There 15 a general calm about everything here and a fixed determination to stick it. Grumbles there are and will be, but there are grumblers in the best of times. Personally I consider there are fewer people who consider they could run the country better than there were in peace time, and the-very vast majority are pulling their weight.
To organize the country on military lines would be simply impossible, as this country will not be treated the Nazis were. Although, the old gag about "muddling through" is often quoted, the fact remains that a volunteer is still worth more: than a pressed man, and organization tan be carried out without, all: the: saint ing and heel-tapping which is very often a sine qua non of some, but by all means not all, of the powers that Good-humoured Acceptance The way in which people.have.put up with the many inconveniences, such as blackouts, reduction in transport facilities and higher -prices marvellous. The general. good-humoured acceptance of these could not possibly happen anywhere but The busman surpass themselves in repartee, whilst—altHough fewer in numbers and. in limited time—the "Hyde Park tub thumpers still let off hot air.
Standing by for 24 hours a day is most tiring and 10 out of every 1,000 in London alone are doing it without any show. The great majority have taken intensive training in' their nese pective duties, and first ald and ambulance work is taken by alL. The whole structure of human: London has been changed, and I believe the same applies everywhere.
Everyone wants to get the aggression idea finished and get back to peaceful life again, Genera Sir Bindon Blood, "father" of the British Army, who celebrated his 97th birthday recently comes of adventurous, stock, being a member of the famous Ca. Clare family of that name which settled in western Ireland in. Elizabethan days. One of his ancestors was the notorious Colonel Blood, who tried to steal the Regalia from the Tower of London. His hobby is big game hunting, and although advancing years have now compelled him to give up. his favourite sport, he can claim 52 tigers in. his bags, and has-a.fund-of stories of adventures in the jungle. Sir Bindon, who, next to the King, is senior -officer Engineers, served in Afghan,-and the South African wars. Mr. Winston-Churchill served under him as a-subaltern in the last-mentioned campaign. vessel has found a mine field for her mates to clear.
The. promiscuous: sowing- of mibes in open shipping lanes—as opposed to-military -objeetives—is probably the most cowardly form of naval warfare. I have tried to tell you how the British Navy meets ~this menace, and should you ever meet
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