WITH LORD METHUEN IN SOUTH AFRICA.
With Lord Methuen in South Africa. By W. S. Gaskell, (H. 3. Drane. 6s.)—We do not know that there is anything' particularly striking or novel in Mr. G-askell's notes on the war and the extracts which he gives us from his letters and diaries. Nevertheless, they make good reading. He was a medical student at Edinburgh when, after the reverses of the early months of the war, volunteers were called for. After two unsuccessful efforts, he joined the Imperial Yeomanry. This was in February, 1900 ; before the end of March his company was at the front. There never was a war in which the rank-and-file of the Army had se much to say. As we read, we cannot help wishing that the privates of Greek and Roman armies had been equally articulate. A Roman soldier was seldom, it is true, an educated man ; but it. was otherwise with the Athenians. It is this that gives a special interest to such volumes as Mr. Gaskell's. The writers look at the operations of the war from a different point of view ; but the intel- lectual standpoint is the same as that of the men in command. One significant story we must quote as illustrating the imbecility which routine seems to generate. Mr. Gaskell suffered from an aching tooth, and wanted to have the offender pulled out. The sergeant asked: "Are you sick ?" and stuck to the point. His corporal must report him as sick. Otherwise nothing could be done. And he had to go away with his ache.
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