Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-06

has grown steadily in numbers. and Ct
ficioncy up to the present date. In Isl
Imperial troops were Withdrawn iron
our larger Colonies. and ten years late
there was a further concentration. II be
ing recognized that Imperial garrisons
are TO be maintained only at certain coal
ing stations, he'd 10 enable the navy 10
protect our mercantile fleets.
In 1871 Mr.. Cardwell. then Secretary OF
State OF War. carried out the abolition
for purchase In the army. In that sys-
TEN. bad and unjust AS II was there
were good points. tac principal one beng
that It secured rapid flow OF promo
ton though this was obtained at the
expense OF the individual officer. Under
the new system the state has had 10
take over that charge. % the enormous
increase OF the non-cifective vote; but
on The other hand, II was abolished tnat
quasi-right Of ownership IN cominls-
sion which existed. and while II lasted,
rendered difficult the practice OF selec-
ton, 10 which we have only just now
come. Thirty-nine years after IT was
suggested by the queen to Paimerston.
and a quarter OF a century after tho
country paid the price OF Mr.. CarowelIs
great reform.
The hardships OF the purchase system
were exempliAed in 1872 in the battalion,
the unwritten history OF which i quoted
IN the earlier sentences OF this payer,
when a young lieutenant-colonel OF the
Guards was permitted TO exchange with
the Northumberland OF the battalion,
I'm spite of the fact that the senior-ma)or
had nearly forty years service. had been
In several actions in the Peninsula, was
engaged at Waterloo. and whose name
was recorded for purchase. but VINO was
unable TO give the over-regulauoh Piio0
OF the neutenant-colonclcy. The great
est gain however. from the aDohllo'' Vi
purchase lies in the fact that oiiiceTS
now being professional soldiers, nave
much more influence over their men tiah
formerly. The duty OF insiructnf VIC
non-commissioned officers and prlva'e'
has rendered my brethren more ah'c "
their serious responsibilities. anc mas ~
abled them to obtain greater KNOW
edge Of the feelings actuating their COM
rades in the ranks.
The young solder Of to-day. on JON
ing. Is In q very different position from
that Of his predecessor sixty years ago
He IS supplied with a complete outht OF
clothing. and "a kit containing an such
necessaries as brushes. combs. razors'
etc. He Is supplied periodically, later
with the principal articles of his uni
form without charge; but ne
keep up the necessaries, whic
undertaking. at his own eN2'
70 pay for any repairs 10 ciotn.. &c
IL is in wear lie pays for groceries.
Vegetables and personal washing. the
cost of which varies now from 30. 10 Al.
per diem. but his bedding Is washed by
the government.
Ii is a fair estimate to put soldiers
rations. pay, lodging, and clothing as
equivalent TO LIS a week, which sum
increases gradually. according 10 the
soldiers conduct. and consequent pro-
notion He is credited also with sum
Of e per annum under the head OF de
ferred pay" which is given to him on
his Joining the army reserve. or at the
expirati Of his service. After deduct
ing all stoppages, a well conducted SOL
der OF our infantry-the lowest paid Of
our army-may reckon on having Is.
week as pocket money. On the other
hand he sacrifices a great deal OF his
personal freedom: but it must be re-
membered that If he were employed in
civil life or a weekly wage, this ceases
r IN his becoming i'll. and he would have
10 pay for medical treatment which 10
he soldier, is afforded free. I'd. per diem
being however. stopped from his pay
While he remains in hospital.
There is q mixture of feudalism and
parish life in a battalion. Scarcely a
regiment exists which has not chart
table fund. and IN most corps either the
Coloners VIE Oh one OK the regimental
ladies plays the double part Of the
Squire's dauchter ana parsons wife rolled
into one. There are Christmas festivi-
ties for the soldiers families. and in
cases Of death. or even of outbreak OF
nfantHe sickness, not only is money
forthcoming but / have known personal
attention and nursing rendered by officers
wives, under the most distressing condi-
lions.
THE FAIR.
Although some corps have a better regi-
mental system than others, yet In the
majority Of the mounted corps the men
have coffee or cocoa al s A. NJ, served
outside the stables. All branches Of the
service have. as a rule. bread and butter,
with, in some cases, bacon. Drawn, or
some such relish for breakfast. For din
ner they have boxed, baked, or roast
meat. and generally n pudding Of some
kind. the TatiOns being Increased by
grants from the regimental institutes TO
the company messing book. Not only
are the cooks stimulated by the monetary
prizes given for general excellence OF
dinners throughout the month. but it is
the duty of commanding officers and OF
company officers TO see the bin Of fare
: frcm day 10 day. and that the company
BOOKS correspond in the quantities OF
groceries 20 the food which is provided.
Between 4:9O and y. NJ. there IS always
tea with sugar and milk. and bread, with
generally either butter or jam.
The appetites and the habits OF re-
cruits vary greatly. according 10 the
locality from which they join. Whereas.
some men will eat but little more than
the ration provided. many recruits viii,
I'm addition. consume a bowl Of soup,
which. in most corps, is given free. for
supper. and at the regimental institute
a substantial and palataole evening
meal which is obtainable throughout the