This prying into your life is from no motives of private curiosity.

Wait until you hear the importance of the things which I am going to say to you." I was impressed into silence.
The Duke continued--"You have heard, my young friend," he said, "of the Committee of National Defence ?" "I have read of it," I answered.
"Good! This committee has been formed and sanctioned by the War Office in consequence of the shocking revelations of inefficiency which came to light during the recent war.

It occurred to the Prime Minister, as I dare say it did to most of the thinking men in the country, that if our unreadiness to take the offensive was so obvious, it was possible that our defensive precautions had also been neglected.

A.board was therefore formed to act independently of all existing institutions, and composed chiefly of military and naval men.

The Commander-in-Chief, Lord Cheisford, Colonel Ray, and myself are amongst the members.