A SOLDIER'S DIARY.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
Fin,—Enclosed is copy of part of the diary of my son now at the front. The part which specially appeals to me is the episode of the hero from Verdun, and more especially the comment.—I am, Sir, &e., S. F.
"Thursday—Monday (24th).—Four days off duty ; our Mr. led the cortege up to the trenches daily, and even went so far, after warning all the company commanders and battalion commanders and artillery group commanders in the neighbourhood, as to fire off two bombs. 1 paid one visit on Sunday just to celebrate Easter, and watched one of our little Easter eggs go over to Fritz—unfortunately, being pro- bably a little high, it burst before arrival, but we shall know where to put the next, which was all we wanted. Tho weather has been con- tinuously beastly, cold, windy, and appallingly wet—the day I visited the lino the water was beginning to get as had as ever ; but yesterday and to-day are looking more like summer and things are drying up again. In spite of the unfavourable weather, I have daily—bar Sunday- sovered the four or five kilometres to E., with which fruitful township, under the guidance of our Mr. —, I have renewed and improved my acquaintance ; our Mr. —, it may be remarked, lived there for two or three months, and as he speaks excellent French, secured, so to speak, an entrie into many delightful houses unknown to the casual visitor. Under his guidance, then, I have even been enabled to renew my ancient skill at the ping-pong table ! I feel certain that, whatever terrifying pictures you formed of my doings out here, you never for a minute thought of my smiting the nimble pilule up and down and—horrid thought !—being thoroughly well beaten by a fair daughter of France. Of course I haven't got my eye in yet—it must be three years since I last played, if not more—but I'll beat her before I've finished, though it will be some game when I do. Yesterday I forsook the ping-pong bat for the tea-cup, and paid a visit to our late mess ; had a jolly time there, as all the family were in, and also a cheerful old brother from M. ; heard some comical tales of things that happened when the Uhlans held E. and the neighbourhood—M. — and his brother hid in a chimney with the fire lighted while the Huns were searching for men, and so escaped— all the men they found they used as a screen to cover their retreat. There was also introduced for a short time with great pride monsieur qui vient de Verdun '—the husband of their servant, home on leave after going through the whole thing untouched. He was one of four survivors of the M.G. company to which he belonged, and told terrific tales which I didn't understand, as he spoke at top speed and in patois. It helped ono to understand how the French do what they do to see how every one in the room hung on his every word and the pride and courtesy with which they treated him—while his wife in the doorway held his overcoat with such a look of proud happiness on her face as I have never seen before. I can't imagine the conscience question growing acute here."
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