SKETCHES OF MANCHURIAN BATTLEFIELDS.* HISTORIES of the Russo-Japanese War as
a whole, or histories of separate phases of it, will probably continue to appear for many years. This multiplication of accounts will in one way no doubt be a cause of embarrassment to the student, who will have to select his source of information. On the other hand, some of the works that have already been published, and others still to appear, will not have this result ; they will be ancillary to the various histories, and purely an aid to the study of them. Major Glasfurd's book is of this character. It consists first of a description of the terrain of the campaign, and of the climate of Manchuria. This is followed by a set of small-scale maps of various areas where fighting took place. Each map is accompanied by a set of panoramic sketches of this ground from different spots. The point of view of each sketch, and the amount of ground embraced within it, are shown diagrammatically on the map by means of sectors. The sketches are clearly drawn, and give a very distinct idea of the nature of the ground. Major Glasfurd's work possesses considerable artistic merit; but it also shows a wise restraint. He avoids the multiplication or accentuation of that merely picturesque detail which—of artistic but no military value—is so often a pitfall to the military sketcher who is handy with his pencil. To those studying the war seriously these panoramas will give an idea of the natural difficulties which faced both combatants that no maps could convey.
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