Sickness brought despondency, and I seemed only to see our countrymen throwing away their lives in vain against the defences of a gallant people fighting for their liberty.
One cannot help noticing the notable change of feeling towards the enemy which the war has brought.

The Boers, instead of being spoken of as "ignorant brutes" and "cowards" have become "splendid fellows," admirable alike for strategy and courage.

The hangers-on of Johannesburg capitalism have to keep their abusive contempt to themselves now, but happily only one or two of them have cared to remain in the beleaguered town.
At a mess where I was to-night, all the officers but one agreed there was not much glory in this war for the British soldier.

It would only be remembered as the fine struggle of an untrained people for their liberty against an overwhelming power.

The defence of the Tyrol against Ney was quoted as a parallel.