St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-11-23
ENGLISH ARMY LIFE.
Scenes and Incidents Along the
- Paths Of Glory.
Jolly Young Suhaltsras who Never Mics
Any Fun and Never Fay . Cent
Little to Do and Little
to Get.

Little to Do and Little
The road to a commission In the
British army leads through the Sand
hurst Military College-Englaud's
West POint-which is romantically sit
uated in Surrey. Having gained I'D
mission to this portal by dint Of pass
ing more or less creditable examina-
tion at the hands of the Civil-Service
Commissioners, the juvenile '.gentle-
man cadet" rs he is euphoniously
termed. is instructed for a year. or .
year and halt. according to his capa-
bilities. in the elements of the various
branches OF military science. at the
end Of which probationary period he
is gazetted to a regiment Of cavalry or
infantry. having a choice of regiments.
according to his position in the final
examination.
Sandhurst is a place looked upon
with various feelings by those who
have. at an early stage of their careers.
participated in its slightly dubious
joys. Rccollcctions OF the ''toshing"
of Objectionable or bumptious aspi-
rants to military glory-the operation
consisting in the singing. head down.
wards, OF the hapless ''t0shee" to the
head Of his cot, and literally sluicing
him with cold water-the frequent
drills. incessant study and scho0l-boy
restrictions such as compulsory bed at
nine o'clock during the first term. The
proud sensation Of emerging from the
rank of .'snOoker" "a cadet in his first
half year), the annual ball and many
other memories. are either treasured
or detested. rs the possessor was .
fellow, or the reverse. 1t il .
place where a man very soon finds his
level; the inane scion OF the NOBLE
house Of Bareacres is toshed with as
.ittle ceremony. and. II any thing.
more zest than the hope of the Man.
chester magnate. The army is no 70
specter of persons. and If q man IL .
gentleman in himself he is valued and
liked. and. taken by his companions
for what they find him.
The final ordeal being successfully
passed. the youthful subaltern pro-
ceeds on two months leave Of absence.
granted by n paternal gov
ernment to allow him to be photo
graphcd in every conceivable attitude
and uniform-during which period he
provides himself with kit costing
$500 or $500. il his election be the line.
more than treble that sum il the cav
airy. and, having been duly admired
by his various feminine acquaintances,
repairs at its expiration to the head
quarters of his regiment. and duly re-
ports his arrival. Now begins the
real pleasure of existence; handed
over TO the tender mercics of . drill
sergeant, he. in company with several
raw recruits. plods painfully through
he amazing intricacies OF the English
lrill book. Finally the adjutant pro-
,ounces him fully disciplined. and he
in all the splendor of full
blown officer. Quarters, fuel and
ight-of sorts-are provided BY
he powers that be. the contents
II the first being invariably
! barrack bed. fender and table.
with two ancient wooden chairs of sur
,rising hardness and discomfort; . |
bellows and ragged hearth
,rush complete the furniture" +" which
s duly set forth and registered on an
inventory board placed under his care.
fowever. with the aid OF his soldier
ervant and the barrack supply store.
le rapidly evolves q very snug and
heerful domicile, hiring the goods he /
ancies at more or less-usually moro |
monthly rate
His inner man is provided for at the |
ness. where every thing is 'done" in
he best possible manner. comfort and
luxury being studied in the most mi
ute details There is but one draw
'ack, the monthly mess bill. that bug |
ear of the junior officer. living like .
'rince on the munificent stipend OF
dollar and thirty cents per diem.
lus the allowance. averaging five hum
red dollars year. made him by his
elatives. How it is done is mex
,licable; the writer never understood
ow he did it himself. but it IL. never
heless. fact that the youthful sub.
, always we'll dressed. does pretty
early every thing in the way Of amuse-
nent he wants to. lives like lord. goes
denies himself nothing.
nd never seems in want Of money, on
n income OF little or nothing per an
um! He has the entree into the best
ocie;y. and is looked upon with much
avor by tie charming demoiselles
With whom he comes in contact SO
much so. that good match (from the
mans point of view) has proved the
aviation OF many a speudthrift SON
4 Mars Mars and Venus hays a. !