life. The siege of New Orleans in the Secession War is interesting for a similar reason, as affording us evidence of the embittered temper of tho non-combatants. Modern history presents us with no other spectacle of civil war on such a scale as that of the North and South. Mr. Gilliat writes with considerable descriptive ability, and has selected his incidents with judgment. It is a most readable book, and a fine testimony to the gradual progress of humanity ; and for that reason wo would heartily recommend it to all embryo soldiers and boys who love the stirring scenes of history.
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