TIDi " LOG " SERIES.
The " Log " Series (Gerrard's, 55. net each) is one that should
be both interesting and valuable to the Naval Service and to the nation in general. The sailor learns what his fellows are doing ; the public is enlightened about many things of which it is not improbably ignorant. Two volumes are now before us: Across a Continent in a Man of War, by E. E. Highams, and The Log of H.M.S. Herinione,' by John T. Braby. The first contains the log of H.M.S. Pelorus.' It begins on October 16th, 1906, the crew having been conveyed out to St. Helena in the 'Sirius' and transferred to the • Pelorus.' The time of service was spent on the East Comet of Africa, from Cape Town to Zanzibar, and on the South American Coast in the Cruiser Squadron. But the most important event was a journey up the Amazon. More than two thousand miles were traversed, and the journey was of the most interesting kind ; there and back it took two months. A pleasant impression is left of South American scenery and society. but tho prices are appalling,—" the very exorbitant price of food- stuff due to the duty imposed, which is very high." Here are some of the items: bread, 7d.; butter, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 9d.; mutton, is. 3d. to is. 9d. ; cheese, 28. Gd. to 3s. per pound ; eggs, 5d. each ; sugar, 7d. per pound; beor,2s. 6d. per pint bottle; milk, 5s. per quart; oranges, 2s. 6d. per dozen. (Let our Tariff Reform friends note.) The Hormione ' spent two years and two months on the Cape Station and in the journeys to and fro. The "Log" is an agreeable narrative of duty and sport, on which it is needless to dwell, but which may be read with pleasure. We suppose that it was a friendly feeling which hindered the Hermione's ' eleven, when playing a cricket match at East London, from objecting to the huge bat of one of the South African players, which prevented any glimpse of his wicket being obtained. The M.C.C. rules lay down the size of the bat.
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