Methuen

“ If any single precaution was neglected, if any pains were spared in the reconnoitring of the position or in securing the proper conduct of the troops towards the place from which their attack was to be delivered, then Lord Methuen was absolutely to blame. But the more that is known about this unfortunate affair the more clearly it will be seen that Lord Methuen neglected no precaution and spared no pains. The rain and pitch darkness were the act of God, and no general in the world can prevail when Nature is so completely in league with the enemy as she was on the night of Magersfontein. ”

“ Her heart was set upon the wilderness, and on that Bishop's Lodge there, her future home; and after devouring some Australian romances, she felt that she would rather encounter one bush-ranger on his professional rounds than plough the seas with a boat-load of friendly peers.
Before reading those romances—that is, until there came the prospect of living in Australia—Miss Methuen's ideas of that continent had been very vague, very elementary, and rather funny. Her timely reading gave shape and background to her ideas, but left them funnier than ever ”

“ He and his son were both buried in Westminster Abbey. The 1st baron was succeeded in the title by his son Frederick Henry Paul Methuen (1818–1891) , and the latter by his son Paul, 3rd baron (b. 1845) , a distinguished soldier, who became a major-general in 1890, and general commanding-in-chief in South Africa in 1907. The 3rd baron joined the Scots Guards in 1864, served in the Ashanti War of 1874 and the Egyptian War of 1882, and commanded Methuen’s Horse in Bechuanaland in 1884–85, and the first division of the 1st Army Corps in the South African War of 1899–1902. ”

“ Saturday again. Lord Methuen proclaimed it through the throat of his cannon. Long Cecil—pretending to deduce from their silence that the Boers imagined it to be Sunday—was most profuse in the distribution of "compliments." But no acknowledgment came back, no error was admitted, and the day dragged itself to an end, leaving little in its train to turn one's thoughts from gloomy retrospection.
It was at this time that practical people began to express amazement at the conduct of their less practical neighbours. A new epidemic had broken out. ”

“ When Lord Methuen had moved from Boshof we had been sure that Mafeking was the goal, and I think that Lord Methuen himself had at least expected to conduct a turning movement on the Boer position at Fourteen Streams. It is easy to see now, when even Lord Roberts's strong march on Pretoria has been harassed and his communications interrupted, why such a movement of Methuen's small force could not have been successful; but we did not see it then. There was a great dearth of information, and the secret of the Flying Column was kept perfectly until within a few days of its departure. ”

“ Page 387. In the First Edition of the "Ballad of Reading Gaol" issued by Methuen I have given the original draft of the poem which was in my hands in September 1897, long before Wilde rejoined Douglas. I will send you a copy of it if you like, but it is much more likely to reach you if you order it through Putnam's in New York as they are Methuen's agents. I would like you to see it because it fortifies your opinion about Douglas' ridiculous contention; though I could explode the whole thing by Wilde's letters to myself from Berneval. Certain verses were indeed added at Naples. ”

“ I do not care to dwell on the malice and cruel unfairness of many of the attacks on Lord Methuen, because, for my country's sake, I hope they will soon be forgotten; but if anyone should still suppose that these great hysterical waves of public feeling select their victims impartially [Pg 90] , I would ask him to compare the battle of Magersfontein with the fruitless attack delivered by Lord Kitchener on the Paardeberg laager on February 18th. In one case time was working against Lord Methuen, and threatening to exhaust the endurance of Kimberley ”

“ Before we left Methuen's column we had one small night affair, which, however, did not amount to a great deal, though it has been very much exaggerated in local newspaper circles, and will, I fear, be unduly boomed in some of the Australian journals. ”

“ We remained for some days in camp, waiting for Lord Roberts to move, and fighting no more dangerous enemy than the wet and boisterous weather of young winter. Certainly Lord Methuen had a fine force there, well tried and in excellent condition, and we all hoped that he might be given a chance to do something with it. There is something at once lonely and lofty in the position of a General Officer in the field that wins one's sympathy. You see it most plainly at a full church parade such as was held on Easter Sunday, when the whole force was formed into a hollow square. Walls of living faces ”

“ Private soldiers with shattered nerves wrote home hysterical narratives and criticisms which were published and commented upon, and treated as valuable evidence. We lost our heads for the moment; there is no doubt of that; but people who are thus betrayed into panic will not be appeased until they have made a scapegoat of someone [Pg 88] . Lord Methuen was, of course, the obvious sacrifice. Why did he make a frontal attack? Why did he fail?
It is well to remember that Lord Methuen was being pressed to relieve Kimberley, which represented its case as extreme. He must do something. ”

“ Methuen herself came down in a minute or two, when she explained that the rosy woman was one Mrs. Dew, that she had come "to look after them," and would stay with them till they got a proper servant. Moreover, the kitchen-maid carried a large basket of provisions. The fires had gone out in both kitchen and dining-room, and the evening was growing chill. That kitchen-maid lit both in no time. Mr. Wycherly was brought downstairs and installed in his big chair by the dining-room fire, and Mrs. Methuen went home. ”

“ Methuen propose to issue a New Series of Translations from the Greek and Latin Classics. They have enlisted the services of some of the best Oxford and Cambridge Scholars, and it is their intention that the Series shall be distinguished by literary excellence, as well as by scholarly accuracy. ”

“ The manager of Mulfera said his horses had something else to do, and his neighbors backed him up with some discreet encouragement on their own account. It was felt that a slur would be left upon the whole district if his lordship actually met with the only sort of reception which was predicted for him on Mulfera. Bishop Methuen, however, was one of the last men on earth to shirk a plague-spot ”

“ Methuen’s books are kept in stock by all good booksellers. If there is any difficulty in seeing copies, Messrs. Methuen will be very glad to have early information, and specimen copies of any books will be sent on receipt of the published price plus postage for net books, and of the published price for ordinary books.
This Catalogue contains only a selection of the more important books published by Messrs. Methuen. A complete catalogue of their publications may be obtained on application.
Andrewes (Lancelot) . PRECES PRIVATAE. Translated and edited, with Notes, by F. E. Brightman. Cr. 8vo. 7s. ”

“ Methuen are issuing a series of elementary books under the above title. They are specially adapted to the needs of Technical Schools and Colleges, and fulfil the requirements of students preparing for the examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute. ”

“ Methuen are issuing under the above general title a Monthly Series of Novels by popular authors at the price of Sixpence. Some of these Novels have never been published before. Each number is as long as the average Six Shilling Novel. The first numbers of ‘The Novelist’ are as follows:—
I. Dead Men Tell no Tales. ”

“ Methuen’s Standard Library In Sixpenny Volumes.
The Standard Library is a new series of volumes containing the great classics of the world, and particularly the finest works of English literature. All the great masters will be represented, either in complete works or in selections. It is the ambition of the publishers to place the best books of the Anglo-Saxon race within the reach of every reader, so that the series may represent something of the diversity and splendour of our English tongue. The characteristics of The Standard Library are four:—1. Soundness of Text. ”

“ OF TRINITY COLLEGE, OXFORD; FELLOW OF PETERHOUSE, CAMBRIDGE; ST. PAUL’s SCHOOL, LONDON.
Messrs. Methuen propose to issue a new series of Classical Texts, edited by eminent scholars, for the use of English-speaking students. The books will be well printed and bound, and will be published at a very low price. The first volume of every author will contain a brief Introduction in English, not exceeding eight pages, in which the necessary information about the MSS. will be given, and the salient features of the author’s style indicated. ”

“ PUBLICATIONS In this Catalogue the order is according to authors.
Colonial Editions are published of all Messrs. Methuen’s Novels issued at a price above 4s. net, and similar editions are published of some works of General Literature. Colonial Editions are only for circulation in the British Colonies and India.
All books marked net are not subject to discount, and cannot be bought at less than the published price. Books not marked net are subject to the discount which the bookseller allows. ”

“ The outlawed Count is the most constant, desperate, and withal modest and tender of lovers, a peerless gentleman, an intrepid fighter, a very faithful friend, and a most magnanimous foe.’—Guardian.
S. Baring Gould’s Novels Crown 8vo. 6s. each.
‘To say that a book is by the author of “Mehalah” is to imply that it contains a story cast on strong lines, containing dramatic possibilities, vivid and sympathetic descriptions of Nature, and a wealth of ingenious imagery.’—Speaker.
‘That whatever Mr. Baring Gould writes is well worth reading, is a conclusion that may be very generally accepted. ”

“ Methuen (A. M. S.) . THE TRAGEDY OF SOUTH AFRICA. Cr. 8vo. 2s. net. Also Cr. 8vo. 3d. net.
A revised and enlarged edition of the author’s ‘Peace or War in South Africa.’
[13]
ENGLAND’S RUIN: Discussed in Sixteen Letters to the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P. Seventh Edition. Cr. 8vo. 3d. net.
Miles (Eustace) , M.A. LIFE AFTER LIFE, OR, THE THEORY OF REINCARNATION. Cr. 8vo. 2s. 6d. net.
Millais (J. G.) . THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF SIR JOHN EVERETT MILLAIS, President of the Royal Academy. With many Illustrations, of which 2 are in Photogravure. New Edition. Demy 8vo. 7s. 6d. net. ”

“ MODERN CIVILIZATION IN SOME OF ITS ECONOMIC ASPECTS. By W. Cunningham, D.D., Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.
THE PROBLEM OF THE UNEMPLOYED. By J. A. Hobson, B.A., Author of ‘The Problems of Poverty.’ Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d.
‘A very good book—the work of an evidently sincere man, and one who carefully weighs his words.’—Spectator.
Classical Translations Edited by H. F. FOX, M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Brasenose College, Oxford.
Messrs. Methuen are issuing a New Series of Translations from the Greek and Latin Classics. ”

“ Lucian—Six Dialogues (Nigrinus, Icaro-Menippus, The Cock, The Ship, The Parasite, The Lover of Falsehood) . Translated by S. T. Irwin, M.A. 3s. 6d.
Sophocles—Electra and Ajax. Translated by E. D. A. Morshead, M.A. 2s. 6d.
Tacitus—Agricola and Germania. Translated by R. B. Townshend. 2s. 6d.
[32] Methuen’s Junior School-Books. Edited by O. D. Inskip, LL.D., and W. Williamson, B.A.
A Class-Book of Dictation Passages. By W. Williamson, B.A. Sixth Edition. Crown 8vo. 1s. 6d.
The Gospel According to St. Mark. Edited by A. E. Rubie, M.A., Headmaster of the Royal Naval School, Eltham. ”

“ The night was hot and heavy, and the single lamp sufficient; the great flare of the lighted city, rising high, spending itself afar, played up from the Boulevard and, through the vague vista of the successive rooms, brought objects into view and added to their dignity. ”

“ By H. B. Walters. With 112 Plates and 18 Illustrations in the Text. Wide Royal 8vo. 12s. 6d. net.
Velazquez. By A. de Beruete. With 94 Plates. Wide Royal 8vo. 10s. 6d. net.
Commercial Series Edited by H. de B. GIBBINS, Litt.D., M.A.
Crown 8vo.
Commercial Education in Theory and Practice. By E. E. Whitfield, M.A. 5s.
An introduction to Methuen’s Commercial Series treating the question of Commercial Education fully from both the point of view of the teacher and of the parent.
British Commerce and Colonies from Elizabeth to Victoria. By H. de B. Gibbins, Litt.D., M.A. Third Edition. 2s. ”

“ His views of life are fresh and vigorous, his language pointed and characteristic, the incidents of which he makes use are striking and original, his characters are life-like, and though somewhat exceptional people, are drawn and coloured with artistic force. ”

“ THE HISTORY OF SIR RICHARD CALMADY. Seventh Edition. A Limited Edition in Two Volumes. Crown 8vo. 12s.
‘A picture finely and amply conceived. In the strength and insight in which the story has been conceived, in the wealth of fancy and reflection bestowed upon its execution, and in the moving sincerity of its pathos throughout, “Sir Richard Calmady” must rank as the great novel of a great writer.’—Literature. ”

“ NOÉMI: A Romance of the Cave-Dwellers. Illustrated by R. Caton Woodville. Third Edition.
‘“Noémi” is as excellent a tale of fighting and adventure as one may wish to meet. The narrative also runs clear and sharp as the Loire itself.’—Pall Mall Gazette.
‘Mr. Baring Gould’s powerful story is full of the strong lights and shadows and vivid colouring to which he has accustomed us.’—Standard. ”