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the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field;

[When he is already at full strength.]

and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.

4. The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly

be avoided.

[Another sound piece of military theory. Had the Boers acted upon

it in 1899, and refrained from dissipating their strength before

Kimberley, Mafeking, or even Ladysmith, it is more than probable

that they would have been masters of the situation before the

British were ready seriously to oppose them.]

The preparation of mantlets, movable shelters, and various

implements of war, will take up three whole months;