OFFICERS' IMPEDIME NTA.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:1
Si,—May I be permitted to make a few observations on " Senex's " letter in the Spectator of October 26th in re officers' impedimenta? " Senex" appears to be under the impression that the pianos and kitchen ranges were trans- ported with the troops from England. Strange things are sent by kind but ignorant friends for the benefit of the troops in the field, but I can imagine the astonishment of the embarkation officer at Southampton, or in London, if any one proposed sending a piano or a kitchen range; it would, of course, at once be returned to the donor. Perhaps I may be able to throw some light on the origin of the order about unnecessary baggage. When certain of the Boer farms had unfortunately to be burnt, it would be no wonder if the officer detailed for the unpleasant work tried, when possible; to save the smali organs and pianos some of the best of them con- tained, and took them to camp with the Boer families.. The handy little cooking ranges also found are invaluable in a standing camp where fuel is so scarce as in most places in South Africa. 'When shifting from one standing camp to another it would to most men seem wrong to leave behind what would be so useful tothe men, and for which the Boer families had unquestionably been well paid. That, however, was not apparently General Kitchener's view of the matter. To imagine that any general or commanding officer would allow such impedimenta to be taken with-a column in pursuit of 'Boers is to suppose that the superior officers in South Africa had taken. leave of their senses.—I am, Sir, &c.,
SIIIIM QIIIQIIE.
[No doubt it was very tempting to annex a nice piano. or harmonium or kitchen range, but a commander who meant, and not merely talked, mobility would have resisted the temptation. An officer who wan determined to "move light" at all costs would have destroyed every piano, harmonium, or kitchen range as a snare.—En. Spectator.]
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