ere was no justification on military grounds for this act of
vandalism, which seems to have been caused by exasperation born of
failure--a sign of impotence rather than strength. It is noteworthy that
a well-known hotel not far from the cathedral, which was kept by a
German, was not touched.

III.

*Two September Days.*

[Made Public Sept. 28.]

For four days there has been a comparative lull all along our front.
This has been accompanied [Transcriber: original 'acompanied'] by a
spell of fine weather, though the nights have been much colder. One
cannot have everything, however, and one evil result of the sunshine
has been the release of flies, which were torpid during the wet days.

Advantage has been taken of the arrival of reinforcements to relieve by
fresh troops the men who have been on the firing line for some time.
Several units, therefore, have received their baptism of fire during the
week.

Since the last letter left headquarters evidence has been received which
points to the fact that during the counter attacks on the night of Sept.
20 German detachments of infantry fired into each other. This was the
result of an attempt to carry out the dangerous expedient of a
converging advance in the dark. Opposite one portion of our position
considerable massing of hostile forces was observed before dark. Some
hours later a furious fusillade [Transcriber: original 'fusilade'] was
heard in front of our line, though no bullets came over our trenches.

This narrative begins with Sept. 21 and covers only two days. There was
but little rain on Sept. 21 and the weather took a turn for the better,
which has been maintained. The action has been practically confined to
the artillery, our guns at one point shelling and driving the enemy, who
endeavored to construct a redoubt.

The Germans expended a large number of heavy shells in a long range
bombardment of the village of Missy (Department of the Aisne).
Reconnoitring parties sent out during the night of Sept. 21-22
discovered some deserted trenches. In them or in the woods over 100 dead
and wounded were picked up. A number of rifles, ammunition and equipment
were also found. There were other signs that portions of the enemy's
forces had withdrawn some distance.

The weather was also fine on Sept. 22 with less wind, and it was one of
the most uneventful days we have passed since we reached the Aisne, that
is, uneventful for the British. There was less artiller