FRENCH CLUB

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2768, 11 May 1916, Page 7

FRENCH CLUB

The second meeting, of the' session of the French Club was held last evening, Mr. Lattey presided, and there was a very fair attendance' of membei-3. The proceedings oponed with' a short reading by Mr.- Adumson, "La France." The 'principal item of the evening was a paper by Mr. Cooke, being remarks on, and extracts from, the French version of- "The Riddle of the Sands." This book', first published in 1903, is of especial interest at the present time, as it reveals" ■ Germany's preparations for the invasion of England, and contains an account of the actual reherirsal of embarking troops for that purpose. The speaker devoted some time .to showing where the '■ sands are situate, that is, ii number of sand banks intersected by channels off the coast of Germany, the part nearest to England. This portion.of the paper was illustrated by blackboard sketches. The most interesting incident narrated was that of the embarkation of some German officers, accompanied by the Kaiser himself, on'a steamer tawing a barge which was supposed to be holding German soldiers. This, and the escape of the author, who was a stowaway on the steamer, were vividly described. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to those who Had provided for the evening's entertainment.