THE MILITIA.
This fine old force is still upon a peace footing, and the Government has refused new regimentals to any of the men, who are nearly all grown too corpulent to wear their old ones. The coat of the colour-sergeant of the Lancashire Lights has been pieced in the back, and is now made to meet in front; and a false hem having been made to his regulation ducks, he is enabled, by the aid of very lengthy straps, to wear the uniform of the regiment. The band has dwindled to a solitary drum, and, as the War Office will not allow of any augmentation, the adjutant, who plays a little on the flute, takes a part on public occasions, when the staff is expected to attend muster.
There is now a field day once in six months, when the regiment, which consists of seven superannuated sergeants and one private, go through a sham fight; and on the last occasion they carried the pound by a coup de main, in spite of the beautiful manœuvring of the adjutant, who personated the garrison.
During the recent strike in the North the militia's instructions were to act as a reserve, and they followed the recommendation to the letter, for such was their modesty that they were not to be drawn out from their dépôt on any pretext whatever. The thanks of the city were afterwards presented to the adjutant in a congreve box, and he received an autograph letter from the mayor, speaking strongly of the forbearance that the militia had exhibited.
PEACE ESTABLISHMENT