T
hrough the whole night the battle still raged furiously. The enemy fought on with reckless, unparalleled daring. Chasseurs and Zouaves, Cuirassiers, Dragoons, and infantry from the Loire and the Rhone struggled desperately, contesting every step, and confident of ultimate victory.
But the enemy had at last, by the splendid tactics of the defenders, been forced into a gradually contracting square, bounded by Dorking and Guildford in the north, and Horsham and Billinghurst in the south, and soon after midnight, with a concentric movement from each of the four corners, British Regulars and Volunteers advanced steadily upon the foe, surrounding and slaughtering them.
The horrors of that night were frightful; the loss of life on every hand enormous. Britannia had husbanded her full strength until this critical moment; for now, when the fate of her Empire hung upon a single thread, she sent forth her valiant sons, who fell upon those who had desecrated and destroyed their homes, and wreaked a terrible vengeance.
Through the dark, sultry hours this awful destruction of life continued with unabated fury, and many a Briton closed with his foe in death embrace, or fell forward mortally wounded. Of British heroes there were many that night, for true pluck showed itself everywhere, and Englishmen performedmany deeds worthy their traditions as the most courageous and undaunted among nations.
BRITISH BLUEJACKETS MARCHING THROUGH THE STRAND AFTER THE VICTORY.BRITISH BLUEJACKETS MARCHING THROUGH THE STRAND AFTER THE VICTORY.
Although the French Commander-in-chief had been killed, yet the enemy still fought on tenaciously, holding their ground on Leith Hill and through Pasture Wood to Wotton and Abinger, until at length, when the saffron streak in the sky heralded another blazing day, the straggling, exhausted remnant of the once-powerful legions of France and Russia, perspiring, dust-covered, and bloodstained, finding they stood alone, and that the whole of Sussex and Surrey had been swept and their comrades slaughtered, laid down their arms and eventually surrendered.
After these three breathless days of butchery and bloodshed England was at last victorious!
In this final struggle for Britain's freedom the invader had been crushed and his power broken; for, thanks to our gallant citizen soldiers, the enemy that had for weeks overrun our smiling land like packs of hungry wolves, wantonly burning our homes and massacring the innocent and unprotected, had at length met with their well-merited deserts, and now lay spread over the miles of pastures, cornfields, and forests, stark, cold, and dead.
Britain had at last vanquished the two powerful nations that had sought by ingenious conspiracy to accomplish her downfall.
Thousands of her brave sons had, alas! fallen while fighting under the British flag. Many of the principal streets of her gigantic capital were only parallel lines of gaunt, blackened ruins, and many of her finest cities lay wrecked, shattered, and desolate; yet this terrible ordeal had happily not weakened her power one iota, nor had she been ousted from her proud position as chief among the mighty Empires of the world.
Three days after the great and decisive battle of Caterham, the British troops, with their compatriots from the Cape, Australia, Canada, and India, entered London triumphantly, bringing with them some thousands of French and Russian prisoners. In the streets, as, ragged and dusty, Britain'sdefenders passed through on their way to a great Open-Air Thanksgiving Service in Hyde Park, there were scenes of the wildest enthusiasm. With heartfelt gratitude, the people, scrambling over the débris heaped each side of the streets, cheered themselves hoarse; the men grasping the hands of Volunteers and veterans, and the women, weeping for joy, raising the soldiers' hands to their lips. The glad tidings of victory caused rejoicings everywhere. England, feeling herself free, breathed again. In every church and chapel through the United Kingdom special Services of Thanksgiving for deliverance from the invaders' thrall were held, while in every town popular fêtes were organised, and delighted Britons gaily celebrated their magnificent and overwhelming triumph.
In this disastrous struggle between nations France had suffered frightfully. Paris, bombarded and burning, capitulated on the day following the battle of Caterham, and the legions of the Kaiser marched up the Boulevards with their brilliant cavalry uniforms flashing in the sun. Over the Hotel de Ville, the Government buildings on the Quai d'Orsay, and the Ministries of War and Marine, the German flag was hoisted, and waved lazily in the autumn breeze, while the Emperor William himself had an interview with the French President at the Elysée.
That evening all France knew that Paris had fallen. In a few days England was already shipping back to Dieppe and Riga her prisoners of war, and negotiations for peace had commenced. As security against any further attempts on England, Italian troops were occupying the whole of Southern France from Grenoble to Bordeaux; and the Germans, in addition to occupying Paris, had established their headquarters in Moghilev, and driven back the Army of the Tsar far beyond the Dnieper.
From both France and Russia, Germany demanded huge indemnities, as well as a large tract of territory in Poland, and the whole of the vast Champagne country from Givet, on the Belgian frontier, down to the Sâone.
Ten days later France was forced to accept the preliminaries of a treaty which we proposed. This included thecession to us of Algiers, with its docks and harbour, so that we might establish another naval station in the Mediterranean, and the payment of an indemnity of £250,000,000. Our demands upon Russia at the same time were that she should withdraw all her troops from Bokhara, and should cede to us the whole of that portion of the Trans-Caspian territory lying between the mouths of the Oxus and Kizil Arvat, thence along the Persian frontier to Zulfikai, along the Afghan frontier to Karki, and from there up the bank of the Oxus to the Aral Sea. This vast area of land included the cities of Khiva and Merv, the many towns around Kara Khum, the country of the Kara Turkomans, the Tekeh and the Yomuts, and the annexation of it by Britain would effectually prevent the Russians ever advancing upon India.
Upon these huge demands, in addition to the smaller ones by Italy and Austria, a Peace Conference was opened at Brussels without delay, and at length France and her Muscovite ally, both vanquished and ruined, were compelled to accept the proposals of Britain and Germany.
Hence, on November 16th, 1897, the Treaty of Peace was signed, and eight days later was ratified. Then the huge forces of the Kaiser gradually withdrew into Germany, and the soldiers of King Humbert recrossed the Alps, while we shipped back the remainder of our prisoners, reopened our trade routes, and commenced rebuilding our shattered cities.
A
raw, cold December morning in London. With the exception of a statuesque sentry on the Horse Guards' Parade, the wide open space was deserted. It had not long been light, and a heavy yellow mist still hung over the grass in St. James's Park.
A bell clanged mournfully. Big Ben chimed the hour, and then boomed forth eight o'clock. An icy wind swept across the gravelled square. The bare, black branches of the stunted trees creaked and groaned, and the lonely sentry standing at ease before his box rubbed his hands and shivered.
Suddenly a side door opened, and there emerged a small procession. Slowly there walked in front a clergyman bare-headed, reciting with solemn intonation the Burial Service. Behind him, with unsteady step and bent shoulders, a trembling man with blanched, haggard face, and a wild look of terror in his dark, deep-sunken eyes. He wore a shabby morning-coat tightly buttoned, and his hands in bracelets of steel were behind his back.
Glancing furtively around at the grey dismal landscape, he shuddered. Beside and behind him soldiers tramped on in silence.
The officer's sword grated along the gravel.
Suddenly a word of command caused them to halt against a wall, and a sergeant, stepping forward, took a handkerchief and tied it over the eyes of the quivering culprit, who now stood with his back against the wall. Another word from theofficer, and the party receded some distance, leaving the man alone. The monotonous nasal utterances of the chaplain still sounded as four privates advanced, and, halting, stood in single rank before the prisoner.
EXECUTION OF VON BEILSTEIN ON THE HORSE GUARDS' PARADE.EXECUTION OF VON BEILSTEIN ON THE HORSE GUARDS' PARADE.
They raised their rifles. There was a momentary pause. In the distance a dog howled dismally.
A sharp word of command broke the quiet.
Then, a second later, as four rifles rang out simultaneously, the condemned man tottered forward and fell heavily on the gravel, shot through the heart.
It was the spy and murderer, Karl von Beilstein!
He had been brought from Glasgow to London in order that certain information might be elicited from him, and after his actions had been thoroughly investigated by a military court, he had been sentenced to death. The whole of his past was revealed by his valet Grevel, and it was proved that, in addition to bringing the great disaster upon England, he had also betrayed the country whose roubles purchased his cunningly-obtained secrets.
Geoffrey Engleheart, although gallantly assisting in the fight outside Leatherhead, and subsequently showing conspicuous bravery during the Battle of Caterham, fortunately escaped with nothing more severe than a bullet wound in the arm. During the searching private inquiry held at the Foreign Office after peace was restored, he explained the whole of the circumstances, and was severely reprimanded for his indiscretion; but as no suspicion of von Beilstein's real motive had been aroused prior to the Declaration of War, and as it was proved that Geoffrey was entirely innocent of any complicity in the affair, he was, at the urgent request of Lord Stanbury, allowed to resume his duties. Shortly afterwards he was married to Violet Vayne, and Sir Joseph, having recovered those of his ships that had been seized by the Russian Government, was thereby enabled to give his daughter a handsome dowry.
The young French clerk who had been engaged at the Admiralty, and who had committed murder for gold, escapedto Spain, and, after being hunted by English and Spanish detectives for many weeks, he became apparently overwhelmed by remorse. Not daring to show himself by day, nor to claim the money that had been promised him, he had tramped on through the snow from village to village in the unfrequented valleys of Lerida, while his description was being circulated throughout the Continent. Cold, weary, and hungry, he one night entered the Posada de las Pijorras at the little town of Oliana, at the foot of the Sierra del Cadi. Calling for wine, he took up a dirty crumpled copy of the MadridGlobo, three days old. A paragraph, headed "The Missing Spy," caught his eyes, and, reading eagerly, he found to his dismay that the police were aware that he had been in Huesca a week before, and were now using bloodhounds to track him!
The paper fell from his nerveless grasp. The wine at his elbow he swallowed at one gulp, and, tossing down his last real upon the table, he rose and stumbled away blindly into the darkness.
When the wintry dawn spread in that silent, distant valley, it showed a corpse lying in the snow with face upturned. In the white wrinkled brow was a small dark-blue hole from which blood had oozed over the pallid cheek, leaving an ugly stain. The staring eyes were wide open, with a look of unutterable horror in them, and beside the thin clenched hand lay a revolver, one chamber of which had been discharged!
The dreary gloom of winter passed, and there dawned a new era of prosperity for England.
Dark days were succeeded by a period of happiness and rejoicing, and Britannia, grasping her trident again, seated herself on her shield beside the sea, Ruler of the Waves, Queen of Nations, and Empress of the World.
THE END.MORRISON AND GIBB, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH.
Ready shortly, price 6s.Demy 8vo, handsomely bound in cloth gilt.
A ROMANCE OF THE HAREM AND THE DESERT.By WILLIAM LE QUEUX, F.R.G.S.,AUTHOR OF "THE GREAT WAR IN 1897."PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED BY H. PIFFARD.
Ready shortly, price 6s.THE TOWER ROMANCE LIBRARY. VOL. I.
A NEW MODERN NOVEL OF TO-DAY.By G. RAYLEIGH VICARS and EDITH VICARS.
Ready shortly, price 6s.VOL. II.
By MRS. HENRY WYLDE.
Ready shortly.Demy 8vo, handsomely bound in cloth, price 6s.With numerous Illustrations by E. S. Hope.
By GEORGE GRIFFITH,AUTHOR OF "THE ANGEL OF THE REVOLUTION," "OLGA ROMANOFF," ETC.
Now ready. Picture Cover. Price 1s.
A POLITICAL DREAM.By GEOFFREY DANYERS.A Vision of the Reunited Anglo-Saxondom asserting the Dominion of the Sea.
Now ready. Eleventh Edition. Price 6s.
ByWILLIAM LE QUEUX, F.R.G.S.With Numerous Illustrations by T. S. Crowther and Captain C. Field, and Nine Military Maps.
The Opinions of some Great Authorities.
The Duke of Cambridge, writing to the Author, says: "Such books cannot fail to have a good effect in inducing people to think more seriously of the necessity which lies upon the whole country to always be prepared, and to be more openhanded in giving money for the means of defence."Field Marshal Lord Wolseleysays: "A pleasure to peruse it."The Marquis of Salisburysays: "It is very realistic and interesting."Lord George Hamiltonsays: "It is very striking and original."Sir C. Dilkesays: "I think it is most valuable as tending to make people realise how little we are prepared for war."
The Duke of Cambridge, writing to the Author, says: "Such books cannot fail to have a good effect in inducing people to think more seriously of the necessity which lies upon the whole country to always be prepared, and to be more openhanded in giving money for the means of defence."
Field Marshal Lord Wolseleysays: "A pleasure to peruse it."
The Marquis of Salisburysays: "It is very realistic and interesting."
Lord George Hamiltonsays: "It is very striking and original."
Sir C. Dilkesays: "I think it is most valuable as tending to make people realise how little we are prepared for war."
Opinions of the London Press.
The Timessays: "Everything that can spice a sensational volume."The Morning Postsays: "Few works can compare in stirring incidents or careful elaboration of detail.... A great deal of what he forecasts would be very likely to occur if once England were in the clutches of a strong enemy, and in the matter of description wherein the tumult and carnage is brought vividly before the reader.... A clever and exciting book."The Standardsays: "Full of excitement and realism."The Globesays: "It is vigorous and rousing.... Will do a public service."The Sunsays: "Mr. Le Queux' narrative is well and spiritedly written."The Evening Newssays: "Mr. Le Queux has succeeded in a very difficult task. He has brought home to us the dangers we expose ourselves if we neglect to maintain our Army and Navy in an adequate state of efficiency."The Daily Graphicsays: "Various essays have been made to forecast the next great European war, but Mr. William Le Queux' volume is certainly the most comprehensive and thrilling of anything yet attempted. Regarded simply as a work of fiction, it is exciting enough to satisfy the most enthusiastic lover of 'blood and thunder' literature. In its more serious aspect—and it is this aspect, of course, which the author desires for it—this book certainly evidences serious thought.... It is all very graphic and very thrilling, especially the bombardment of London by the Russians, and the author has not scrupled to avail himself of the latest, even of the future, resources of science."Naval and Military Recordsays: "Mr. Le Queux has special qualifications for the task. He knows a great deal of our Army and Navy, and he is familiar with continental systems and sentiment. The narrative is lively and spirited, and the author writes with an air of conviction which is calculated to carry the reader on from beginning to end."Admiralty and Horse Guards Gazettesays: "Mr. Le Queux is a vivid writer, and his work gives evidence of care and thoroughness. The chapter dealing with the march of the French on London is particularly fine. The author's production is the best of the kind we have come across for some time. It should emphasise our old contention as to the unreadiness for active service on a prolonged campaign of the sea and land forces of the Empire."Army and Navy Gazettesays: "The story is a capital one, full of interest and incident, well sustained and well told."The Idlersays: "Mr. Le Queux writes brilliantly, sensibly, and with a thorough mastery of his subject."The Sketchsays: "No novel of the day comes up to Mr. Le Queux' 'Great War in England in 1897' for excitement. From the preface to the last paragraph he has kept up his prophetic heroics in magnificent style, and if his patriotism does not scatter our indifference to our insular defences, why, then, nothing will. It is really a terrifying book. Mr. Le Queux has power to shake one's nerves as he foretells fights and slaughters in peaceful suburbs."The Worldsays: "It serves to bring home in a very realistic fashion the horrors of a war brought into our very midst."To-Daysays: "A mastery of military and naval details is displayed with conception and execution."The Review of Reviewssays: "The story is useful as a warning, and is worked out with much knowledge."The Gentlewomansays: "Once having started, I couldn't lay it down till I had made an end thereto."The Literary Worldsays: "It is undoubtedly one of the books of the year. It is so ingenious and so exciting, it is at once extremely technical and extremely readable. The book is a great book, and one that no Englishman could read without a thrill."The Publishers' Circularsays: "Mr. Le Queux shows us what will happen if we do not better prepare ourselves."
The Timessays: "Everything that can spice a sensational volume."
The Morning Postsays: "Few works can compare in stirring incidents or careful elaboration of detail.... A great deal of what he forecasts would be very likely to occur if once England were in the clutches of a strong enemy, and in the matter of description wherein the tumult and carnage is brought vividly before the reader.... A clever and exciting book."
The Standardsays: "Full of excitement and realism."
The Globesays: "It is vigorous and rousing.... Will do a public service."
The Sunsays: "Mr. Le Queux' narrative is well and spiritedly written."
The Evening Newssays: "Mr. Le Queux has succeeded in a very difficult task. He has brought home to us the dangers we expose ourselves if we neglect to maintain our Army and Navy in an adequate state of efficiency."
The Daily Graphicsays: "Various essays have been made to forecast the next great European war, but Mr. William Le Queux' volume is certainly the most comprehensive and thrilling of anything yet attempted. Regarded simply as a work of fiction, it is exciting enough to satisfy the most enthusiastic lover of 'blood and thunder' literature. In its more serious aspect—and it is this aspect, of course, which the author desires for it—this book certainly evidences serious thought.... It is all very graphic and very thrilling, especially the bombardment of London by the Russians, and the author has not scrupled to avail himself of the latest, even of the future, resources of science."
Naval and Military Recordsays: "Mr. Le Queux has special qualifications for the task. He knows a great deal of our Army and Navy, and he is familiar with continental systems and sentiment. The narrative is lively and spirited, and the author writes with an air of conviction which is calculated to carry the reader on from beginning to end."
Admiralty and Horse Guards Gazettesays: "Mr. Le Queux is a vivid writer, and his work gives evidence of care and thoroughness. The chapter dealing with the march of the French on London is particularly fine. The author's production is the best of the kind we have come across for some time. It should emphasise our old contention as to the unreadiness for active service on a prolonged campaign of the sea and land forces of the Empire."
Army and Navy Gazettesays: "The story is a capital one, full of interest and incident, well sustained and well told."
The Idlersays: "Mr. Le Queux writes brilliantly, sensibly, and with a thorough mastery of his subject."
The Sketchsays: "No novel of the day comes up to Mr. Le Queux' 'Great War in England in 1897' for excitement. From the preface to the last paragraph he has kept up his prophetic heroics in magnificent style, and if his patriotism does not scatter our indifference to our insular defences, why, then, nothing will. It is really a terrifying book. Mr. Le Queux has power to shake one's nerves as he foretells fights and slaughters in peaceful suburbs."
The Worldsays: "It serves to bring home in a very realistic fashion the horrors of a war brought into our very midst."
To-Daysays: "A mastery of military and naval details is displayed with conception and execution."
The Review of Reviewssays: "The story is useful as a warning, and is worked out with much knowledge."
The Gentlewomansays: "Once having started, I couldn't lay it down till I had made an end thereto."
The Literary Worldsays: "It is undoubtedly one of the books of the year. It is so ingenious and so exciting, it is at once extremely technical and extremely readable. The book is a great book, and one that no Englishman could read without a thrill."
The Publishers' Circularsays: "Mr. Le Queux shows us what will happen if we do not better prepare ourselves."
Read what the Country Press say.
Manchester Evening Newssays: "Lovers of exciting literature will be satisfied to the full with the graphic story."Liverpool Daily Mercurysays: "Extremely interesting, and well worth reading."Liverpool Daily Chroniclesays:—"The story is full of stirring episode."Birmingham Daily Postsays: "The scenes are marked with real and affecting power."Sheffield Daily Telegraphsays: "We offer criticism in no carping spirit, but as part of our grateful acknowledgment for a brilliant, patriotic, and useful work."Yorkshire Postsays: "Well calculated to make the nervous tremble at every rumour of foreign complications."The Scotsmansays: "Strategical and other problems are elaborately worked out.... Amusing, entertaining, and exciting."The North British Mailsays: "It is a very powerful work."Glasgow Heraldsays: "One of the best books we have read on a subject on which it is only too easy to be tiresome."Glasgow Evening Newssays: "Whether as a romance or as a prophecy it is highly interesting."The Western Morning Newssays: "Very exciting reading. Of real literary merit."Bradford Daily Argussays: "Full of interesting and exciting reading."
Manchester Evening Newssays: "Lovers of exciting literature will be satisfied to the full with the graphic story."
Liverpool Daily Mercurysays: "Extremely interesting, and well worth reading."
Liverpool Daily Chroniclesays:—"The story is full of stirring episode."
Birmingham Daily Postsays: "The scenes are marked with real and affecting power."
Sheffield Daily Telegraphsays: "We offer criticism in no carping spirit, but as part of our grateful acknowledgment for a brilliant, patriotic, and useful work."
Yorkshire Postsays: "Well calculated to make the nervous tremble at every rumour of foreign complications."
The Scotsmansays: "Strategical and other problems are elaborately worked out.... Amusing, entertaining, and exciting."
The North British Mailsays: "It is a very powerful work."
Glasgow Heraldsays: "One of the best books we have read on a subject on which it is only too easy to be tiresome."
Glasgow Evening Newssays: "Whether as a romance or as a prophecy it is highly interesting."
The Western Morning Newssays: "Very exciting reading. Of real literary merit."
Bradford Daily Argussays: "Full of interesting and exciting reading."
Read what the Foreign and Colonial Press say.
Sydney Daily Telegraphsays: "The writer's capability to speak regarding his subject is displayed on every page of the book. It is splendidly written."The Belgian Newssays: "The book is a remarkable and a phenomenal success."ThePalladium(Newhaven, Conn.) says: "One of the most successful books of the season.""Il Capitano Nemo," the well-known Italian naval writer, inL'Opinioneof Rome, says that the problems put forward by Mr. Le Queux should secure the serious consideration of European Governments. "It is unquestionably a most important book," he says; "it is of interest to everyone, and the minuteness of its detail is astonishing. I can recommend it to the Italian public as a very startling yet highly instructive book."The Italia Marinarasays: "It is not a mere fantastic romance; it is a book to study seriously, and we recommend it to the Army and Navy of Italy, for it contains many valuable hints."Il Secolosays: "A very remarkable and important work. There is genius in every line. The descriptions are most realistic, and it is of interest to everybody."The China Telegraphsays it is "of really intense and thrilling interest."
Sydney Daily Telegraphsays: "The writer's capability to speak regarding his subject is displayed on every page of the book. It is splendidly written."
The Belgian Newssays: "The book is a remarkable and a phenomenal success."
ThePalladium(Newhaven, Conn.) says: "One of the most successful books of the season."
"Il Capitano Nemo," the well-known Italian naval writer, inL'Opinioneof Rome, says that the problems put forward by Mr. Le Queux should secure the serious consideration of European Governments. "It is unquestionably a most important book," he says; "it is of interest to everyone, and the minuteness of its detail is astonishing. I can recommend it to the Italian public as a very startling yet highly instructive book."
The Italia Marinarasays: "It is not a mere fantastic romance; it is a book to study seriously, and we recommend it to the Army and Navy of Italy, for it contains many valuable hints."
Il Secolosays: "A very remarkable and important work. There is genius in every line. The descriptions are most realistic, and it is of interest to everybody."
The China Telegraphsays it is "of really intense and thrilling interest."
Now ready. Sixth Edition. Price 6s.Demy 8vo, handsomely bound in cloth gilt.
A TALE OF TO-MORROW.By W. LAIRD CLOWES,U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE.With 60 Illustrations by the Chevalier de Martino and Fred. T. Jane.
This work has been truly described by the public press as an intensely realistic and stirring romance of the near future. It describes the wonderful adventures of an armour-clad cruiser, built on the Tyne, which takes part in a great Naval War that suddenly breaks out between France and Great Britain. The dashing way in which the vessel is handled, her narrow escapes, the boldness of her successful attacks upon the enemy, and the heroic conduct of her commander and crew, form altogether a narrative of most absorbing interest, and full of exciting scenes and situations.
THE FOLLOWING ARE A FEW PRESS OPINIONS.
"Deserves something more than a mere passing notice."—The Times."Full of exciting situations.... Has manifold attractions for all sorts of readers."—Army and Navy Gazette."The most notable book of the season."—The Standard."A clever book. Mr. Clowes is pre-eminent for literary touch and practical knowledge of naval affairs."—Daily Chronicle."Mr. W. Laird Clowes' exciting story."—Daily Telegraph."We read 'The Captain of the Mary Rose' at a sitting."—The Pall Mall Gazette."Written with no little spirit and imagination.... A stirring romance of the future."—Manchester Guardian."Is of a realistic and exciting character.... Designed to show what the naval warfare of the future may be."—Glasgow Herald."One of the most interesting volumes of the year."—Liverpool Journal of Commerce."It is well told and magnificently illustrated."—United Service Magazine."Full of absorbing interest."—Engineers Gazette."Is intensely realistic, so much so that after commencing the story every one will be anxious to read to the end."—Dundee Advertiser."The book is splendidly illustrated."—Northern Whig.
"Deserves something more than a mere passing notice."—The Times.
"Full of exciting situations.... Has manifold attractions for all sorts of readers."—Army and Navy Gazette.
"The most notable book of the season."—The Standard.
"A clever book. Mr. Clowes is pre-eminent for literary touch and practical knowledge of naval affairs."—Daily Chronicle.
"Mr. W. Laird Clowes' exciting story."—Daily Telegraph.
"We read 'The Captain of the Mary Rose' at a sitting."—The Pall Mall Gazette.
"Written with no little spirit and imagination.... A stirring romance of the future."—Manchester Guardian.
"Is of a realistic and exciting character.... Designed to show what the naval warfare of the future may be."—Glasgow Herald.
"One of the most interesting volumes of the year."—Liverpool Journal of Commerce.
"It is well told and magnificently illustrated."—United Service Magazine.
"Full of absorbing interest."—Engineers Gazette.
"Is intensely realistic, so much so that after commencing the story every one will be anxious to read to the end."—Dundee Advertiser.
"The book is splendidly illustrated."—Northern Whig.
Ninth Edition, Price 6s.Demy 8vo, handsomely bound in cloth gilt.Uniform with "The Captain of the Mary Rose," with numerous Illustrations by Fred T. Jane and Edwin S. Hope.
A TALE OF THE COMING TERROR.By GEORGE GRIFFITH.
In this Romance of Love, War, and Revolution, the action takes place ten years hence, and turns upon the solution of the problem of aerial navigation, which enables a vast Secret Society to decide the issue of the coming world-war, for which the great nations of the earth are now preparing. Battles such as have hitherto only been vaguely dreamed of are fought on land and sea and in the air. Aerial navies engage armies and fleets and fortresses, and fight with each other in an unsparing warfare, which has for its prize the empire of the world. Unlike all other essays in prophetic fiction, it deals with the events of to-morrow, and with characters familiar in the eyes of living men. It marks an entirely new departure in fiction, and opens up possibilities which may become stupendous and appalling realities before the present generation of men has passed away.
A FEW PRESS OPINIONS.
"Since the days of the Arabian Nights' Entertainments, we know of no writer who 'takes the cake' like Mr. George Griffith."—Daily Chronicle."A really exciting and sensational romance."—Literary World."As a work of imagination it takes high rank."—Belfast News Letter."Full of absorbing interest."—Barrow Herald."This powerful story."—Liverpool Mercury."An entirely new departure in fiction."—Reynolds' Newspaper."Of exceptional brilliancy and power."—Western Figaro."This remarkable story."—Weekly Times and Echo."There is a fascination about his book that few will be able to resist."—Birmingham Gazette."This exciting romance."—Licensing World."A work of strong imaginative power."—Dundee Courier."We must congratulate the author upon the vividness and reality with which he draws his unprecedented pictures."—Bristol Mercury."Is quite enthralling."—Glasgow Herald."A striking and fascinating novel."—Hampshire Telegraph.
"Since the days of the Arabian Nights' Entertainments, we know of no writer who 'takes the cake' like Mr. George Griffith."—Daily Chronicle.
"A really exciting and sensational romance."—Literary World.
"As a work of imagination it takes high rank."—Belfast News Letter.
"Full of absorbing interest."—Barrow Herald.
"This powerful story."—Liverpool Mercury.
"An entirely new departure in fiction."—Reynolds' Newspaper.
"Of exceptional brilliancy and power."—Western Figaro.
"This remarkable story."—Weekly Times and Echo.
"There is a fascination about his book that few will be able to resist."—Birmingham Gazette.
"This exciting romance."—Licensing World.
"A work of strong imaginative power."—Dundee Courier.
"We must congratulate the author upon the vividness and reality with which he draws his unprecedented pictures."—Bristol Mercury.
"Is quite enthralling."—Glasgow Herald.
"A striking and fascinating novel."—Hampshire Telegraph.
Demy 8vo, handsomely bound in cloth, price 6s.With Frontispiece by Edwin S. Hope.
Or, The Syren of the Skies.By GEORGE GRIFFITH,AUTHOR OF "THE ANGEL OF THE REVOLUTION," "THE OUTLAWS OF THE AIR."
Dedicated to Mr. HIRAM S. MAXIM.
A sequel to the author's striking and successful romance.The Angel of the Revolution, describing the efforts of a beautiful daughter of the House of Romanoff to restore the throne of her ancestors destroyed in the World-War of 1904, and presenting to the reader the spectacle of a world transformed into a wonderland of art and science, yet trembling on the brink of a catastrophe, in comparison with which even the tremendous climax ofThe Angelsinks almost into insignificance.
SOME PRESS OPINIONS.
"Mr. George Griffith has made himself a high reputation as an imaginative novelist by his brilliant romances,The Angel of the RevolutionandThe Syren of the Skies."—Sketch."This is quite as imaginative, as clever, and as enthralling a book as its predecessor."—Glasgow Herald."The book is a wild one, but its wildness and imaginative boldness make it uncommonly interesting."—Scotsman."The flights of fancy and imagination displayed by the author show a most marvellous power and conception."—Aberdeen Free Press."An entrancing book."—Birmingham Post."Full of originality in its rendition.... A marvel of imaginative strength and picturesque pen painting."—European Mail."On the whole Mr. Griffith has published a work which to our mind is the most suggestive of its kind that has been published for many years."—Admiralty and Horse Guards Gazette."The work hardly lends itself to critical remark other than the expression of one's appreciation of an imaginative and glowing style likely to add to the pleasure of those who enjoy purely speculative fiction. These pictures have a weird splendour in keeping with the theme, but it is natural to desire a better future for the human race than the one here prophesied."—Morning Post."His theme is a more tremendous one, and the incidents of his story tenfold more terrible than even those awful battles in the former volume. There is the same swift succession of awful calamities, the same sustained interest from title page to cover, and the same thread of human love running through the narrative which lent its chief charm to the 'Angel of the Revolution.'"—Weekly Times and Echo."By lovers of sensational writing, in which the scientific discoveries of the future are forecast, and intrigue and warfare related in realistic manner under conditions which now exist but in prophetic imagination, it will be warmly welcomed.... The book must be read to be appreciated. Description is impossible."—Bradford Daily Argus.
"Mr. George Griffith has made himself a high reputation as an imaginative novelist by his brilliant romances,The Angel of the RevolutionandThe Syren of the Skies."—Sketch.
"This is quite as imaginative, as clever, and as enthralling a book as its predecessor."—Glasgow Herald.
"The book is a wild one, but its wildness and imaginative boldness make it uncommonly interesting."—Scotsman.
"The flights of fancy and imagination displayed by the author show a most marvellous power and conception."—Aberdeen Free Press.
"An entrancing book."—Birmingham Post.
"Full of originality in its rendition.... A marvel of imaginative strength and picturesque pen painting."—European Mail.
"On the whole Mr. Griffith has published a work which to our mind is the most suggestive of its kind that has been published for many years."—Admiralty and Horse Guards Gazette.
"The work hardly lends itself to critical remark other than the expression of one's appreciation of an imaginative and glowing style likely to add to the pleasure of those who enjoy purely speculative fiction. These pictures have a weird splendour in keeping with the theme, but it is natural to desire a better future for the human race than the one here prophesied."—Morning Post.
"His theme is a more tremendous one, and the incidents of his story tenfold more terrible than even those awful battles in the former volume. There is the same swift succession of awful calamities, the same sustained interest from title page to cover, and the same thread of human love running through the narrative which lent its chief charm to the 'Angel of the Revolution.'"—Weekly Times and Echo.
"By lovers of sensational writing, in which the scientific discoveries of the future are forecast, and intrigue and warfare related in realistic manner under conditions which now exist but in prophetic imagination, it will be warmly welcomed.... The book must be read to be appreciated. Description is impossible."—Bradford Daily Argus.
Transcriber's Notes:Obvious punctuation errors repaired.Click on the drawings and maps to see high-resolution images.Hyphens removed: muzzle[-]loaders (p. 127), look[-]out (p. 164), short[-]sightedness (p. 176), blood[-]stained (p. 325).p. 67: "Termius" changed to "Terminus" (over the débris in Terminus Road).p. 72: "Halsted" changed to "Halstead" (Surrey to Halstead in Kent).p. 92: "crusier" changed to "cruiser" (the unarmoured cruiserFaucon).p. 119: "thousand" changed to "thousands" (thousands fleeing into the country).p. 159: "fusilade" changed to "fusillade" (commenced a terrific fusillade).p. 160: "momemt" changed to "moment" (Our situation at that moment).p. 240: "Hundred" changed to "Hundreds" (Hundreds of tons).p. 257: "evacute" changed to "evacuate" (to evacuate Edinburgh).p. 316: "detatched" changed to "detached" (came upon a detached post).
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
Click on the drawings and maps to see high-resolution images.
Hyphens removed: muzzle[-]loaders (p. 127), look[-]out (p. 164), short[-]sightedness (p. 176), blood[-]stained (p. 325).
p. 67: "Termius" changed to "Terminus" (over the débris in Terminus Road).
p. 72: "Halsted" changed to "Halstead" (Surrey to Halstead in Kent).
p. 92: "crusier" changed to "cruiser" (the unarmoured cruiserFaucon).
p. 119: "thousand" changed to "thousands" (thousands fleeing into the country).
p. 159: "fusilade" changed to "fusillade" (commenced a terrific fusillade).
p. 160: "momemt" changed to "moment" (Our situation at that moment).
p. 240: "Hundred" changed to "Hundreds" (Hundreds of tons).
p. 257: "evacute" changed to "evacuate" (to evacuate Edinburgh).
p. 316: "detatched" changed to "detached" (came upon a detached post).