17 JUNE 1916, Page 20

A French Mother in War Time. By Mme. Edouard Drumont.

(Edward Arnold. Ss. 6d. not.)—Mme. Drumont'i Journal describing the experiences of herself and her husband (the well-known editor of Libre Parole)during the first year of the war gives an interesting insight into the feelings and doings of our French Allies. M. and Mine. Drumont were obliged to leave their home at Lea Sablons in August, 1914, and join in the great flight from Paris and its neighbourhood, and there is an eloquent description of the sad journey and the confusion that reigned all along the countryside. To see ourselves In the mirror of a neigh- bour's mind has always a fascination, and therefore English readers will find specially attractive those passages in which we get glimpses of how we as a nation are regarded by our French Allies. In September, 1914,

Drumont says of our English soldier.: "They have not, perhaps, got our spirit and dash, but they have an iron will, and when they have been told to hold such and such a point, would let themselves be killed to a man rather than abandon it." Later she writes t " England is helping us. We must acknowledge the splendid spirit of her Army —its coolness and endurance " ; and eho quotes the remark of a French soldier that our men "are charming companions, not very effusive, but always to be relied on."