Newspapers are not always discreet in war-time, and it fell to the lot of Captain Percy Scott, of her Majesty's ship Terrible, Commandant of the Port of Durban, to order the suppression of the Review and Critic, Critic, published in that town. The newspaper had, in fact, lived too frankly - up to its name. It had reviewed the Generals and criticised the campaign in terms quite familiar in London, but calculated to embarrass an army and its officers when shouted at their heads upon the spot. Ink is a fluid ; and Captain Percy Scott chose an Expeditionary Force of bluejackets to quell the too encroaching flood of ink let loose on the townsfolk of Durban. Captain Mullins, of the Terrible, took the task in hand. The editor and staff of the offendingly frank paper were requested to leave their chairs ; the stock was seized ; and the door was officially shut, a notification to that effect being chalked up, not quite effectively enough on a first attempt, by an artistically minded bluejacket. Another bluejacket had carried a candle, as if about to take part in a ceremony of excommunication ; but its less symbolic uses soon became apparent, for the bluejacket produced a stick of sealing-wax, melted it in the candle-flame and sealed up the door.

MARTIAL LAW IN DURBAN: SHUTTING UP THE " REVIEW AND CRITIC " OFFICES FOR INDISCREET CRITICISM OF CERTAIN MILITARY MOVEMENTS.

From a Sketch by a Special Artist Mr. Frederic Villiers.

Meanwhile, Captain Percy Scott had to deal with fighting foes - a more congenial task than the silencing of indiscreet friends. Consequently he designed a carriage to take to the front a 4.7-in. gun, to which the name of " Lady Randolph Churchill " was given. After Spion Kop this gun did its best to facilitate General Buller's final advance on Ladysmith. It is to be seen in our Illustration on the new rail-truck, shelling the enemy's big guns near Colenso, Lieutenant Richards, R.N., having it under his charge. Major-General Barton, shortly afterwards wounded, is shown standing beside Captain Percy Scott, watching the effect of the fire.

Captain Percy Scott, who is forty seven years of age, has seen active service in Ashanti, on the Congo, and in Egypt. Having been Commandant the Port of Durban during the time Ladysmith has been besieged, he must last week have experienced a release from the heaviest pressure of his responsibilities.

The loyal population at Durban heard the news from Lord Dundonald with the greatest demonstrations of delight. Bells rang, guns were fired, flags fluttered in the summer air, and even if a public holiday had not been formally proclaimed, it would undoubtedly have been taken. A concourse of over ten thousand people gathered round the statue of the Queen. There were rounds and rounds of cheering, and patriotic speeches were delivered by the Mayor and. other leading men. The proceedings were all the more hearty for the knowledge that the Natal Carbineers had been among the first troops of the Relief Column to reach the long-beleaguered garrison; and they were rendered not less so by the presence of the lady who had lent her name to the " Lady Randolph Churchill " gun.

To Captain Percy Scott, it will be remembered, fell the difficult duty of trying Mr. Marks, accused of being a spy. That was the Mr. Marks whose life was rated in advance by the Boers as being the equivalent of that of six British officers : a valuation which, happily, was never put to the test.

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