" The state of the country around here (which is
all I can personally speak about) is past the limit. There is absolutely no protection for anybody except what you can do for yourself. The police are retired to bed at 10.30 for the protection of tho barracks. The public can go to the devil and look after them- selves. Practically all the country police have been withdrawn and barracks closed, and consequently things go on now that couldn't occur previously. After 10.30 in the town every footpad and every evildoer can have it all their own way. Nobody who can possibly help it is out after dark, and all order and authority have completely vanished. I cannot see what the end of it is likely to be, but at present I am daily and nightly expecting to be raided, without the smallest hope of any assistance from the authorities. I can do very little when it occurs, especially against the very perfect arrangements that the attackers always make. I used to think 1 would put up a fight ; now I have ratherchanged my views, as it seems absolutely hopeless, and would probably only lead to the extermination of one's family and dependants. It is perfectly exasperating to think of the way we are being cast to the dogs by the authorities, and there seems no way of getting any protection for either life or property."
