Letters from Mesopotamia in 1915 and January, 1916 Part 9

Even the heart-breaking casualties, reaching us five weeks old, have nothing like the stab they have in England.

Life here requires a Jane Austen to record it. Our interests are focussed on the most ridiculous subjects. Recently they took an ecclesiastical turn, which I think should be reported to you. The station was left "spiritually" in charge of a Y.M.C.A. deacon for a fortnight: and discussion waxed hot in the Mess as to what a Deacon was. The prevailing opinion was that he "was in the Church," but not "consecrated"; so far Lay instinct was sound, if a little vague. Then our Scotch Quartermaster laid it down that a Deacon was as good as a Parson in that he could wear a surplice, but inferior to a parson in that he couldn't marry you. But the crux which had most practical interest for us was whether he could bury us. It was finally decided that he could: but fortunately in actual fact his functions were confined to organising a football tournament and exhibiting a cinema film.

He was succeeded by a priest from the notorious diocese of Bombay: who proceeded to s.h.i.+ft the table which does duty for altar to the E. side of the R.A.T.A. room and furnish the neighbourhood of it into a faint resemblance to a Church. But what has roused most speculation is the "green thing he wears over his surplice for the early service and takes off before Parade service." I suggested that it was a precaution against these chilly mornings.

Gibbon has more to say about these parts than I thought: and I find he alludes to them off and on right down to 1453, so if you haven't been able to find a suitable book, I can carry on with that philosopher's epitome.

A large draft has just reached us from India, 11 officers and 319 men. They are partly returned invalids, but mainly 2/4th from Quetta.

We shall now be a fairly respectable strength.

Cold weather conditions are almost established now. It is only over 80 for a few hours each day, and between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. I wear a greatcoat. A senior captain having arrived with the draft has taken over "A" Coy. and I remain as second in command. There is singularly little to do at present--about one hour per day.

I wonder if you know any of the officers in this push. There is Chitty of Balliol, a contemporary of Luly's: and one Elton among the newly-joined, said to be a double first.

They have made me censor of civil telegrams.

I see no prospect of peace for a year yet, and not much of our leaving this country till well after peace. I used to think I wasn't easily bored: but it is hard to keep a fresh and lively interest in this flattest and emptiest of countries.

_P.S. Tuesday_.--The mail is in for once before the outward mail goes, and it brings yours of 1.10.15. What you report about Charles Lister is exactly what I should have expected. It is an element in all the best lives that their owners are reckless about throwing them away; but it's a little consolation to know that he didn't succeed exactly.

Most of my new letters are rather gloomy about the French offensive.

We used gas and we're held up: and we're being diddled all round by kings in the Balkans.

Elton, by the way, was up at Balliol, a scholar 1911--and knows you, though whether individually or collectively I know not.

Also one Pirie of Exeter has come with the draft.

AMARAH.

_November_ 4, 1915.

TO L.R.

I enclose an extract from a speech which might have been made by you, but was made by--who do you think? Our modern St. David.

I read Oliver's _Ordeal by Battle_ before I left Agra. Most of my relations sent me a copy. So far only one has sent me A.J.B.'s _Theism and Humanism_: books are always welcome: but as their ultimate fate is very uncertain, it is wiser to stick to cheap ones.

I think the idea of R---- on an Economy League is too delicious. I should so like to hear the details of their economies.

I hope you have noticed the correspondence in The _Times_ on Wild Birds and Fruit Growers, and that the latter contemplate invoking the aid of the Board of Agriculture in exterminating the former.

The birds here increase as the weather gets colder. Geese, duck and teal are to be seen flighting every day. We shot a pochard on Tuesday and a plover yesterday. Large flocks of night-herons visit the flood-lands and rooks have become common. White wagtails appeared in great numbers a few weeks ago, and sand-grouse are reported in vast numbers further north.

As there is no news, perhaps it would interest you to know, how we live in these billets.

The house is very convenient on the whole, though cold, as there is no gla.s.s in the large windows and the prevailing N.W. wind blows clean through, and there are no fire-places.

As to our mode of existence, my day is almost uniformly as follows:

6.30 _a.m._ Am called and drink 1 cup cocoa and eat 4 biscuits.

7.15 _a.m._ Get up.

7.45 _a.m._ Finished toilet and read _Times_ till breakfast.

8.0 Breakfast. Porridge, scrambled eggs, bread and jam, tea.

8.30-9.15. Read _Times_.

9.15-10.15. Parade (or more often _not_, about twice a week 1 parade).

10.15-1.0 Read and write, unless interrupted by duties.

1.0 Lunch. Cold meat, pudding, cheese and bread, lemonade.

1.30-4.0. Read and write.

4.0. Tea, bread and jam.

4.30. Censor Civil Telegrams.

4.45-6.15. Take exercise, _e.g._, walk, ride, fish, shoot, or play football.

6.15. Have a bath.

6.30-7.30. Play skat, or talk on verandah.

7.30. Mess. Soup, fish, meat, veg., pudding, savoury, beer or whisky.

8.45-10.15 Bridge.

10.15. Go to bed.

Such is the heroic existence of those who are bearing their country's burden in this remote and trying corner of the globe!

_Enclosure_.

"Meanwhile, let personal recrimination drop. It is the poison of all good counsel. In every controversy there are mean little men who a.s.sume that their own motives in taking up a line are of the most exalted and n.o.ble character, but that those who dare differ from them are animated by the basest personal aims. Such men are a small faction, but they are the mischief-makers that have many a time perverted discussion into dissension. Their aim seems to be to spread distrust and disunion amongst men whose co-operation is essential to national success. These creatures ought to be stamped out relentlessly by all parties as soon as they are seen crawling along the floor."

AMARAH.

_November_ 18, 1915.

TO L.R.

As this week is Xmas mail, I have only time to wish you every blessing and especially those of peace and goodwill which are so sadly needed now.

I am dreadfully sorry to hear that S.'s cancer is reappearing. We need more of her sort just now. I pray that she may get over it, but there is no disease which leaves less hope.

I suppose everyone is struck by the weakness of a democracy in war time as compared with an autocracy like the German. It is a complaint as old as Demosthenes. But it does not shake my faith in democracy as the best form of Government, because mere strength and efficiency is not my ideal. If a magician were to offer to change us to-morrow into a state on the German model, I shouldn't accept the offer, not even for the sake of winning the war.

AMARAH.

_November_ 23, 1915.