The Ypres Times.
48
to marry three or four*girls''when the war is over, in order to receive parcels from each
of them. Most of the younger men have several distinct love affairs going on at the same
time, and there will be much heart-burning, both among wives and fiancees, when the
prisoners return to their native land.
Another distinguishing feature of the letters is a complete lack of originality and
humour. One searches in vain, almost, for an amusing personality, or an original point
of view. Of unconscious humour there is an abundance, and some specimens are worth
preserving We are getting on very well, father is dead." Netta had a beautiful
boy yesterday, and Henry an artificial leg." The second parcel containing apples, a
pen-holder and a pair of scissors, provided me with a most pleasing change of diet." "Don't
talk to me of universal peace, you who cannot get on with your own mother."
To pass to their pleasanter characteristics, one of the foremost is their passion for
anniversariesbirthdays, wedding days, festivals of the church, are of the highest im
portance.
Nearly every letter contains congratulations to one member of the family or other,
on some auspicious occasion, and it is no unusual thing for a sister to write, Father was
very much hurt that you did not remember his birthday," or for a prisoner of 44 to say,
I hope to spend my 45th birthday in the bosom of my family."
Next in prominence comes a love of nature. The budding trees, the spring flowers,
the birds' song, stir them to enthusiasm, and bring out all that is best in their characters.
Men who write letters overflowing with coarseness and self-indulgence will astonish
you by such descriptions as Once more the woods are clothing themselves in tender
green, the spring flowers are shining in the grass, the cuckco is calling the world is awak
ing to another spring, but in our hearts is winter and black despair." Or, I think of
the blossom in the orchards, of the scent of pines in the sunshine, and my heart aches
with longing for the home-land."
And last, but most important virtue of all, their industry.
How they have all worked during the Warmen, women and childrenuncomplain
ingly, devotedly. And the prisoners have studied foreign languages with a view to obtain
ing good posts after the War.
Industry seems to be their second nature, and may yet win for them that place
in the sun which the War appears to have torn from their grasp.
Many have said in different ways We Germans, with our industry and sound
judgment, will find the ways and means to establish again our position in the world. He
who works earns. He who works most industriously can most easily transfer his activi
ties to another sphere."
The nations of the world will have their work cut out if they are to compete with a
people of untiring patience and industry, coupled with overwhelming self-satisfaction and
unscrupulous ambition.
M. I. G.
A FLEMISH FARM.
From the Trenches in front of Kemmel, Sunday, April, 1918).
E'en amongst this ruin so forlorn.
There blooms the cuckoo flower and cowslip gay
A blackbird sings upon a withered thorn,
Making me wonder if there was a day
When life indeed was sweet about this farm
And all was peace, and quietfree from harm.
Perhaps among these meads a Flemish pair
Have wandered in those days of long ago,
And hand in hand on such a morning fair,
Have loved and laughed just where this stream
runs slow
And each have thought this very place to be
The dearest one on earth. I'm very glad
They cannot know just all it means to me,
Or see their ruined home so strangely sad.
E. C. Pattison.
