tion. I would answer distinctly in the affirmative with the added observation that if he did he would not be as good as Beck. The situation as it exists is, pe- culiarly enough, almost ideal. For whatever is the strife and struggle between the two widely divided points of view an enormous quantity of work is accomplished. If it is in bitterness and bile, what matter, as long as it remains so. I think the very bitterness and bile has made it so. As it is, Beck and Drowne, "Two houses both alike in dig- nity", by entertaining a complete intellectual scorn for one another, stir up a magnificent conflagration of val- able results. And much as the Montagues and the Capulets no one would care about them if they had loved each other, and an excellent play would have been lost forever. Dr. Drowne, whom we met first on our arrival, Beck being up in camp at the time, has been very polite and generous hearted to Hamlin and me. I imagine that a unique conflict of personalities existed for a long time on the France which must have been a trial to both the enduring parties and exceedingly discouraging to their work. I think it fair to say that the addition of new blood has smothered all evidences of this bellicose state. I hope it has. At any rate Hamlin and I are on good terms with them both and no eyes have been gouged during the last three weeks. The condition of the France herself is not good. She is leaking, her gear aloft is in the last stages, and if she was to be retained for any length of time she would need a new suit of canvas, a bottom scraping, an