Evening star., 1885-06-06

AA0AAA lAAo So1uAAl AdtStZiuc
In the same year was established a school of
instruction for recruits. Every man who joins
the brigade has to undergo period of instruc-
ton, during which time he draws pay. He has
70 be clothed, taught, housed, and in every way
looked after, and for considerable time gives
no return whatever for the expense, which is
Calculated at about f1OO per man. After a
time he gives a little, and at about the end of a
year becomes thoroughly useful. The re-
cruit must in the first place be seaman, under
80 years of age and unmarried; must measure
notices. than 81 inches round the chest, and is
gsnsbGay Essbi pr preferred Ia at least ieet inches in
4ence, able to- read and write must pass a medi-
cal Inspection, and produce certificates of birth
ana e,tlnlonla!s as to character and service; the
pay 1T inst Joining is 24s aweek, and it rises to
Inc uniform is supplied yearly, and there is
now "a liberal arrangement for gratuities and
pesns nsr Wh %hiep the men appear to be in
seaman, Ito that rule there has been no ex-
cepfion 1or 80 years., and he is preferred when
nom the navy. The reason for m preierring the the
sailor to the landsman is plain, his familiarity
with @ climbing, with the handling OF ropes,
primary training Of the highest import
anee The preference extended to tile
merely engineers and fighters, 1aen accus-
toned to work on deck rather than aloit;
them stiu many good climbers, they are not in
the same proportion as in the merchant service,
Wnere the greater part of the mems work lies in
the rigging On presenting him self at head
quarters the candidate has to undergo very
severe physical test, in which if he fail he is not
further examined. A fire escape is laid hori-
zontally on the ground and by an arrangement
OF ropes and pnlleys has to be raised to a yerti-
cal pO;ltlon. 1t Is calculated that for the first
IL pulls this test represents strain of 800
pounds, after which there h gradual dimnu-
tion Of the weight, the worst of it is over and
the escape begins to rise. Che men are drilled
daily, except Saturday and Sunday ana
before passing into the brigade wait for a
ceruncate from the CHIEF drill instructor. The
drill is OF AN exceedingly diversified and in
genious character. They jump from windows
inLo sheets; they pick each other up and carry
each other down ladders; they are sung out
OF windows by ropes, representing the cs;alf knot
In use In courts or alleys waefe The escape cam
not penetrate; they rescue each other when in a
state OF lnsenslbiltty and some OF them. attired
In VIII tbs known as a :" female dress" are sent
head first down the netting OF the escape in
which uncomfortable manner it appears la lies
In peril are brought out of danger. The
coachlneA In No. Gt6 do not belong 10 the bri-
gada, in the sense that they have nothing to do
with extinSuishng dres they have only to look
alter their horses, which, at the pace they
travel-a mile in about tour minutes-must
take them all their time. They are placed under
the Charge OF the head coachman, who, be ore
engaging, tries their capabilities In crowded
parts OF the city aud makes u report. He is re-
sponsibie Tor the horses, OF which there are I31
JoDbed 1y the board, for the sake Of economy,
ana QOt'DOusnt.