Si. George and the Chinese Dragon. By Lieutenant - Colonel H. R.
Vaughan. (C. Arthur Pearson. 3s. 6d.)—Colonel Vaughan has put together in this volume a narrative of the doings of the Indian part of the British force in China,—i.e., of his own regiment (7th Rajputs), 1st Sikhs, and 24th Punjab Infantry; the 1st Bengal Lancers also served, but the narrative concerns the infantry only. The total casualties of the force were eighty-two (twelve killed and seventy wounded), and of this number fifty-four (seven and forty-seven) belonged to the three regiments. The special value of the volume is in its frank estimates of character and efficiency, and in its suggestions. We are apt to laugh at martinets and at the devisers of uniforms, yet these things often mean something. Our author, for instance, shows how the German helmet is superior to ours. It gives better shelter, and it permits a man to fire lying down. He thinks, too, that it is a mistake not to carry colours into action. With all the troops of the world clad in khaki, it .must be done. But, on the whole, Colonel Vaughan is satisfied with the British military equipment. Of the conduct of the troops, Indian and English, he speaks very highly. This praise he extends to the Japanese and the Americans. As to the others he has little good to say. From the military point of view, the French, at least part of the French (all but the Zouaves and Chasseurs d'Afrique) were the worst, and they were also the most Niciles. The Germans moved with the greatest pre- cision; the Russians were" full of endurance, but ignorant, lacking in intelligence, and brutal in the hour of victory." "An officer of rank and experience once said to me : You can divide the troops in China into two classes, the civilised and the uncivilised; the civilised are the English, Americans, and Japanese." As to the
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