enfilading impossible.

Attacks are made on the firing line trenches by blind saps, which are
constructed by a special earth borer. When this secret tunnel reaches
the enemy's trench, an assault is delivered amid a shower of hand
grenades. The stormers endeavor to burst their way through the opening
and then try to work along the trench. Machine guns are quickly brought
up to repel a counter attack. Most of this fighting takes place at such
close range that the guns on either side cannot be fired at the enemy's
infantry without great risk of hitting their own men. Bombs have come to
take the place of artillery, and they are being used in enormous
quantities.

The short-range howitzers are of three types, and those used by the
Germans have come to be termed the "Jack Johnson" of close attack. The
smaller bombs and grenades thrown by hand, although local in action, are
very unpleasant, particularly between the inclosed space of a trench.
These grenades are thrown continuously by both sides, and every trench
assault is first preceded and then accompanied by showers of these
murderous missiles. This kind of fighting is very deadly, and owing to
the difficulty of observation it is at times somewhat blind. This
difficulty has in a measure been decreased, however, by the use of the
hyperscope, an instrument which works very much like the periscope on a
submarine. It permits an observer to look out over the top of a parapet
without raising his head above the protection of the trench.

*THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY.*

By EDWARD NEVILLE VOSE.

THE old year dies 'mid gloom and woe--
The saddest year since Christ was born--
And those who battle in the snow
All anxious-eyed look for the morn--
The morn when wars shall be no more,
The morn when Might shall cease to reign,
When hushed shall be the cannons' roar
And Peace shall rule the earth again.

As we from far survey the fray
And strive to succor those who fall,
Let each give thanks that not today
To us the clarion bugles call--
That not today to us 'tis said:
"Bow down the knee, or pay the cost
Till all ye loved are maimed or dead,
Till all ye had is wrecked and lost."

Should that grim summons to us come
God grant we'd all play heroes' parts,
And bravely fight for land and home
While red blood flows in loyal hearts.
But now a duty nobler far
Has come to us in this great day--
We are the nations' guiding star,
They look to us to lead the