Abstract

A Modern Don Quixote

The article presents an overview of the book "Agin' the Governments: Memories and Adventures of Sir Francis Fletcher Vane." Vane is a modern Don Quixote, the windmills he tilts at being powers and principalities in their British and Italian manifestations. His book of memories and adventures is a vivid record of his rebellions, major and minor, including youthful revolts against lagging in English public schools and ragging in the army; passing on to protests against the British burning of Boer farms and the shooting of the wounded Boer commandant Scheepers, and culminating in his struggles against the "Brass Hats" in Ireland and his encounters with Mussolini in Italy. Sometimes he is successful in his knight-errantry, sometimes defeated, yet even in failure he comes off with glory.