LAND AND WATER 
October 31, 19 14 
THROUGH THE EYES 
OF A WOMAN 
Some Everyday Impressions 
LONDON streets are infinitely interesting these days. 
There is always something to hold the attention 
of the passer-by, and much that marks this 
present time as being different from all others. 
For one thing, we have never been so cosmopolitan 
as we are now. Nearly every other person to be seen bears 
unmistakable traces of French or Belgian nationality, and 
there are not a few Russians in our midst. We have grown 
accustomed to the sight of little groups of people struggling 
to make themselves understood in a strange country. We 
have also grown accustomed to the good Samaritan who 
almost invariably arrives to act as interpreter and earns a 
genuine gratitude. One of the most cheering signs of the 
times, indeed, is the anxiety shown by the English people to 
help in all possible ways. And this spirit of camaraderie 
grows and continues to flourish. It should mean the breaking 
of that national reserve and aloofness upon which, though 
low be it spoken, we have undoubtedly prided ourselves. 
Circumstances have proved too strong, and even such a long- 
estabhshed tradition as this vanishes before the bonds uniting 
the Allies. Another point worthy of note is the vast variety 
of uniforms to be seen. Here a Belgian officer passes swiftly 
on foot, receiving and returning the salute of an officer of the 
English army, wearing the badges of major's rank and a 
line of war ribbons. Further along are two Belgian privates, 
one of whom is limping rather badly, while both look sorely 
in need of care and rest. Naval officers in undress uniform 
wend their way along, either coming from or going to the 
Admiralty. Men from India, still wearing their sun-helmets 
and burnt brown after a sojourn in the tropics, jostle the 
elbow of some pale-faced Londoner wearing a medallion to 
show he has joined some particular branch of the New Army 
and awaits Service dress. Close to the headquarters of their 
regiment are some men wearing the well-known uniform of 
the London Scottish, with its unobtrusive kilt. Then there 
are the dispatch riders on motor cycles, with the blue and 
white band of their calling round their arm, and proceeding 
in recognised disdain of speed limits and their requirements. 
The Army in Making 
We are not at all ashamed of the impulse which makes 
us stand still to watch the passing by of a battalion of 
Kitchener's Army as it marches along, singing a snatch of 
some well-known song. All sorts and conditions of men are 
numbered in the ranks, from the stable lad to the boy who 
looks as if he had not left public school days very far behind. 
All sorts and conditions of hats and suits are worn also, for 
the recruit and his uniform are long parted. Now and again 
some enthusiast creates a diversion by waving his hat at 
these citizens who have answered their country's call ; but, 
apart from this, it must be admitted that it is our trans- 
Atlantic cousins who make most demonstration as the steady 
tramp goes by. One attractive Washingtonian, waving a 
minute handkerchief vigorously, was forcible in her dis- 
approval of English methods. " You watch your New 
Army," she said, indignantly, " but why don't you give 
them a cheer. Now, if it were us ! " And no amount 
of excuse of the true Britisher and his truly British habits 
would satisfy her. As a matter of fact, it is quite likely 
that the Englishman, being such as he is, would be the first 
to deprecate any undue notice as he makes his way through 
the streets on route-marching bent. He has made soldiering 
his business, like he makes most other things his business 
that he takes it into his mind to do. To form part of a 
spectacular show will certainly rasp his sense of fitness, and 
even if attention be not meant in this way he will probably 
get it into his head that it is As a nation we have certainly 
brought disguise of our feelings to a fine art, and this char- 
acteristic is dear to the heart of the race. The dread of 
anything approaching emotion, or what we are pleased to 
term bad form, is the strongest of motives, accounting for 
much that is quite incomprehensibie to people of other 
nationalities. The laconic Englishman has been a butt for 
much good-natured and some spiteful ridicule, but this ver\- 
quality makes him " the first-rate fighting man " of whom 
we are so justly proud to-day. The keynote of the country's 
attitude towards this crisis of its fate was struck by the 
manner in which the c?mpaign both on land and sea opened. 
Fleet and Army arrived at their allotted posts in silence, and 
nothing could have been more impressive than the grim 
qaiet with which they handled their appointed tasks from 
that time forward. 
Every Little Helps 
Such is the motto of the entirely fascinating toyshop 
which has been started at 21 Old Bond Street by Mrs. Duveen. 
It is known as " The Toy Shop," and is thus a toy shop both 
by name and by nature. Its object is no less excellent than 
the helping of the Belgian Relief Fund in Belgium. All the 
profits are going to be devoted to the succour of the unfor- 
tunate people left behind in the devastated districts of this 
country. With such an aim in view it is no wonder that 
" The Toy Shop " has the support of Comte de Lalaing, the 
Belgian Minister in England, and that he opened it at a very 
attractive little ceremony of inauguration. It is charming 
to see this toy shop, both inside and out. A carefully limited 
number of toys are arranged by a clever hand on a dark back- 
ground in either window. Inside, also, it is easy to realise 
that here may be found toys to please even the most 
sophisticated of children. Some of these toys are in- 
structive without being boring, and by their means many 
a child will be coaxed to improve his little mind as 
well as amuse it. We all know how many children resent 
instruction presented to them in play-time guise. It is the 
old story of the powder and the jam — an unfair combination, 
as all must agree, grown-up people as well as the nursery 
folk. This charge, however, cannot be made against a 
spelling game played with carved letters, which can be made 
to stand upright in a grooved wooden stand. " The Toy 
Shop " is busy now, but it will certainly grow busier still as 
Christmas looms nearer and nearer and toy-making as an 
English industry progresses. To this end and in connection 
with this particular venture a toy manufactory has just been 
started at Reading, and from this a great number of the 
supplies will come. Every good idea is welcomed in the 
region of toyland, where the magic word " novelty " spells 
" Open Sesame," when it is such as will appeal to the rising 
generation and its critical standards. 
Gardens Trim 
Lady Catherine Milnes Gaskell is one of the many who 
are doing all they can to help our soldiers and sailors. She 
has been selling rock and herbaceous plants for the benefit of 
the sick and wounded, and a few days ago had made ;f84 by 
this means. Lady Catherine's gardens at Wenlock Abbey, 
in Shropshire, are justly famous, and of late years she has 
made a special study of rock gardens and their suitable 
planting. A rock garden, indeed, can afford many hours of 
pleasure to any reasonable individual. The collection and 
rearing of suitable rock garden plants is a hobby in itself, 
and when two rock gardeners meet they have, as a general 
rule, but one topic of conversation. A rock garden, 
indeed, is apt to become so absorbing that it grows into a 
considerable extravagance. But when we can combine our 
own besetting hobby with the most deserving of charities our 
state is indeed gracious. Erica. 
The French Government has officially recognised the Blue Cross, 
and Captain Claremont has been deputed by the French Minister of 
War to immediately instal eight base hospitals for wounded horses at 
the front. Donations immediately required. Arthur J. Coke. 
Secretary, Our Dumb Friends' League, 58 Victoria Street. London, S.W. 
«r J^Z^^f ^^''^ ^^ Leicester.— Messrs. Warner, Sheppard and 
Wade held a sale of horses at the Repository on Saturday, October 
17. Good prices were realised, the followintr being some of the 
principal : — * 
„ Gn«. 
Grey mare r.R 
Topper :. 55 
ppiiy ........■.•.•..•.■.; 40 
' licstiiut marc (cob) 49 
G119. 
DefeiKier 72 
Fortuna 61 
Badger (cob) 44 
Browu Peter 44 
5^' 
