We much regret to record the death of Sir Redvers
Buller, which took place early on Tuesday morning. He bad been seriously ill since March, but recently rallied slightly. On Wednesday week he appears to have contracted a chill, and on Saturday grew worse. As one of Sir Redvers Buller's severest critics during the war, it would be unbecoming for us to pretend that he was a great general. But though we cannot allow hini the praise due either to the strategist or the tactician, we may heartily accord him the title of a brave soldier. Whether his original reputation was founded on a mis- understanding, and was due solely to his dash and courage, or whether in early life he possessed qualities which were after- wards obscured, it is very difficult to say. We are inclined to think, however, that, as often happens to men of a certain physical temperament, he lost in middle life that gift of rapid decision and driving power which are essential to the successful commander. Though we still hold that Sir Redvers Buller's conduct of affairs before Colenso was a great national misfortune, it is impossible not to feel proud of the way in which, in spite of his failures, he was regarded both by his army and by the British public. The soldiers never faltered in their admiration of Sir Redvers, and the country, with what was after all a right instinct, refused to be hard upon him—because be had failed.
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