["It has been proposed that the kilt should be the uniform of the new
Irish Guards."--_Daily Paper._]
What! take away the throusers off our pathriotic knees,
As if we were a regiment of disordherly M.P.'s?
Och! sorrer take the wicked thought, for histhory it teaches,
An Oirishman is happiest when foightin' in the breaches.
What! Wear them bits of pitticoats that blow about and twirl
Around your blushin' knees? No, faith! Oi'm not a bally girl!
No! Oi'm an Oirish souldier, an' me blood Oi've often spilt it,
But though Oi'm willin' to be kilt, Oi'll die before Oi'm kilted.
* * * * *
In order to check extravagance in the Cavalry, the authorities have
decided that "fines of money or wine are no longer to be levied on
marriage or promotion, _or in respect of any minor irregularities_." In
future the officer who commits the major irregularity of being promoted
will not need to say, with the _King of Denmark_, "O, my offence is
rank!"
* * * * *
[Illustration: "MANNING THE (BACK-)YARDS"