PRIVILEGE, is any kind of right or advantage which is attached to a person or employment exclusive of others.
Privileges. Among the different privileges which prevail in the British army, the life guards receive their promotions direct from the king, without passing through the commander in chief as all other corps do. The appointment of colonel in the life guards gives the honorary title of gold stick, and the field officer of the day is the silver stick, through whom all reports, &c. are conveyed to the king. Although there is a lieutenant general of the London district, the foot guards have the privilege of reporting to head quarters direct. The foot guards enjoy the privilege of ranking, from the ensign, one step higher than the line. A lieutenant, for instance, ranks as captain, and can purchase as such into any marching regiment without having waited the regulated period; and a captain, having the brevet rank of lieutenant colonel, may leap over all the majors of the line, by getting appointed to a marching regiment. The promotions of the guards, among themselves, are, however, extremely slow; and the only indemnification they have must beat the expence of the line. This preposterous pre-eminence which is not founded on any military principles or personal merit, has tended to destroy military emulation in England; and will every where when merit only is not the criterion of honor and promotion.
Privileges des régimens, Fr. Certain privileges attached to regiments, which are always abused, when not the reward of distinguished merit.
PRIVY Council, a council of state held by a king, with his counsellors, to concert matters for the public service; also called the cabinet.
PRIX des emplois ou charges militaires, Fr. The price of commissions, or military employments. During the monarchy of France, a company in the French guards sold for 80,000 livres!
A company in the six first regiments of infantry, went for 75,000 livres. The six following, exclusive of the régiment du roi, went for 55,000 livres. One in the regiment of Poitou, and as far down as the Penthievre, 40,000 livres; in the Penthievre, and from that to the last regiment inclusive, 30,000 livres!
A company in the Scotch gendarmes cost 180,000 livres; in the Irish, the Bourguignon, and Flanders, 150,000 livres. The other companies of gendarmerie went for 135,000!
The sub-lieutenants in the gendarmerie paid 100,000 livres, and those in the light horse, 95,000 livres. The ensigns and first cornets, including the guidon belonging to the Scotch gendarmes, gave 62,000 livres!
The guidons, and second cornets, 30,000 livres!
There was no specific regulation for the purchase of a regiment of heavy cavalry or dragoons. Appointments in the état major or staff belonging to the cavalry and the royal regiments (les royaux) sold for 100,000l. in the dragoons, from 100,000 to 120,000 livres.