The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-12
LIFE IN THE BARRACKS.
The Ecole NIilitnJre and Its New Uses-French
SoldlerR In Rnrrnck-IntereatlDR scenes.

soldiers in Bnrrnck-InterestiDg scenes.
An English major-general writes from Parls:-
on entering the barrackroom Of the Ecoe Mill
taire ] found it numbered oSontain los men, but
with only rs beds, the amount OF men in one COM
paDy Several Of the soldiers were singing others
lying down reading. Round the room were arranged
a series Of iron bedsteads, each supplied with a
straw palasse, wool pillow, blanket, pair Of
sheets, and a clean brown counterpane. During
the day each alternate bedsead has two sets of the
bedding, which gives soft sofa, alternating with
hard, healthy one. over the bed is a shelf for the
soldiers Kit, including round tin soup pan, with
cover; and also row of pegs for his side arms and
At the bottom of the range OF beds every here
and there was a stand for arms numbered and tick
eted opposite to the door, at the end of the room,
hung a drum. on asking one Of the men what was
the French soldiers load for marching, was in
stantly told that it was nominally sixty pounds,
French, but, in reality, not so much Musket and
blanket from nine to ten, knapsacS full, from
does yhe % tnansacS scnptsin o.; "0h what we IiEe.
two or three pair of panaloons the necessary arti
cles for monhy.inspection are two pairs of shoes,
one pair Of drawers, pair of pants, three shirts,
two collars, two pairs Of gloves, two of white
CATERS, three handkerchiefs, and night cap"
In the CanteeD, which is open from daybreak till
$50 at night, found decent dining-room for the
non-commissioned officers, who live in barracks
TEN, do not live in barracks In the corner, on
small counter, are arrayed glasses, bottles of wine,
and spirits for sale. Every regiment of 1900 men is
allowed four cantinieres, who must be married.
-Four washerwomen are allowed to live in barracks,
but no soldier is allowed to marry otherwise.
"What" said !, ''are none of the men in these
barracks for ten thousand soldiers married? 'Not
one. The drum-major, the master-at-arms, and the
head cook may marry but no one else. In each
regiment of 1900 about fifteen boys from to Is
kept as children Of the regiment, and draw soldiers
TatiOns
no girls are admitted into barracks. In the kitchen
found one hot plate fourteen by three and half,
containing eight nldTmiteS, or coppers two by one
and hall feet, each Of which l was astonshed to
hear cooked for company OF seventyfive to ninety
the e rep ng in bread for soup
in slices and basins of white beans; on the ground
tubs OF cabbages with few potatoes. The meals
are prepared by two soldiers detailed from each
company and changed every day, and the French
army is thus composed not only OF soldiers but of
cooks. The ration is three-pound loaf for two
days. half pound OF meat per day, half pound OF
loaf bread for soup, one to two sous worth Of
vegetables, and the soup in which the meat is
pump" was the answer; "but in winter we
get one glass day." "Any allowances ?" asked.
two sous TO amuse himself" The fencing-room, the
prison, and the police detention-room completed my
Inspection The barracks of the Ecole Militaire are
capable of containing 10000 mel, though at the
moment there were but $780, The barrack SQUARES
were several young soldiers listening to the beauti-
ful music Of the band. A cavalry stable ! visited
was 2t5 yarGs Long iT OF hGPses s IRON
and from which hung mating OF straw. The
horses stood on clean litter, and the ventilation was
perfect. Over each rack was affixed the name and
number Of the animal and the name OF its rider.
The horses are fed at six in the morning, at
eleven, and at eight. In a large yard was bath
sixty yards long. in which the soldiers swan their
horses holding them by the halter. In hot weather
this is is done early in the morning Lame horses
benefited by standing up to their chests for hours
in this bath. As passed heard chorus OF fine
voices. "Oh, it's nothing" said my guide; sits the
boys in prison singing" In one Of the squares was
circular manege for exercising In yard found
a number Of Hussars leaning over stone cisterns,
doing their own washing. "What do you pay for
washing 2" l asked. 'lf a handkerchefis is tied to
Shirt it is allowed as point OF honor to pass as It's
tail, and no charge is made but few of us possess
handkerchief otherwise, two sous Gents for
each shirt; two sous for drawers; one sou for
gloves" A cafe. handsomely furnished with pier
glasses and handicapped tables, is inside the
barrack, and attached to 1t is a small shop, with
tobacco, brushes, and the soldiers simple wants.
The gymnasium Of the Ecole Militaire is a large
open court, with poles and beams and ropes fol
gymnastic exercise. One set were working theil
way along under beam by unlocking ropes from
one ring to another. Others were climbing per
pendicular wall by sticking their fingers and toes
into the cracks and crevces between the bricks
Some were vaultng over a wooden horse or turning
somersaults. One raised his foot to pole six fee
from the ground, and then, without using his hand
stood on it. They also practised the vauting leaI
and somersault OF the circus over eight ten, twelve
backs in a STOPPING posture The soldiers under 3
are required TO attend gymnasium drill twice
wpe