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Engineers, and also with such questions as may, when necessary, be referred to it in connection with the technical equipment of the army at large, or inventions bearing on the same.

(vi) The Dress and Equipment Committee at Aldershot, instituted in 1883, consists of representatives of the different arms and departments of the service, nominated by, and working under the general officer commanding Aldershot division. Its duties are to consider such questions affecting the dress and personal equipment of the army, as may be submitted to it by order of the Commander-in-Chief.

(vii) The Army Purchase Commission was appointed in 1871, on the abolition of purchase in the army, in order to adjust the claims of those officers who had purchased their commissions. Its labours are now nearly at an end. There are two commissioners-viz., the Deputy Judge Advocate General, and the Deputy Judge Advocate.

(viii) The Military Prison Department has its offices at the Home Office, Whitehall. It is under the Inspector-General of Military Prisons. He is assisted by two inspectors, who have under them the Governor of Gosport Prison,' and the chief warders in charge of the various military prisons at home and in the colonies (but not in India). The "Rules for military prisons made under the Army Discipline and Regulation Act, 1879, are published: the latest edition is that dated November, 1889.

(ix) The Tower of London.-" Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London" has from time immemorial had certain privileges attached to it. The Constable, who is always a distinguished general officer of the army, holds his appointment by Royal Letters Patent, and is honoured with the privilege of audience of, and direct communication with, the Sovereign. The Lieutenant is similarly appointed to act under the Constable, and acts for him with the full privileges and power of the Constable in the absence of the latter. The major, chaplain, and medical officer are appointed by commission. The government of the Tower as a fortress is carried on by the Constable under the orders of the Commander-in-Chief. 'Her Majesty's Regulations for the Tower of London," published by Royal command, contain further information on this subject.

(x) The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, built on the site of the Theological College of James I., subsequently demolished, was founded by Charles II., in 1682, as an asylum for wounded and superannuated soldiers, to be supported by contributions derived by deductions from the pay of the army.

The institution is directed by a body of ex officio Commissioners. Its administration, as well as the investigation of all claims to pension from the warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the whole army, is vested solely in the Commissioners, who are appointed by Letters Patent.

The governorship is conferred on field-marshals or retired general officers. The staff consists of a lieutenant-governor and secretary, three medical officers, a chaplain, adjutant, quartermaster, and six captains of invalids. There is also a civil establishment almost wholly engaged in the investigation of claims to out-pensions.

The only military prison in charge of a Governor.

There is accommodation for 538 in-pensioners, who are clothed and boarded at the expense of the State, the qualifications being :—

Good character; preference being given at all times to those who have borne the best characters and rendered the longest service, and who are shown to be:

(a) Incapable of supplementing their pensions by their own exertions, owing to the loss of a limb, wounds, or other injuries or disabilities resulting from army service.

(b) Incapable from other causes, provided that they are not under 55 years of age, and are in receipt of a permanent pension.

(c) Free from responsibility for support of wife or child. Out-pension ceases on admission, very small allowances of money being made to in-pensioners.

Applications are made to the Secretary, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, S.W.

(xi) The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin, is a similar establishment to that at Chelsea, and was also founded by Charles II. through the exertions of the then Viceroy of Ireland, the great Duke of Ormond. The number of pensioners provided for in the hospital is 140. The institution is managed under the Commissioners of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, by a master (tl.e general officer commanding the forces in Ireland), with two joint deputy masters (senior staff officers of the headquarters staff, Ireland), a secretary, medical officer, adjutant, quartermaster, and one captain of invalids.

The conditions for entrance are similar to those for the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.1

(xii) The Ordnance Survey Department.2-The Ordnance Survey derives its title from the fact that until 1870, when it was transferred to the Office of Works, it was carried out under the Board of Ordnance. In 1890 it was transferred to the Board of Agriculture.

A trigonometrical survey for the purpose of producing a military map of Great Britain was ordered in 1791; but it was not until 1797 that the production of a general military map of the kingdom, founded on a minute survey, was approved. This map was published on a scale of 1 inch to a mile.

Major-General Roy, Royal Engineers, who commenced the survey, placed its organization on a military basis, which it has ever since retained, The detail plans were commenced by Royal Engineer officers, and when owing to the war they became too much engaged, a corps of Royal Military Surveyors and Draughtsmen was formed for home and foreign service. To expedite the progress of the military map, civilian surveyors were engaged, and some portions of the country were surveyed by contract.

On the close of the war in 1815, the desire for the map, as a military map, ceased, and its progress became very slow.

In 1824 a survey of Ireland on a scale of 6 inches to a mile was ordered,

An interesting account of the Royal Hospital is to be found in the "Guide to the Royal Hospital, Dublin," by Lieutenant-Colonel Childers, Royal Engineers, and Robert Stewart. Price 6d.

2 See chap. xiii.

:

and in 1840, Scotland and the six northern counties of England were ordered to be surveyed on the same scale. The scales now in use were ordered on the 18th May, 1855. They are

1. or 126.72 inches to a mile for the plans of all towns with more than 4,000 inhabitants.

2.0 or 25 344 inches to a mile for the plans of all cultivated districts.

3. To or 6 inches to a mile for the United Kingdom.

4.3 or 1 inch to a mile for the United Kingdom.

Subsequently the preparation of maps of the United Kingdom on a scale of 4 miles to an inch, and 10 miles to an inch were authorized. The 1-inch map, which constitues the general military map of the kingdom, is published in two forms, in outline with contours, and with the hill features represented by vertical hachures.

The ordnance survey is carried out under the direction of the President of the Board of Agriculture by 24 officers of Royal Engineers; 4 companies, Royal Engineers, which were specially raised in 1824, 1825, and 1848, for service on the survey; 1,600 civilian assistants; and 440 labourers.

In addition to the conduct of all surveys on the larger scales, for civil purposes, and the publication of the plans derived therefrom, the ordnance survey department is responsible for the production and revision of the military map of the kingdom on the 1-inch scale; for the execution of special surveys for defence purposes; for the preparation of maps for peace manœuvres, and for War Department purposes; and for the production of copies of maps and plans for the Intelligence Division of the War Office. It is also responsible for the proper conduct of such surveys as may be necessary during a campaign, and is directed to maintain three survey sections, each consisting of 1 officer and 6 non-commissioned officers and men, complete with instruments and survey stores, in readiness for service with an army in the field. The department has also to provide men for special surveys beyond the limits of the kingdom when required to do so by the Govern

ment.

(xiii) The Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms.-In 1509, Henry VIII. incorporated a body of 50 "cadets of noble families " to form a military mounted body guard to his person. They were styled the King's "Pensioners and Spears," and history records many cases in which they have done good service. Charles II. reduced the number to 40. The chief revivals of the body took place in the reigns of James II. and George II. The title of gentlemen-pensioners was changed by William IV. to that they now bear, and at the coronation of Queen Victoria they adopted their present uniform. When on duty they carry a halberd. Previous to 1861, on which date the corps was reorganized by Her Majesty, commissions in the corps were purchased, but by the new regulations such purchase was abolished. The corps now consists of 40 gentlemen with a captain, always a peer; a lieutenant, who must be or have been a colonel or lieutenant-colonel in the army; a standardbearer, a clerk of the cheque, and a harbinger, who must be or have been lieu

1 See chap. xxxi. (end).

tenant-colonels. The private gentlemen must have been majors or captains in the army or Royal Marines.1 The Gentlemen-at-Arms attend the Sovereign on all court or state occasions. To join this corps an officer must have seen active service in the field and have a decoration. The corps is under the Lord Chamberlain, and the pay is provided for in the civil list.

(xiv) The Royal Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard is a very ancient body. The present corps was formally incorporated by Henry VII. in 1485. In the reign of Henry VIII. there were 200 of them, half of whom were mounted. They acquired their name of Beef-eaters in that reign and were in great favour during the reigns of Edward VI., Mary and Eliza. beth. At the Restoration their number was reduced to 100, which is the present establishment. As with the Gentlemen-at-Arms, this corps was reorganized in 1861, purchase of officers' commissions abolished, and future vacancies directed to be given to officers of the army of long and good service. The captain is always a peer, and goes out with each Ministry; the lieutenant must be or have been a colonel or lieutenant-colonel in the army; the ensign and clerk of the cheque, lieutenant-colonels or majors; the exons or exempts, captains; and the privates, non-commissioned officers not below the rank of sergeant. The " Yeomen Warders of the Tower," appointed by the Constable, forty in number, are recruited from the retired non-commissioned officers of the army, and are commanded by the Lieutenant of the Tower. They are honorary" members of the Yeomen of the Guard. They and the Yeomen of the Guard carry a partizan and wear a picturesque Tudor costume of scarlet.

(xv) The Royal Company of Archers of Scotland was incorporated in 1677. After the Revolution, it seems, the archers lay dormant until revived by Queen Anne. In 1788 we hear of them as taking part in a public shooting match for a prize given by George III. The claim of the company to be the body-guard of the Sovereign in Scotland was allowed on the occasion of the visit of George IV. to Scotland, and they continue to enjoy that privilege. The court dress is of green with gold embroidery and epaulettes, a cocked hat with plume of cock's feathers, and a sword. The "shooting" dress is a green tunic with crimson facings, green trousers, and a Highland cap with eagle's feather. The company numbers over 500, and comprises members of the nobility, gentry, and professional men of Scotland. The captaingeneral, who is always a peer, is gold stick for Scotland.*

1 See Clode, vol. i., p. 359.

"Her

2 For further particulars and details regarding the three body-guards of the Sovereign, see "The Nearest Guard," by Brackenbury, and Majesty's Army," by Richards.

Buffetiers, originally attendants upon the King's buffet. Other derivations have been suggested.

* See "The British Army," by Sir S. D. Scott, Bart., vol. ii., p. 150.

PART III.

THE ARMY IN INDIA AND COLONIAL FORCES.

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE ARMY IN INDIA.

1. Introductory.

Geographical and Ethnological. — India-the country to which the destiny of so many of our sons leads themis as a sealed book to those who have not visited it, owing to the great difference existing between its institutions and those of any other part of the world, and at the same time, to the difficulty of conveying any adequate description of its physical and social aspect, arising, partly, from the diversity of man and of nature observable in its many provinces.

The best advice to be given to those who would open this sealed book is that they should do so on the spot. Many of our readers will be able to follow this advice; but in the meantime a sketch of what they may expect to find, such as can be given in a few words, may not be out of place here and is offered for the use of those who may feel themselves in need of such information; perhaps they may soon find themselves thrown, whether as soldiers or administrators, into a position of responsibility towards the country and its natives.

Although part of a continent, India is virtually in an insular position, as regards communication with the outer world, in consequence of the obstacle presented by the difficult mountain region which bounds it from N.E. to N.W. round the whole of its land frontier. Practically, and

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