24 MARCH 1906, Page 27

Speeches and Letters of Field-Marshal Earl Roberts. (Simpkin, Makshall, and

Co. ls. net.)—These " speeches and letters" have one subject, "Imperial defence." This is enough to commend them to the reader ; if he needs any other reason for acquiring the volume, we may add that the profits are to go to the " National Fund for the Promotion of Rifle-Shooting as a National Pursuit." Plain words are wanted on the subject, if only to counteract the teaching of politicians who tell us that if we will only be civil enough to foreign Powers we may do without Fleet and Army.