The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-03-24

s1AMEsE FEMALE SOLDIERS.

Slams female military body guard, thougl
not entirely new, is Interesting from it,
minuteness. 1t appears in the Moniteul
| de l. Arme:
A battalion of the Kings Guard consist:
| of 400 women, chosen among the handsomest
and most robust girls in the country. They
receive excellent pay, and their discipline
is perfect. They are admitted to serve a;
the age of f3, and are placed in the army
of reserve at 25. From that period they
no longer serve about the Kings person,
but are employed to guard the Royal palaces
and Crown lands. On entering the army
they make vow of chastity. from which
there is no exemption unless any of them
should attract the Kings attention and be
admitted among his legitimate wives. The
Kings choice seldom falls on the most
beautiful, but on the most skilled in militia
ry exercises.
The hope of such q reward animates them
with extraordinary zeal for military :nstruc-
ton, and Europeans are astonished at the
martial appearance of that battalion, as
we'll as its skill in maneuvering and excel
lent discipline. The costume these women
wear is very rich. Their full dress is COM
posed of white woolen robe, embroidered
with gold. The cloth is extremely fine and
descends as far as the knee it is covered
with light coat of mail and a gilt cuirass.
The arms are free, and the head is COW
cred with gilt casque. When wearing
this dress on State occasions their only
weapon is a lance which they handle with
wonderful dexterity. With their undress
they are armed with a musket. The bat
tallion is composed of four companies, and
each company 100 women, commanded by
a captain of their sex. Should the captain
die, the company is drilled for three days
by the King, who appoints the most COM
petent to succeed to the command.
The battalion has been commanded for
the last five years by woman who saved
the Kings life, at a tiger hunt by her cour
age and skill. She possesses great influence
at Court, and is much respected by those
under her command. She has the same es-
tablishment as member of the royal fami
ly, and ten elephants are placed at her
service. The King never undertakes any
expedition without being accompanied by
his female guard, nor does he ever hunt, or
even ride out, without an escort of this same
guard, who are devotedly attached to his
person. Each individual of the battalion
has five negresses attached to her service,
and, having thus no domestic occupation,
she can devote herself exclusively to the
duties of her profession. There is parade
ground near the city, where one company
is stationed for two days every week to ex-
ercise themselves in the use of the lance,
the pistol, the musket, and the rife
The King attends once month at these
exercises, accompanied by his brother, who
shares in some degree the sovereign power,
and distributes prizes to the most deserving.
These rewards consists of bracelets or other
valuable jewelry, to which the girls and
their families attach great Importance
Those so honored fill the Offices of sergeant
and corporal. Punishment is very rare in
the corps, and when it is inflicted it consists
of suspension from service for a period
not exceeding three months. But duels are
much more frequent. They must be sane
toned, however, by the female captain,
and be fought with swords in the presence
of the entire company. When the death
Of one of the parties ensues the deceased
receives a magnificent funeral, and the high
priest pronounces a penegyric declaring
that the deceased by her valor has merrited
eternal rest in the abode of the blessed
The survivor receives the congratulations
of her companions; but as a measure of
discipline, she is sentenced to pass two
months away from her company in fasting
and prayer. The military organization of
this battalion is so perfect that the entire
army endeavors to initiate it.
As BEAUTIFUL, AS TRUE.-Young men
and young women, just entering the mar
riage state, here is something you cannot
read too often. Cut it out-place it amongst
your heart treasures, and you will, every day
YOU live value it more and more.
"Preserve the privacies Of your house,
marriage state, heart, from father, mother,
sister, brother, aunt, and all the world
You two, with Gods help, build your own
quiet world; every third or fourth one whom
YOU draw into it with you will form a par
ty, and will stand between you two. That
should never be. Promise this to each 9TH
er. Renew the VOW at each temptation
You will find your account in it. Your
souls will grow, as it were, together, and at
last they will become as one.
All, if many young pair had, on their
wedding-day, knew this secret, how many
marriages were hanpier than, alas, they
are"
E Il like you," said a girl to her sui
tor, but / cannot leave home; am wild,
ow's only daughter; no husband can equal