The tales here told are written, not to glorify war but to nourish patriotism. They represent an effort to renew in popular memory the great traditions of the Imperial race to which we belong. The history of the Empire of which we are subjects the story of the struggles and sufferings by which it has been built up is the best legacy which the past has bequeathed to us. War belongs no doubt, to an imperfect stage of society it has a side of pure brutality. But it is not all brutal. Each sketch is complete in itself and though no formal quotation of authorities is given, yet all the available literature on each event described has been laid under contribution. The sketches will be found to be historically accurate.