C URRENT LITERAT 13 RE.
THE STRAND MAGAZINE.
The most interesting article in the June number of the Strand Magarine is Dr. Conan Doyle's account of the rifle club which he has founded on Hindhead. The article is in the form of an interview conducted by Captain Philip Trevor, in which Dr. Conan Doyle describes his aims and successes in founding what he calls "a British commando." It is perhaps doubtful whether this is a judicious name, EIS Dr. Conan Doyle holds the view always advocated in these columns, that in case of an emergency a rifle club " would no longer exist as a military unit." "The spirit of the men," in Dr. Doyle's words, "if invasion were threatened, would carry them at once into the ranks of thu Regulars, the Militia, and the Volunteers, which, instead of raw recruits, would be gaining trained riflemen." Dr. Doyle gives an estimate of from £30 to £40 as the preliminary expense of founding a rifle club. This, of course, is exclusive of the expense of hiring ground for a range, but includes the targets, mantlets to protect the markers (which two items are estimated at about £15), and three rifles at about E5 each. Dr. Doyle says that the targets and mantlets can be made by the village carpenter. The actual materials for these items would not come to more, at an outside price, than three to four pounds. If therefore the club numbers one or two handy men who would be willing to give their time for the good of the club and to make these targets and the mantlets, the cost of a Morria.tube range will be most materially reduced. As to the "up-keep" cost of a club Dr. Doyle is silent, as the men are always willing to buy their own ammunition. TL e expenses, granted that
the ground is provided, when once a club is started are merely nominal. Hence when once founded, the "little clubs all over the country," which we all hope to see, will not be likely to fail from a falling-off in subscriptions. They will have almost no working expenses.
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