A sinister circumstance, in this connection, was the undoubted fact that the new navy built or bought by Russia was largely officered by men who had been trained and instructed by Japanese experts. A few years before, it would have been deemed inconceivable that a Russian should have submitted to tutelage from the once despised “little yellow men.” But the bitter lessons of experience had made their impression even in Russia. The deep-seated desire for restored prestige and power outweighed the national pride; and the Japanese, on their part, were not unwilling to make certain Russian ships and crews efficient for naval warfare, provided such ships remained thousands of miles from Japan and her possessions in the East. Thus it had come about, in the whirligig of time’s revenges, that Japan, which had learnt her naval lessons from Great Britain, and had splendidly carried them into practice against Russia, was now supposed to be Russia’s secret guide, philosopher, and friend in inculcating the art and science of naval warfare. These, however, were matters of which the British public in general had but little knowledge. For them the shoe pinched nearer home. So dangerous and uncertain were the conditions of life in London, that hosts of prosperous people, who had returned in the autumn, hoping that the tyranny would be over, left town again with their families when it was discovered that the winter months might hold something yet worse in store. But these departures, numerous as they were, made but a small gap in the enormous aggregate life of the capital. Scores of thousands, or hundreds of thousands might go, but millions remained, and must remain; for here was their lot cast; here in the misery and murk of the season of fog and slush and drizzle the railroad of life was laid down for them, and to leave the rails was hopeless and impossible. With the idea of calming the apprehensions of residents and tradesmen, and at the same time in the hope of overawing the Leaguers, the civil and military authorities now organised a patrol of the streets by bodies of police and special constables. At the same time it was noticed that musters and marches of the regular troops and volunteers were of frequent occurrence. It was in connection with the renewed activity of the “Devil’s Own” that Herrick now had an exciting personal experience of the perils of the times.