In the present day, when soldiering is popular and when each town or district sends forth its volunteers, we naturally see an endless display of uniforms, some of which are difficult to identify. Taking, however, the preceding remark about gold lace and silver, red and blue uniforms, numbers on caps, &c., any non-military man may be able to form a very good estimate of the branch of the service and the rank to which each person belongs, a little practice being sufficient to soon train the eye to mark the various peculiarities.
When regiments are formed on parade for reviews or any similar purpose, they are usually placed in the order of their precedence. This order being as follows:—
The Life and Horse Guards have the precedence of all other corps.
The Horse Artillery, whether mounted or dismounted, take the right of all other cavalry.
The Cavalry always take the right of Infantry.
The Royal Artillery take the right of Infantry.
The Royal Engineers take rank next to the Royal Artillery.
The Foot Guards follow next to the Royal Engineers.
The Regiments of the line follow in the order of their number.
The Royal Marines take rank after the 49th Regiment, and the Rifle Brigade after the 93rd.