The Great War in England in 1897, etc

Front matter

THE GREAT WAH IN ENGLAND IN MORRISON AND GIBB, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH. BOMBARDMENT OF LONDON: " IN LUDGATE HILL THE SCENE WAS AWFUL." THE GREAT WAR IN ENGLAND IN 1897 WILLIAM LE QUEUX, F.E.6.S. AUTHOR OF "GUILTY BONDS" "STRANGE TALES OF A NIHILIST" "CONDEMNED TO SILENCE" "THE STOLEN SOUL" ETC. ILLUSTRATED BY CAPTAIN CYRIL FIELD, R.M.L.I. AND T. S. C. CROWTHER First Edition LONDON TOWER PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED 95, Minoeies, E.C. 1894 [All Rights Reserved'] ro MY FRIEND ALFRED CHARLES HARHSWORTH A GENEROUS EDITOR AND PATRIOTIC ENGLISHMAN I INSCEIBE THIS FORECAST a. a* THE COMING AVAR

Preface

— ♦ — General Lord Eoberts, V.C., on reading this forecast of the Coming War, wrote as follows : — Grove Park, Kingsbury, Middlesex, March 26, 1894. Dear Sir, — I entirely concur with you in thinking it most desirable to bring home to the British public in every possible way the dangers to which the nation is exposed, unless it maintains a Navy and Army sufficiently strong and well organised to meet the defensive requirements of the Empire. — Believe me, yours faithfully, Field-Marshal Viscount Wolseley, K.P., in his Life of Marlborough, speaks plainly when he says — The last battle fought in England was fought to secure James his crown. If through the folly and parsimony of our people we should ever see another, it will be fought in defence of London. The struggle will be, not for a dynasty, but for our own very existence as an independent nation.

Are we prepared to meet it ? The politician says Yes ; the soldier and the sailor say No. Such outspoken expressions of opinion from two of our chief military authorities should cause the British public to pause and reflect. On all hands it is admitted by both naval and military experts, that, notwithstanding the increase of our Preface Navy by the Spencer programme, our country is inadequately defended and totally unprepared for war. The extraordinary preparations now going forward in France and Eussia are beiog made in view of an attack upon England, and it is ominous that the downfall of our Empire is a perpetual subject of discussion in the Paris press. Although a Briton, I have lived long enough in France to know that the French, while hating the Germans, despise the English, and are looking forward to a day not far hence when their battleships will bombard our south coast towns, and their legions advance over the Surrey Hills to London.

When the Great War does come, it will come swiftly, and without warning. We are accustomed to scoff at the idea of an invasion of Britain. We feel secure in our sea-girt island home ; we have confidence in our brave sailor defenders, in our gallant Army, and our enthusiastic Volunteers, and we entertain a supreme contempt for " mere foreigners." It is this national egotism, this insular conviction that foreign engines of war are inferior to our own, that may cause our ruin. Everything we possess, everything we hold dear, our position among nations, our very life, depends for its safety, firstly, upon the undoubted predominance of our Navy over any likely or possible combination of the Navies of Continental Powers ; and, secondly, upon an Army properly equipped and ready to take the field on receipt of the momentous word " Mobilise"-! ' Is our Navy, even strengthened by the recent programme, in a sufficiently efficient state to retain the supremacy of the seas ?

Let us face the situation boldly, and allow a well-known and distinguished officer to reply to that question. Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas Symonds, G.C.B., writing to me, says — Our weak Navy, with its inefficient personnel, has now to perform an enormously increased duty, such as defending increased commerce, food, and coals. Our guns are the worst in the world in forty-seven vessels, mounting 350 nmzzleloaders, where the French and all foreign Navies use only breechloaders. Dimensions, expense, and very many other reasons are given for this ruinous custom, but all other Navies mount breechloaders on vessels of the same dimensions as our own. As to expenses, such economy (so-called) means the most execrable parsimony — to ruthlessly murder men and disgrace our flag and Navy. Preface 7 Our forty-seven feeble vessels, weak in armament, and all composing them, reduce our Navy to comparative insignificance, and are a preparation for disgrace and ruin when at war.

Yet we are content to sit idly by, confident in a strength which two foreign Powers are slowly but surely undermining ! Russia and France, both barely able to sustain their gigantic Armies, are to-day straining every nerve to enlarge their naval forces, preparatory to a swift descent upon our shores. This alarming fact we wilfully disregard, affecting to find humour in the Franco-Muscovite preparations. Thus, unless we maintain a Navy of sufficient strength to prevent invasion, War, with its attendant horrors, is inevitable, and the scene of battle will be England's smiling fields. Turning to our Army, what do we find ? Even the civilian writer who studies it is amazed at the muddle of insufficiency in which it is steeped. Our Home Defence Scheme is a very elaborate paper problem, but as our forces have never been mobilised, its many glaring defects must, alas ! remain un remedied until our highways echo to the tramp of an enemy.

Upon this point a volume might be written, but a few plain facts must suffice. Military experts will, I think, agree when I assert that the 2nd Corps, as planned by this grotesque scheme, does not and cannot exist ; and while the 3rd Corps may possibly stand as regards infantry, because its infantry are all Militia, yet it will have neither Regular cavalry nor guns. Every one of the staffs is a myth, and the equipment and commissariat arrangements ave a complete guarantee of collapse at the outset of mobilisation. What, for instance, can be said of a system in which one unit of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade " mobilises," and obtains its " personal " and part of its " regimental " equipment at Plymouth ; the other part of its regimental paraphernalia, including munitions, at Aldershot ; and its horses — at Dublin ?

Practically, half our cavalry at home are to-day, however, incapable of mobilisation, for, according to the latest return available, I find that over six thousand cavalry men have no horses ! Again, the Volun teers, upon whom we must depend for the defence of London, Preface have no transport, and the ammunition columns for the 3rd Army Corps and the Regular cavalry do not exist. Such staggering deficits as these are in themselves sufficient to show how critical would be our position if England were invaded, and in order to give an adequate idea of what we may expect during that reign of terror, I have penned the narrative which follows. Some, no doubt, believe that our enemies will treat us with more mercy than I have shown, but I firmly anticipate that in the desperate struggle for the supremacy of the world, towns will be bombarded and international law set at naught where our invaders see a chance of success.

Consequently, the ruin must be widespread, and the loss of life enormous. In the various strategical and tactical problems involved, I have received assistance from a number of well-known naval and military officers on the active list, whose names I am, however, not at liberty to divulge. Suffice it to say that, in addition to personally going over the whole of the ground where battles are fought, I have also obtained information from certain official documents not made public, and have endeavoured to bring this forecast up to date by introducing the latest inven tions in guns, and snowing the relative strength of Navies as they will appear in 1897. In this latter I have been compelled to bestow names upon many ships now building. To Lieut. J. G. Stevens, 17th V.B. Middlesex Eegiment, who supplied me with many facts regarding the Volunteers ; to Mr. Alfred C. Harmsworth, F.R.G.S., whose suggestion prompted me to write this narrative; aud to Mr. Harold Harmsworth, who on several occasions assisted me, I hereby acknowledge my thanks.

While many readers will no doubt regard this book chiefly as an exciting piece of fiction, I trust that no small proportion will perceive the important lesson underlying it, for the French are laughing at us, the Russians presume to imitate us, and the Day of Reckoning is hourly advancing. WILLIAM LE QUEUX. Prince of Wales's Club, Coventry Street, W. CONTENTS

Book I The Invasion Chap

PAGE I. THE SHADOW OF MOLOCH . . . . .13 II. A TOTTERING EMPIRE ..... 19 III. ARMING FOR THE STRUGGLE . . . .23 IV. THE SPY ....... 28 V. BOMBARDMENT OF NEWHAVEN .... 35 VI. LANDING OF THE FRENCH IN SUSSEX . . .40 VII. BOMB OUTRAGES IN LONDON . . . .41 VIII. FATEFUL DAYS FOR THE OLD FLAG . . .49 IX. COUNT VON BEII.STEIN AT HOME . . . .56 X. A DEATH DRAUGHT. ..... 61 XI. THE MASSACRE AT EASTBOURNE . . . .65 XII. IN THE EAGLE'S TALONS ..... 70 XIII. FIERCE FIGHTING IN THE CHANNEL . . .75 XIV. BATTLE OFF BEACHY HEAD ..... 85

Book II The Struggle XV

THE DOOM OF HULL . . . . .99 XVI. TERROR ON THE TYNE . . . . .110 XVII. HELr FROM OUR COLONIES . . . . .125 » Contents 10 PAGE CHAP. XVIII. RUSSIAN ADVANCE IN THE MIDLANDS . . . 13/ XIX. FALL OF BIRMINGHAM . 1;<0 XX. OUR REVENGE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN . .162 XXI. A NAVAL FIGHT AND ITS CONSEQUENCES . . .174 XXII. PANIC IN LANCASHIRE . . • • .186 . XIII. THE EVE OF BATTLE . . ■ ■ .193 XXIV. MANCHESTER ATTACKED BY RUSSIANS . . ■ 200 XXV. GALLANT DEEDS BY CYCLISTS .... 208 XXVI. GREAT BATTLE ON THE MERSEY .... 213 XXVII. THE FATE OF THE VANQUISHED . . . .218

Book III The Victory XXVIII

A SHABBY WAYFARER ..... 229 XXIX. LANDING OF THE ENEMY AT LEITH . . . 235 XXX. ATTACK ON EDINBURGH ..... 243 XXXI. " THE DEMON OF WAR " . . . . . 248 XXXII. FRIGHTFUL SLAUGHTER OUTSIDE GLASGOW . . . 256 XXXIII. MARCH OF THE FRENCH ON LONDON . . . 268 XXXIV. LOOTING IN THE SUBURBS ..... 279 XXXV. LONDON BOMBARDED ..... 284 XXXVI. BABYLON BURNING ...... 291 XXXVII. FIGHTING ON THE SURREY HILLS .... 299 XXXVIII. NAVAL BATTLE OFF DUNGENESS .... 304 XXXIX. THE DAY OF RECKONING ..... 312 XL. " FOR ENGLAND ! " . . . . . . 324 XLI. DAWN ... ....

Chapter I. The Shadow Of Moloch

AR ! War in England ! Growled by thoughtful, stern-visaged men, gasped with bated breath by pale-faced, terrified women, the startling news passed quickly round the Avenue Theatre from gallery to boxes. The crisis was swift, complete, crushing. Actors and audience were appalled. Though it was a gay comic opera that was being performed for the first time, entertainers and entertained lost all interest in each other. They were amazed, dismayed, awestricken. Amusement was nauseating; War, with all its attendant horrors, was actually upon them ! The popular tenor, one of the idols of the hour, blundered over his lines and sang terribly out of tune, but the hypercritical first-night audience passed the defect unnoticed. They only thought of what might happen : of the dark cavernous future that lay before. 1S97 14 AVar had been declared against Britain — Britain, the Empire that had so long rested in placid sea-girt security, confident of immunity from attack, was to be invaded !

The assertion seemed preposterous. Some, after reading eagerly the newspapers still damp from the press, smiled incredulously, half inclined to regard the startling intelligence as a mere fabrication by alarmists, or a perfected phase of the periodical war-scare which sensational journalists annually launch upon the world during what is technically known as the " gooseberry " season. Other readers, however, recollecting the grave political crises on the Continent, set their teeth firmly, silent and dumfounded. Upon many merchants and City men the news fell like a thunderbolt, for financial ruin stared them in the face. Evidently a desperate attempt would be made by the enemy to land on English soil. Already the startled play goers could hear in their excited imagination the clash of arms mingling with the triumphant yell of the victor, and the stifled, despairing cry of the hapless victim.

But who, they wondered, would be the victim ? Would Britannia ever fall to the dust with broken trident and shattered shield ? Would her neck ever lie under the heel of the foreign invader ? No, never — while Britons could fight. The theatre, in its garish blaze of electricity, and crowded with well-dressed men and women, presented a brilliant appearance, which had suddenly become strangely incongruous with the feelings of the audience. In the boxes, where youth and beauty smiled, the bouquets which had been pro vided by the management gave to the theatre a bright, artistic touch of colour. Yet the pungent odour they dif fused had become sickening. Intermingled with other flowers there were many tuberoses. They are funereal blossoms, ineffably emblematic of the grave. There is death in their breath.

When the astounding news fell upon the house the per formance was drawing to a close. A moment before, every one The Shadow of Moloch 15 had been silent and motionless, listening with rapt attention to the tenor's plaintive love song, and admiring the grace of the fair heroine, but as the terrible truth dawned upon them they rose, amid a scene of the wildest excitement. The few papers that had been purchased at fabulous prices at the doors were eagerly scanned, many of the sheets being torn into shreds in the mad struggle to catch a glimpse of the alarming telegrams they contained. For a few moments the agitation nearly approached a panic, while above the hum and din the hoarse, strident voices of running newsmen could be heard outside, yelling, " War declared against England ! Expected landing of the enemy !

Extrur-speshal ! " There was a hidden terror in the word " War " that at first held the amazed playgoers breathless and thoughtful. Never before had its significance appeared so grim, so fatal, so fraught with appalling consequences. War had been actually declared ! There was no averting it ! It was a stern reality. No adroit diplomatic negotiations could stem the advancing hordes of foreign invaders ; Ministers and ambassadors were as useless pawns, for two great nations had had the audacity to combine in the projected attack upon Great Britain. It seemed incredible, impossible. True, a Great War had long been predicted, forecasts had been given of coming con flicts, and European nations had for years been gradually strengthening their armies and perfecting their engines of war, in the expectation of being plunged into hostilities.

Modern improvements in arms and ammunition had so altered the conditions of war, that there had long been a feeling of insecurity even among those Powers who, a few years before, had felt themselves strong enough to resist any attack, however violent. War-scares had been plentiful, crises in France, Germany, and Russia of frequent occurrence ; still, no one dreamed that Moloch was in their midst — that the Great War, so long foreshadowed, had in reality com menced. Yet on this hot, oppressive Saturday night in August the extra-special editions of the papers contained news that startled the world. It ran as follows : — INVASION OF ENGLAND. WAR DECLARED BY FRANCE AND RUSSIA. HOSTILE FLEETS ADVANCING. EXTRAORDINARY MANIFESTO BY THE TSAR. [Reuter's Telegrams.] St. Petersburg, August Hth, 4 p.m. The most intense excitement has been caused here by a totally unexpected and amazing announcement made this afternoon by M. de Giers, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to the Count de Montebello, the French Ambassador.

It appears that the Minister has addressed to the French representative a short note in which the following passage occurs : — "The earnest negotiations between the Imperial Government and Great Britain for a durable pacification of Bosnia not having led to the desired accord, His Majesty the Tsar, my august master, sees himself compelled, to his regret, to have recourse to force of arms. Be therefore so kind as to inform your Government that from to-day Russia considers herself in a state of war with Great Britain, and requests that France will immediately comply with the obligations of the alliance signed by President Carnot on February 23rd, 1892." A circular note has also been addressed by the Russian Foreign Office to its ambassadors at the principal Courts of Europe, stating that, for reasons assigned, the Tsar has resolved to commence hostilities against Great Britain, and has given his Armies and Navy orders to commence the invasion.

This declaration has, no doubt, been contemplated by the Russian Govern ment for several days. During the past week the Count de Montebello has twiee had private audience of the Tsar, and soon after 11 a.m. to-day he had a long interview with M. de Giers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is understood that General Vannovski, Minister of War, was also present. No official notification of the Declaration of War has been given to the British Ambassador. This has created considerable surprise. 5.30 p.m. Large posters, headed "A Manifesto of His Majesty the Emperor of Russia," and addressed to his subjects, are being posted up in the Nevski Prospekt. In this document the Tsar says — "Our faithful and beloved subjects know the strong interest which we have constantly felt in the destinies of our Empire.

Our desire for the pacification of our western frontier has been shared by the whole Russian nation, which now shows itself ready to bear fresh sacrifices to alleviate the position of those oppressed by British rule. The blood and property of our faithful subjects have always been dear to us, and our whole reign attests our constant solicitude to preserve to Russia the benefits of peace. This solicitude never failed to actuate us during the deplorable events which occurred recently in Bulgaria, Austro - Hungary, and Bosnia. Our object, before all, was to effect an amelioration in the position of our people on the frontier by means of pacific The Shadow of Moloch 17 negotiations, and in concert with the great European Powers, our allies and friends. Having, however, exhausted our pacific efforts, we are compelled by the haughty obstinacy of Great Britain to proceed to more decisive acts.

A feeling of equity and of our own dignity enjoins it. By her recent acts Great Britain places us under the necessity of having recourse to arms. Profoundly convinced of the justice of our cause, we make known to our faithful subjects that we declare war against Great Britain. In now invoking a blessing upon our valiant armies, we give the order for an invasion of England." This manifesto has excited the greatest enthusiasm. The news has spread rapidly, and dense crowds have assembled in the Nevski, the Izak Platz, and on the English Quay, where the posters are being exhibited. The British Ambassador has not yet received any communication from the Imperial Government. Fontainebleau, Aug. lilh, 4.30 r.M. President Casimir-Perier has received a telegram from the Count de Monte bello at St. Petersburg, stating that Russia has declared war against Great Britain.

The President left immediately for Paris by special train. Paris, Aug. 14th, 4.50 p.m. An astounding piece of intelligence has this afternoon been received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is no less than a Declaration of War by Russia against Britain. The telegram containing the announcement was received at the Ministry from the French Ambassador at St. Petersburg soon after three o'clock. The President was at once informed, and the Cabinet immediately summoned. A meeting is now being held for the purpose of deciding upon the course to be pursued with regard to the obligations of France contracted by tli6 Treaty of Alliance made after the Cronstadt incident in 1891. The news of impending hostilities has just been published in a special edition of the Soir, and has created the wildest excitement on the Boulevards.

Little doubt is entertained that France will join the invading forces, and the result of the deliberations of the Cabinet is anxiously awaited. President Casimir-Perier has returned from Fountainebleau. [By Telephone thp.ough Dalziel's Agency.] 6 p.m. The meeting of the Cabinet has just concluded. It has been resolved that France shall unreservedly render assistance to Russia. There is great activity at the War Office, and troops are already being ordered on active service. The excitement in the streets is increasing. [Reuter's Telegp.ams.] Berlin, Aug. lith, 5.30 p.m. Telegrams received here from St. Petersburg report that Russia has un expectedly declared war against Great Britain, and called upon France to aid her in a combined attack. The report is scarcely credited here, and further details are being eagerly awaited.

The Emperor, who was to have left for Bremen this afternoon, has abandoned his journey, and is now in consultation with Count von Caprivi. Christiansand, Aug. lith, 7.30 p.m. The French Channel Squadron, which has been manœuvring for the past fortnight off' the western coast of Norway, anchored outside the fjord here last night. This morning, according to rumour, the Russian Squadron arrived suddenly, and lay about thirty miles off land. Secret telegraphic orders were received at 6 p.m. by the Admirals of both fleets almost simultaneously, and the whole of the vessels left in company half an hour later. They sailed in a southerly direction, but their destination is unknown. Dieppe, Aug. lith, 8 p.m. Ten transport vessels are embarking troops for England. Four regiments of cavalry, including the 4th Chasseurs and 16th Guards, are — * * The conclusion of this message has not reached us, all the wires connecting this country with France having been cut.

Chapter II

A TOTTERING EMPIRE. HE excitement in the theatre had increased, and the curtain had been rung down. Death shadows, grimly apparent, had fallen upon the house, and the scene was an extraordinary and unprecedented one. No such wild reftlessm ss and impetuous agitation had ever before been witnessed within those walls. Some enthusiast of the pit, springing to his feet, and drawing a large red handkerchief from his pocket, waved it, shouting — " Three cheers for good Old England ! " to which, after a moment's silence, the audience responded lustily. Then, almost before the last sound had died away, another patriot of the people mounted upon his seat, crying — " No one need fear. The British Lion will quickly hold the French Eagle and the Russian Bear within his jaws. Let the enemy come; we will mow them down like hay."

This raised a combined laugh and cheer, though it sounded forced and hollow. Immediately, however, some buoyant spirits in the gallery commenced singing "Rule, Britannia," the chorus of which was taken up vigorously, the orchestra assisting by playing the last verse. Outside, the scene in the streets was one of momentarily increasing excitement. The news had spread with marvellous rapidity, and the whole city was agog. An elbowing, waving, stormy crowd surged down the Strand to Trafalgar Square, where an impromptu demonstration was being held, the Government being denounced by its opponents, and spoken of with confidence by its supporters. The Radical, the Socialist, the Anarchist, each aired his views, and through the throng a hoarse threatening murmur condensed into three words, " Down with Russia !

Down with France ! " The cry, echoed by a thousand throats, mingled weirdly with the shouts of the newsmen and the snatches of patriotic songs. London was anxious, fevered, and turbulent, that hot, moonless August night. At that hour all the shops were closed, and the streets only lighted by the lamps. From the unlighted windows the indistinct shapes of heads looking out on the scene could be distinguished. On the pavements of Piccadilly and Knightsbridge knots of people stood arguing and wrangling over the probable turn of events. From uncouth Whitechapel to artistic Kensington, from sylvan Highgate to the villadom of Dulwich, the amazing intelligence had been conveyed by the presses of Fleet Street, which were still belching forth tons of damp news-sheets. At first there was confidence among the people ; nevertheless little by httle this confidence diminished, and curiosity gave, place to surprise.

But what could it be ? All was shrouded in the darkest gloom. In the atmosphere was a strange and terrible oppression that seemed to weigh down men and crush them. London was, it appeared, walled in by the unknown and the unexpected. But, after all, England was strong; it was the mighty British Empire ; it was the world. What was there to fear ? Nothing. So the people continued to shout, "Down with France ! Down with the Autocrat ! Down with the Tsar ! " A young man, who had been sitting alone in the stalls, had risen, electrified at the alarming news, and rushing out, hailed a passing cab, and drove rapidly away up Northumberland Avenue. This conduct was remarkable, for Geoffrey Engle heart was scarcely the man to flinch when danger threatened. He was a tall, athletic young fellow of twenty-six, with wavy brown hair, a dark, smartly-trimmed moustache, and handsome, A Tottering Empire 21 well-cut features.

He was happy and easy-going, always overflowing with genuine bonhomie. As the younger son of a very distinguished officer, he contrived to employ himself for a couple of hours a day at the Foreign Office, where, although a clerk, he held a very responsible position. Belonging to a rather good set, he was a member of several fashionable clubs, and lived in cosy, well-furnished chambers in St. James's Street. Driving first to the house of his fiancee, Violet Vayne, at Rutland Gate, he informed her family of the startling intelli gence ; then, re-entering the conveyance, he subsequently alighted before the door of his chambers. As he paid the cabman, an ill-clad man pushed a newspaper into his face, crying, " 'Ere y'are, sir. Extrur-special edition o' the People. Latest details. Serious scandal at the Forrin' Office."

Geoffrey started. He staggered, his heart gave a bound, and his face blanched. Thrusting half a crown into the man's dirty palm, he grasped the paper, and rushing upstairs to his sitting-room, cast himself into a chair. In breathless eager ness he glanced at the front page of the journal, and read the following : — SCANDAL AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE. A State Secret Divulged. An extraordinary rumour is going the round of the Service clubs to-night. It is alleged that the present Declaration of War would have been impossible but for the treachery of some person through whose hands the transcript of a secret treaty between England and Germany passed to-day. A prominent Cabinet Minister, on being questioned by our reporter on the subject, admitted that he had heard the rumour, but declined to make any definite statement whether or not it was true.

There must be a good deal behind the rumour of treachery, inasmuch as none of the prominent men who have already been interviewed gave a denial to the statement. Geoffrey sat pale and motionless, with eyes fixed upon the printed words. He read and re-read them until the lines danced before his gaze, and he crushed the paper in his hands, and cast it from him. The little French clock on the mantelshelf chimed the hour of one upon its silvery bell ; the lamp spluttered and burned dim. Still he did not move ; he was dumfounded, rooted to the spot. Blacker and blacker grew the crowd outside. The density of the cloud that hung over all portended some direful tragedy. The impending disaster made itself felt. An alarming sense of calmness filled the streets. A silence had suddenly fallen, and was becoming complete and threatening. What was it that was about to issue from these black storm-clouds ? Who could tell ?

Chapter III. Arming For The Struggle

ONDON was amazed. The provinces were awestricken, paralysed by the startling suddenness with which the appalling news of the invasion had been flashed to them. Bewildered, the people could not believe it. Only slowly did the vivid and terrible truth dawn individually upon the millions north and south, and then, during the Day of Rest, they crowded to the newspaper and telegraph offices, loudly clamouring for further details of the overwhelming catastrophe that threatened. They sought for information from London ; they expected London, the mighty, all-powerful capital, to act. Through the blazing Sunday the dust rose from the im patient, perspiring crowds in towns and cities, and the cool night brought no rest from a turmoil now incessant. Never before were such scenes of intense enthusiasm witnessed in England, Wales, and Scotland, for this was the first occasion on which the public felt the presence of invaders at their very doors.

A mighty force was on its way to ruin their homes, to sweep from them their hard-earned savings, to crush, to conquer — to kill them ! Fierce antagonism rose spontaneously in every Briton's heart, and during that never-to-be-forgotten day, at every barracks throughout the country, recruiting-sergeants were besieged by all sorts and conditions of men eager to accept the Queen's shilling, and strike for their country's honour. Heedless of danger, of hardship, of the fickle fortune of the fight, the determination to assist in the struggle rose instantly within them. At York, Chester, Edinburgh, and Portsmouth, volunteers came forward by hundreds. All were enthusiastic, undrilled, but ready to use their guns — genuinely heroic patriots of our land, such as are included in no other nation than the British.

Pluck, zeal for the public safety, and an intense partisanship towards their fellows induced thousands to join the colours — many, alas ! to sink later beneath a f oeman's bullet, unknown, unhonoitred heroes ! Already the Cabinet had held a hurried meeting, at which it had been decided to call out the whole of the Eeserves. Of this the War Office and Admiralty had been notified, and the Queen had given her sanction to the necessary proclamations, with the result that telegraphic orders had been issued to general officers commanding and to officers commanding Reservists to mobilise instantly. The posters containing the proclamation, which are always kept in readiness in the hands of officers commanding Regimental Districts, were issued immediately, and exhibited on all public places throughout the kingdom.