WILL IN A BOOK

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 264, 4 August 1919, Page 2

WILL IN A BOOK

STRANGE DOCUMENTS IN CAMP LIBiiAM.

Some of the humour and the pathos of tho Camps' Library, wnich provided British troops in the field ana naval men at sea with "something to make us forget tho war" are recalled m n report iu=t published. In four years the library dealt with nearly 16.0u0.000 publications, chiefly boohs ana magazines. "Those who gave," says the report, "may well feel proud of the fact that tho value of their splendid gifts, evmi taken at considerably below tho published price should havo amounted to uvei J:3C0,(J:)0. _ Sometimes tho books 'have had beautiful plates j sometimes little inscriptions written iu the cover like "Jveep this next vour heart, it may turn .a bullet," or, in a child's handwriting: "Dear Soldier,—l do wish, you will fignt well and come sate home to your loving little kiddies like me, quite sate." Tho report continues: "Strange indeed havo" been somo or the contents of tile bags, oitcn causing tho sorters no small amazemeut. An antiquated list .of members of clubs, tor instance, seemed scarcely suitable literature to give to men requiring amusement, and in days before tiie Women's Army came into existence it was hard to understand how such a book as 'How to Cut a Smart Blouse' could have been thougnt by any donor a fitting gift fur the men in tho trenches, nur did 'How to Organise mothers' 'Meetings' seem quite an appropriate book to semi out to war-worn soldiers. On tho other hand, 'Woman and Hew tu Manage Her' was a booly ,that it was felt might, have some appreciative readers planning out their return to civilian life." ■ But many other documents were found to have strayed among the books and magazines. A draft will containing drastic disinheriting clauses fell out ono day from between the pages of a book. It bore no trace of namo or of address, and so it was impossible to "return it to sender," but many were the speculations as to whether it,ever became- ;v legal will. „, . And what happened to Edwin? Edwin was a civil servant; m a Government office. Kdwin (on oliico paper) -mute a most' impassioned letter to Angelina-com-plaining of her treatment of him, pressin" his suit with desperate ardour. And yet Angelina left that letter in a novel! What would Kdwin say if ho knew his love letter was among the files of the Camps' Library. Another letter was found fastened with great blobs of sealiug wax iu tho inside cover of a, magazine: '

With Best Wished.. I am only a little boy of 10 years. And I hope whoever gets this Book will like it. My father is missing since the 25th anil 26th September, 1915. Tho Buttle'of Loos. I wontier if it will fall in the hands of nuyone who was in the Battle and eould give us any information concerning Him, Underneath were the name of tho lads father, the number of tho battalion, tho name of his regiment, and the homo address. Inquiries were set on foot, but they were of no avail.