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.
[Illustration:
PEACE ESTABLISHMENT
]