single sheet, with broad black borders,
was the first press announcement to reach the public; and it contained a
grave, closely reasoned address from the most famous statesman of the
Opposition, urging upon the public the need vital of exercising the
utmost cautiousness and self-restraint.

"England has been stricken to the earth," said this dignified statement.
"Her condition is critical. If the injury sustained is not to prove
mortal, the utmost circumspection is required at this moment. The
immediate duty of every loyal subject is quietly to concentrate his
energies for the time upon the restoration of normal conditions. In that
way only can our suffering country be given that breathing space which
is the first step toward recuperation. For my part, I can conceive of no
better, quicker method for the individual of serving this end than for
him to make the speediest possible return to the pursuit of his ordinary
avocation in life. It is to be hoped that, bearing in mind our urgent
need, all employers of labour will do their utmost to provide immediate
occupation for their work-people. It is not in the tragic catastrophe of
the past week, but in the ordeal of this moment, of the coming days,
that the real test of England's endurance lies. Never before was her
need so great; never before has Nelson's demand had so real and intimate
a message for each and every one of us. I pray God the response may ring
true. 'England expects that every man will do his duty!'"

I must not omit my tribute to those responsible for the salient fact
that this important issue of the journal whose unwavering Imperialism
had been scoffed at in the mad times before the Invasion, was not sold,
but distributed. Employment was found for hundreds of hungry men, women,
and children in its free distribution; their wage being the thing they
most desired: bread, with soup, which, as I learned that night, was
prepared in huge coppers in the foundry of the printing works.

I was with Constance Grey in Trafalgar Square when the news of the
accepted terms of peace reached us. We had just secured admission into
Charing Cross Hospital--not without considerable difficulty, for its
wards were crowded--for two wounded nurses from Epping. Together we read
the news, and when the end was reached it seemed to me that the light of
life and energy passed suddenly out of my companion. She seemed to
suffer some bodily change and loss, to be bereft of her spring and