Another rule of the camp somewhat grated upon our nerves.  We opened several canteens which we stocked with our own goods, and operated upon communal lines so that the prisoners might secure ample food-stuffs.  Naturally these articles were sold to the men at the lowest possible prices.  But to our dismay we learned afterwards that they might have been sold at a lower figure had the German military not demanded a commission, or perhaps it should be called a “royalty” upon the turnover of 7-1/2 per cent.!  This applied equally to the “Special Order Department,” and I am afraid, if the subject were probed to the bottom, it would be found that every article sold in Ruhleben—­fully ninety per cent. of which probably would be construed as articles saleable from the canteen if shops were unavailable—­contributes its toll of seven-and-a-half per cent. to the German authorities.  When one recalls the thousands sterling which pass through the shops and canteens during the course of the week, the German officials must have derived a handsome revenue from this iniquitous practice.  If all the camps were mulcted in the manner of Ruhleben, looking after the British prisoners must be an extremely lucrative occupation.

This scandalous impost hit us at every turn.  It meant that we had to pay for every article and through the nose at that.  For instance, the Camp Committee laid down a house equipped with four large boilers to supply boiling water, which we had to fetch, and with which we were able to brew beverages and soups in the secrecy of our barracks.  We purchased this convenience, of which the Germans took a proportion, so that we really paid a prohibitive price for the water which we consumed! The supply of hot water, no matter for what purpose, was construed by the Germans as coming within the business of the canteen! Shower baths were also introduced, the cost being defrayed out of the camp treasury.  I wonder if the British authorities follow a similar practice among the German internment camps in this country?  It is an excellent method of making the prisoner pay for his own board and lodging.

The educational classes proved a complete success.  Almost every language under the sun could be heard among the prisoners.  The classes were absolutely free, of course, although you could contribute something, if you desired.  Individual tuition was given, but in this instance the tutors were free to levy fees.  The mastery of languages became one of the most popular occupations to pass the time.  I myself had a class of dusky members of the British Empire, drawn from various Colonies, and speaking as many dialects, to whom I undertook to teach English, reading, writing, drawing, and other subjects.  At the time the class was formed, they could only muster a few English words, conducting conversation for the most part by signs and indifferent German.  But my pupils proved apt and industrious, and by the time I left they had mastered our tongue very effectively, as the many letters they sent me, before leaving Ruhleben, striving to thank me for what I had done, testify.