The seventh decade of the nineteenth century saw the realisation of one of the greatest facts of our time, the federation of the German states in one great military empire.  The tenth decade has realised a greater fact, the federation of the British colonies in a great social and commercial empire.  The German Empire must fall to pieces if it continues to subordinate the civil to the military Spirit in its national policy.  The British Empire can never perish while it is true to the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.

Signs of the growth of a military spirit are to be seen in the advocacy of some form of conscription or compulsory service for home defence; and this, too, at a time when the ends of the earth have been sending us volunteers in abundance to espouse a foreign quarrel.

Such advocates neither understand the national history nor the English character.  Were England in any real danger there would be no need for forced service, and service forced without need would breed revolution.  The nation that cannot depend upon its volunteers for its home defence is not worth defending.

ALFRED H. MILES.
October 1, 1900.

CONTENTS.

NAME.  AUTHOR.

The Englishman Eliza Cook
England goes to Battle Gerald Massey
England Once More F. T. Palgrave
God Defend the Right F. Harold Williams
The Volunteer Alfred H. Miles
Down in Australia Gerald Massey
Australia Speaks Gerald Massey
An Imperial Reply Gerald Massey
The Boys’ Return Gerald Massey
“Sound the Assembly!” Clement Scott
The Absent-Minded Beggar Rudyard Kipling
For the Empire F. Harald Williams
Wanted—­a Cromwell F. Harald Williams
England’s Ironsides F. Harald Williams
The Three Cherry-Stones Anonymous
The Midshipman’s Funeral Darley Dale
Ladysmith F. Harald Williams
The Six-inch Gun “The Bombshell”
St. Patrick’s Day F. Harald Williams
The Hero of Omdurman F. Harald Williams
Boot and Saddle F. Harald Williams
The Midnight Charge Clement Scott
Mafeking—­“Adsum!” A. Frewen Aylward
The Fight at Rorke’s Drift Emily Pfeiffer
Relieved! (At Mafeking) “Daily Express”
How Sam Hodge Won the V.C.  Jeffrey Prowse
The Relief of Lucknow R.T.S.  Lowell
A Ballad of War M.B.  Smedley
The Alma R.C.  Trench