The naval situation in home waters remains unchanged. "Patience and
Vigilance, Patience and Vigilance, Patience and Vigilance," must still be the motto of the Navy, and nobly it is acting up to it. Though the sailors' physical sufferings are, of course, at the moment nothing comparable to those experienced by the men in the trenches, they are severe enough, and the actual strain upon those who have to give the orders and make the plans is even greater than that upon the military authorities. Those responsible for the supreme naval commands are always under the temptation to break away and do something dashing—to fling prudence and patience to the winds. Yet, as Mr. Churchill pointed out in his speech at the Guildhall, what they have to do is to remember the long-drawn, heart-breaking blockades of Corn- wallis and Nelson. There was plenty of dash in our old seamen, but none knew better how to "stick it out" in dour silence.
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