New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-07-04
A BRITISH PAGEANT
Evolution of Military Arms and
Tactics-Historic Battles.
London, June %.


The army pageant is a triumph Of or
eanization for a patriotic charity Thu
Soldiers and Sailors Help Society has
done immense work in relieving distress
End obtaining employment for MEN,
bers of the fighting services since It was
founded. during the Boer War. IN or
der that there may be substantial ia
crease Of its funds the Bishop Of Lon
don has lent twenty-five acres OF bis
grounds at FuIharn Palace. a liability q
s9O.O 600 has been incurred under the
highest social and military patronage,
and about fifteen hundred troops. repre-
sentfng ffty-two regiments and organ
izarions, and three thousand unattached
supers have been placed tsnder the CON-
mand of Mr.. T. r. Benson, az master os
the pageant, for a fortnight Serious
are the risks and strenuous the labors
involved in entertainments for charity;
but success IN this instance IS wel!niga-
certain, for the pageant is a unique spec
tacIe, illustrating the evolution Of
weapons and tactics in famous battles
and brilliant episodes in the annals OF
regiments The rehearsals conducted
last week have shown how well the open
air theatre is adapted TO the purpose
and how splendid a spectacular display
Is in reserve for a host Of OnloOkers n
the grandstand. The opening performs
ances have been brilliantly successful
Gaels, Ivernians. Scots, Brythons ard
Romans have their excursions and
alarunns, and a nation is gradually
trained in the art Of war The primary
lesson OF morale in battle is taught n
King Arthur's conflict az Mount Baden,
and at Ashdown King Alfred introduces
a settled plan of attack and profits by
we'll directed Initiative There are quick
changes of costumes and weapons
among the soldiers and suoers in the
marques. and anon the Norrnans are a:
Hastings with horsemen and bowraen,
and outwftting the Saxons by clever
ruse Dupplin Muir and Crecy Illus
trate the use Of shot against dis-
mounted enemy and the shock Of horss
in full charge while Agincourt brings
an invincible line against solid colun1.
and Mount Auray tests the value Of
alertness and resource in battle For
the fifteenth century there is spirited
picture Of Joan Of Arc at Patay, and 20.
the sixteenth century there is the relic,
OF Flushing under Morgan. with ths
crash of firearms Naseby reveals .
fierce struggle between Cavaliers and
Roundheads. with the final stand OF the
blue regiment on the field of honor. In
rhe regiments in famous fights Tia
Duke OF Marlborough sweeps tire Frensh
off the field Of Malplaquet: trooper
Brown, of the Ora goons, recaptures the
standard at Dettingen; the lines OF Brit
ish infantry are invulnerable az Min
den; the retreat to Coruna ends in VIC
tory and the death of Sir John Moore;
Barrora shows an invfncible stand O.
British Infantry, and Picton and tina
Third Division gain Badaios for Well
ington.
The pageant suggests the evolution o.
4 fighting nation from primitive bar
barism. the relations OF tactics TO
weapons, the development OF medieval
arnor after the battle of Hastings. ths
portance Of initiative, aggressive powe.
and morale in battle II opens with q
combat between ancient warriors armed
with antIers. clubs and fints; tavelins
daggers and axes are followed with
ohariots, lances and trunpets. and ths
helmeted Romans. with their hollow
squares and superior discipline, bring
science TO the aid Of rough hewn physI-
cal strength. With Arthur ard MS
Christian knights are seen shields. blada
spears and dragon helms; Alfred leads
the charge against the Danish stockades
and defeats the enemy by superior tao (
tics, and at Hastings there IS wild s
whirl OF darts. spears and two-handsd
battleaxes, and archers in front are sup
ported by heavy infantry and mounted
knights Chain mail. 1auberl.s round
and kite shaped shields. iron helmets
gauntlets and brassarts are shown n
the next series Of battles. At Duppli1
Muir spearmen are in fight before Ian
GERS and bowmen; at Crecy arrows
pierce shield and helmet, and the Black
Prince is rescued by a gallant sortis q
archers; at Mount Auray the battleaxes
are beaten back by a reserve OF Iancess
and at Agincourt shields have gone OUT
of use, swords are heavily bIaded. spears
have been shortened and the art Of re-
pelling cavalry charges has been mas
tered
All these battle scenes are enacted
with close approach 20 realism. Tiers
are only a few passages OF dialogue.
There is a succession of infantry rushes
and cavalry charges; men fall frou