The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-26

he has Just been appointed to tho col
oneicy-in -chict of the Thirteenth Hus-
aars-a corps which he first joined
as subaltern OF a little moro than
seventeen. some thirty-tive years ago.
me appointment carries with II not
oni! considerable increase OF emo
iumcnts and allowances. added to his
pay az retired ACKNOWLEDGEMENT but
also q great increase of prestige; while
the tect that he has received tho col
onelcy- chief OF just this particular
corps indicates a particularly kinnly
thought on the part OF his sovereign n.
Although tho principal feat Of arms
OF Sir Robert in tho course OF mis-
oreh.iui career. entailins no end ~
hctiVe service in various parts OF the
world, "as hie command of the suc-
cessiul defense of Mafcking, perhaps
one OF the finest features OF the Soutn
African War. yet his knighthood did
not come to him until nine years later,
and then In recognition OF his foundu :
tlon ana organisation OF the Boy Scout
movement M, When the siege OF Matc-
populace went so Wild with enthu.
siasm about the matter as 10 get be-
fond the control OF the police. and TO
initiate what has since been known
as matching" old Mrs. Baden Pow ell,
brother and sisters lost their heads al.
together and. addressing the cheering
crowds from the windows of their
house. near Hyde Park Gate. delivered
Greet remarks. Not only did they seem
TO assume that the defense OF Mofe-
King was, the sole feature and sue
t cess Of the South African War. blu,
tney are also said to have intimatcd
that hiEh honors were In store for the
general from the crown. Then, 10
make matters worse. II was ascertain
cd that while the siege of MARKETING
was In progress. the general had caus-
cd his profile to be printed on the post
nEe stanps ana paper currency OF the
mace mace IN lieu OF that of Queen Victoria
rms created no end of lrrita ton at
court, and not only wns Baden Powell
haTshly reprimanded by the War De-
pertment, but he was made~to feel the
Queen and of Edward VII for what
they Dotn denounced as piece of IN :
.olcrabie usurpatlon and presumption.
t 40 sueh an extent was this the CAGE
the generals merit in defending Mafs
King. and TO the resourccfuIness in
s s'in and gallantry which he dis
P timS curing ms 1g the siege and when tho
wards, few OF those that he had ey-
peeted, and which his relatives had do
f Gnaa.d to be assured, came his way.
popularity with his fellow -countrymen
at large. he would undoubtedly have
peen shelved: and while knighthoods
Wgre bestowed on scores and scores rf
oi!ecrs whose names were associated
win military misfortunes, he was left
without handle to his name.
laden. Powell was clever enough to
ffeIrain from appealing to the public
LOT sympathy and assuming the role
or victim. He made no Complaint I,
out set to work with Northumberland
Sest and courage at the tasks as
signed to him. Indeed. he did SO we'll
mat he was appointed inspector-sen-
eFai OF cavalry. where he Inaugurat ted
a reform SO sensible that II attracted
attention abroad. Until he put II into
norce. cavalry recruits on Joining were
put through a course of rough riding
IN the riding schools. which not only
a .l much TO dtshearten them. and
thereby retarded their training. hut
which quite frequently broke thair
Split. BADEN Powell abolished this
method. He arranged that the recruit
should be introduced to his horse un-
ger comfortable conditions. calcula ted
to Inspire confidence. and that his pow
ers as a rider should BIO developed
gradually. Under his plan the recruit
is sent out into the field with a ouiet
noun to ride about rs he pleases.
with or without saddle. He Is al
lowed to familiarize himself with the
animal before any serious riding takes