My chauffeur has talked all day about the naval battle in which five German ships were lately sunk[68].

He reminded me of the night two months ago when he drove Mrs.Page and me to dine with Sir John and Lady Jellicoe--Jellicoe now, you know, being in command of the British fleet.
This Kingdom has settled down to war as its one great piece of business now in hand, and it is impossible, as the busy, burdensome days pass, to pick out events or impressions that one can be sure are worth writing.

For instance a soldier--a man in the War Office--told me to-day that Lord Kitchener had just told him that the war may last for several years.

That, I confess, seems to me very improbable, and (what is of more importance) it is not the notion held by most men whose judgment I respect.

But all the military men say it will be long.