In _A Frenchwoman's Notes on the War_ (CONSTABLE) Mademoiselle CLAIRE DE PRATZ discourses pleasantly and patriotically of sundry effects of the War on French life and character. She is excusably proud of the part which her fellow-countrywomen have played. The women of France seem to have accomplished to admiration what we in England are only beginning to understand. Quietly, almost automatically, Frenchwomen have slipped into the men's vacant places and carried on the work of the country. The industry and resourcefulness of the average Frenchwoman are proverbial, but the author ascribes the peculiar readiness they have displayed at the present time largely to compulsory military service, as well as to the Frenchman's habit of discussing his work with his wife and daughters and awakening their interest in it. Thus, when the local paperhanger was called to the colours his wife repapered the author's country cottage "quite as efficiently"; and thrilling indeed is the account of the gallantry of one intrepid woman who, when the German Staff entered an important town (from which the Mayor and Municipal Council had fled), resisted their demand for a large war ransom. Widow of a former Senator of the Department, she "alone remained, the sole representative of officialdom." "We want to see the Mayor," said the invaders. "_Le Maire? C'est moi!_" was the reply. "Then kindly direct us to some members of the Municipal Council." "_Le Conseil Municipal? C'est moi!_" We are told that the Teutonic officials were amazed--and no wonder. But in the end they were forced to go without the money, and the town and its defender were left in peace. I commend _A Frenchwoman's Notes on the War_ as a most inspiriting record of what women can do; though the author magnanimously admits that, "for the callings of the coal-heaver and the furniture-remover," men, even in France, are still indispensable. * * * * * [Illustration: A PEACE WEDDING. UNIQUE SOCIAL FUNCTION WHICH TOOK PLACE AT LITTLE PUDDLETHORPE, HERTS, LAST WEEK.] * * * * *