that the defenders were “hard pressed,” and in the afternoon, somewhat tardily as it seems, General Buller made a demonstration with all his available force towards the enemy’s trenches.  The object was to hold the Boers to their positions on the river, and to prevent the commandos attacking Ladysmith from being reinforced.  As far as could be ascertained the enemy, however, were in full strength on the north side of the river, and after ineffectual efforts had been made to draw their fire the British force returned to camp.  Within four days of this movement, Sir Redvers Buller advanced westward from Chieveley to make his second attempt to cross the Tugela and to relieve the town; and it is with the hopes inspired there by the news and with the tense anxiety with which every indication of advance or retreat on the distant hills was watched by the beleaguered garrison, that Mr. Pearse’s notes at this time in great measure deal.

January 11.—­The bombardment has gone on vigorously for several days, and the Boers are busy on new works, probably with the idea of “bluffing” us into the belief that they mean to mount new guns, while in reality they are sending reinforcements southward to intercept General Buller.  The reception yesterday of a message from the Queen thanking the troops here for their gallant defence aroused much enthusiasm.  Lord Ava’s death to-day causes profound regret in every regiment of Hamilton’s Brigade and other camps, where his soldierly qualities and manly bearing made him a favourite with men and officers alike.  Conspicuous for pluck among the bravest, he met death—­where he had faced it in nearly every action since joining this force—­with the righting line.  Of all who fell dead or mortally wounded in the heroic defence of Bester’s Ridge, none will be more sincerely mourned than he.  The civilians of Ladysmith join with the troops in expressions of respectful sympathy to Lord Dufferin and his family.  To-night Lord Ava’s body was buried in the little cemetery, a scene impressive in its simple solemnity.  Brigadier-General Hamilton with his staff; Colonel Rhodes; Major King, A.D.C., representing the Headquarters Staff, with Sir George White’s personal aide-de-camp; several officers of the Imperial Light Horse, among whom Lord Ava was wounded; Captain Tilney of Lord Ava’s old regiment; officers of the 5th Lancers, Gordon Highlanders, and Royal Artillery; several prominent townsmen, and five war correspondents stood beside the grave.

January 15.—­Early this morning sixty shots from heavy guns were heard far off to the southward, giving us hope that General Buller had begun his promised advance for our relief.  A few hours later I received a heliograph message from my eldest son, whom I supposed to be still in England, saying that he was with the South African Light Horse on probation for a lieutenancy.  To-night there was another sorrowful gathering of correspondents in the cemetery, round the grave of