ecent signature of the Cardinal Archbishop of Cologne.

Altogether we had been absent by this time for nearly two weeks, and
had still a long return journey ahead of us. I thought, however, that
the valuable service our men were rendering the great cause justified
our over-staying our leave. In fact, when I went to say good-bye to
Colonel Lamb, he and his staff told me that the presence of our men in
the City at that time had been worth any amount of printed propaganda.
I hinted that some statement of that kind to General Currie might be a
good thing. To my great delight, soon after we had returned, General
Currie received the following letter, which has an official stamp
which I never expected:--

BRITISH EMBASSY, (p. 223)
ROME.
9th November, 1917.
"Dear General,

"With reference to the recent visit to Rome of a party of Canadian
officers and soldiers, I am requested by H. E. Sir Rennel Rodd to
inform you of the excellent impression produced among the
inhabitants of this city, by the soldierlike turnout, and
excellent and courteous behaviour of all ranks belonging to the
party.

"Their visit has helped to inspire Italians with a feeling of
confidence in their allies at a time of great anxiety and trial.
"Believe me,
Yours very truly,
(Sgd.) CHARLES A. LAMB,
Colonel,
Military Attache.
Rome."

We left for Florence on Saturday November 3rd. The ladies of the Leave
Club came to see us off, and after a delightful trip in brilliant
sunshine, we arrived at our destination at seven in the evening. On
our journey we passed many trains filled with refugees, who were
crowded together in third-class carriages. As the Austrian and German
armies advanced in the North the people in the villages were given a
quarter of an hour in which to decide whether they would stay or go.
They were warned, however, that if they stayed and the Italians ever
tried to retake the towns they would all be put to death. I was told
by some officers of a British hospital in Turin, who had had to leave
the Italian front in a hurry, that it