Everybody remembers, or has heard of, the great Russian rumour
of September, 1914. What was so curious about this rumour was the passionate intensity with which it was defended by the faithful. It arose, apparently, from the passage through Great Britain of some Serbian reservists on their way home. In a few hours these Serbian reservists had swollen into a great Russian army which had landed at Leith from eight vast liners and was rapidly being transported to France. There were those who swore that their aunt had actually seen the snow still adhering (although it was a warm September) to these Russian beards. To contradict this rumour was felt to show lack of patriotism and social solidarity. Appalling quarrels arose ; mothers wept, fathers thundered, old friendships were severed, en- gagements broken off. I am glad to learn from Mr. Harris- son that we have not as yet started to indulge in similar fantasies.
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