ABSTRACT
A great change has come over the French soldier since 1914; then attack followed attack, and the man in the trenches had to be constantly on the alert. In such leisure as he had he was contented to smoke his pipe and play a game of cards. But since then education has spread, inexpensive books, m agazines and innumerable papers have aroused in men who had never read before the desire to do so. Books now are a need almost as urgent as the chocolate, sausages and sardines which the soldier likes best to find in his parcel. For four months now he has had to stand the hardest possible trial to one of his ardent temper: he has had to wait; and his spirit, craving for occupation, demands reading matter.2
