W. W.
Malta.
Fox of Whittlebury Forest.—In Mr. Jessie's Life of Beau Brummel, I met with a passage which spoke about the "well-known fox of Whittlebury Forest." Can any of your readers kindly inform me in what the celebrity of this animal consists, that Mr. Jessie takes for granted is so well known?
A Fox Hunter.
Names and Numbers of British Regiments (Vol. iv., p. 368.; Vol. vi, p. 37.).—I feel disappointed that none of your numerous and well-informed readers have responded to my inquiries on this subject. Hoping, however, that answers may still be obtained, I venture to repeat the questions for the third time, viz.:
1. What was the origin of giving British regiments the name of a certain officer, instead of numbering them as at present?
2. If in honour of an officer commanding the corps, was the name changed when that officer died or removed to another regiment; or what was the rule?
3. When did the present mode of numbering regiments begin; and by whom was it introduced?
4. What was the rule or principle laid down in giving any regiment a certain number? Was it according to the length of time it had been embodied?
5. What is the guide now, in identifying a named with a numbered regiment? For example, at the battle of Culloden, in 1746, "Wolfe's," "Barrell's," and "Howard's Foot" were engaged. Now, what is the rule for ascertaining the numbers of these, and other old regiments, in the British army at the present day?