The late Commander-in-Chief was one of the few remaining representatives of the Quartermaster-General's Department in India, and to the admirable training which that department afforded much of his success as a soldier must be ascribed. No better school of practical instruction in Staff duties could be desired. Among its pupils may be mentioned Lord Roberts himself, Sir Charles MacGregor, Sir Herbert Stewart, Sir William Lockhart, and Sir Alfred Gaselee. Now, alas! it has been abolished, or, at least, incorporated in the Adjutant-General's Department. * * * * * THE QUARTERMASTER'S YARN. E. J. K. NEWMAN, LIEUT. R.N. DEAR MR. EDITOR,--The following lines were written by me on board the mail steamer, about two young soldiers now serving with the army:-- 'Twas on the deck, that around our ship, from the mast to the taffrail ran, I saw alone, in a chair (not their own), a tall young girl and a man. Her hair was light and fluffy and swarthy and dark was he, And I saw the coon, one afternoon, a-spooning that girl quite free. So I spotted a Quartermaster bold as he went from the wheel to tea, And I asked that Jack, if upon that tack, the passengers went to sea. "Lord love yer honour, we often sees that, the stewards and the likes of us; There's always couples a-spooning there, but we never makes no fuss. "If you look around, you'll see, I'll be bound, each day at a quarter to three, A tall young fellow with curly hair and a girl in black, quite young and fair, That's another couple," says he. "And every night, I assure you it's right, straight up on this deck they'll come And spoon around, till it's time to go down. One night 'twas a quarter to one." "Now it suddenly struck me early one morn, this might be a serious thing. Perhaps they loves, these two little doves, and has offered them the ring. So I leaves them alone in the world of their own; and this 'twixt you and me, I hope I shall, by each little gal, to the wedding invited be." LATER. Then the Quartermaster brushed away a tear with his horny hand, The last couple now have had a row, and don't speak, I understand. 'Tis not a fable, she won't sit at his table As she used to do of old; But has taken up with a married man, At least, so I've been told. OLD SALT. * * * * * THE SECOND RELIEF OF KIMBERLEY. DEAR FRIEND,--I suppose that General French and his lot think they relieved Kimberley? Well, that's all right, and in spite of his name being forrin, he's a good chap; so, as Billy the Sailor says, let's make it so. But I should like to know where would French be now if it wasn't for Billy and the Yank?