The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-07-08
LITTLE TIN SOLDIERS.
They Come In Uniforms Representing
Every known Regiment.

Ahey COme IN UNIFORMS representing
Every known Regiment.
Everyone who has read Hans Ander-
sens story of the Little Tin Soldier"
must have feeling of interest for his
race. He was one of five and twenty, all OF
whom "shouldered their muskets and
looked straight before them, and their
uniform was red and blue and very
splendid"
His story was sad. He fell in love
with tiny paper lady. dressed in blue
ribbons and gauze, who stood all day
before cardboard castle, and he never
married her, because he persisted in
the fire. All through his life his little
military heart continued heroic.
The toy soldier holds the affections OF
the boy. just as the doll does those Of
the girl. and no matter what novelties
are introduced, these boxes of painted
figures retain their power of attraction.
AS a rule the gayest uniforms at
tract the boys more quickly, but many
collect soldiers and exchange iuen until
they gradually possess soldiers of all
types and nationalities.
The little men are made of lead and
pewter, and after they are cast they
are painted by hand. The home of the
tin soldier is Germany, but English
manufacturers have been producing
them within the last few years and
have brought out all the types of the
British army.
Many have movable arms, which is
especially effective in the "lancers,"
for they can carry the lance both up
right or charging"
The soldiers of the West India reg
iments have guns that will actually
shoot.
The men include the ordinary mount
ed and foot regiments, a mounted bat
terry, infantry, mules which carry the
ammunition and machine guns, which
can be fired.
The Germans have cleverly represent
ed every known regiment. Hence it Is
possible to have collection of soldiers
which may show all the uniforms ever
worn in warfare, from ancient Persians,
Romans, Greeks and medieval knights
in armor to Arabs, Hungarians, Rus
slams, Turkish Zanzaries, zouaves,
French troops, Scottish Highlanders,
Prussian cuirassiers. Japanese men and
New York militia.
Still more variety is occasioned by
representing each regiment in various
positions are running, STOPPING, firing,
lying on their backs and stiff and stark
in true parade elegance.
Like all other tradespeople, toy max
ers are up to date. and consequently
every new war or small slSirmish sug-
gests new regiment. Among the latest
soldiers have been the Chinese and jap
anese; the crack British regiments
which served in Matabeleland and the
Beers of South Africa.
Tents and cannon are sold separately.
The bands also come in separate boxes,
| and include men playing drums, flies
and all brass instruments, and band
master, who, when wound up, waves his
arm, while tiny musical box, hidden
from view, plays God Save the Queen"
yankee Doodle" "Thc Watch on the
Rhine" or the "Marseillaise," according
to the costume of the soldiers.
1t is singular that many of the i'm
ported tin soldiers representing foreign
or ancient regiments carry the Amer
lean flag, no matter what uniform the
little men wear, instead of the ensign Of
the country to which they belong
Boston Globe.