Let no one whose heart has been touched beyond mere vicarious pride in the achievement of our brothers-in-arms at the gate of Paris allow himself to miss the detailed narrative of HENRI DUGARD in _The Battle of Verdun_ (HUTCHINSON). A good translation by F. APPLEBY HOLT, rather exceptional in these days of hurried conveyancing, does not detract from the vigour and movement of the story. We, who only saw the long agony through the medium of the always inadequate and discreet technicalities of the _communiqués_, could form no real impression of the kind of fighting or of the results of each phase of it. The author has collected the accounts or reports, so that the strokes and counter-strokes (for there was nothing passive in this siege) of the epic combats round Douamont, Fort Vaux, the Woevre, Malancourt, Avocourt and the Mort Homme are intelligibly reconstructed. Comment in the form of personal anecdotes of individual heroism is added. Perhaps the most illuminating touch is in the letter of poor Feldwebel KARL GARTNER, which was to have been despatched to his mother by a friend going on leave, so as to escape the Censor's eye. It began in a mood of robustious confidence and ended (or rather was interrupted by GARTNER'S capture) on the most despairing note. And this was seven months before the most brilliant counter-attack in the history of the War slammed the door once for all in the face of the enemy. * * * * * [Illustration: _Theatrical Manager_. "THIS WON'T DO, YOU KNOW. IT'S NOT A LAUGH--IT'S A YAWN!" _Poster Artist_. "WELL, THAT'S BECAUSE YOU WERE IN SUCH A HURRY FOR THE SKETCH THAT YOU WOULDN'T GIVE ME TIME TO LET THE IMPRESSION OF THE PIECE WEAR OFF."] * * * * * "The scheme of utilising vacant spaces in London is being taken up enthusiastically in the provinces."--_Evening Standard_. At the same time the scheme of utilising vacant spaces in the provinces is being welcomed with similar enthusiasm in London. * * * * * "Vigorous complaints against the proposal to establish an overhead electric system of tramways in Edinburgh were made this afternoon. Lord Strathclyde declared that the overhead wires proposal had electrified the citizens."--_Scottish Paper_. There must be something seriously wrong with the insulation. * * * * * --> NOTICE.--Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS., Printed Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, will in no case be returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed Envelope, Cover, or Wrapper. To this rule there will be no exception. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 152, January 24, 1917, by Various