congratulated on the peculiarities of an enemy who, up to now, has never interfered with their arrangements. That his unaccountable inaction may continue is much to be desired; for any adequate means of protection, without very largely increasing the number of the troops, are out of the question.
Had it not been for the catastrophe which closed so abruptly the first part of the campaign, the labours of those engaged just now would have been stimulated by the thought that any extra exertion tended to hasten the movement home; and though every one's services are rendered willingly enough, no doubt the worst effect of this has been largely felt. Still the inevitable has to be faced in as cheery a light as possible, and, with the example of General Gordon so fresh in the memory of all, complaining would seem more than out of place. With him it may be said knight-errantry is at an end, for the last two centuries show no work like his. His inexhaustible energy and untold resource in a climate like this, strike upon the minds of people in the Soudan more vividly than can be the case at home, where the fell influence of inertia caused by many months' residence in an enervating temperature, and amid depressing surroundings, cannot be fully appreciated. But enough and to spare must have been said and written by now upon this subject, and all such praise, even from those who at home by words and abroad by deeds have done their best to save him, must sound but poor and faint beside the welcome "Well done!" which has greeted him on that mysterious shore.
