Page:Once a Week Volume V.djvu/451

 444 a breast covered with medals won among the snows and withering fire of the Crimea, and under the burning skies of India, during the suppression of the terrible mutiny of the native troops; and among them beats many a noble heart decorated with the Victoria Cross, the reward of daring valour in the charge, heroic calm in the deadly breach, or even the more glorious feat of bearing off a wounded comrade from an otherwise certain death. And now they are wheeling into contiguous columns, and the hitherto long line of men shrinks into a compact mass of dark blue, relieved by the waving pennons and scarlet jackets of the Lancers. The entire parade presents arms, the band plays, and in a few minutes the ground is once more deserted.

The libraries of the officers, and of the non-commissioned officers and gunners, are well deserving of a visit, though unhappily the latter prefer novels and works of fiction to the reading of healthy literature; the schools of the children and of the soldiers are full of interest, the adults are divided into four classes and an advanced class. The studies include reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, history (sacred and profane), more particularly the histories of England, the British Colonies, Rome, and Greece; with algebra, mathematics, fortification, book-keeping, mensuration, mechanics, and annals of the wars, English composition, and the Book of Health. The Institution embraces besides a theatre for lectures, chemistry room, library, and class-room, a very interesting military museum, containing weapons and models in different stages towards completion, swords, tulwars, Chinese gingals and matchlocks, chain shot, bows and arrows, rocket-cases, war clubs, paddles, stone adzes, preparations of carpentry, tents, fortifications, rope mantlets, patterns of old uniforms, and a small collection of birds, beasts, shells, reptiles, and geological specimens.

Should games be given by any of the brigades, as is not unfrequently the case, the feats of strength, activity, and adroitness attract a large crowd of spectators. Lines of rope include a course for hurdle and flat races, a solid block for lead-cutting, spaces for running in sacks, and for performances of the most amusing and various character. The good nature of the competitors, the orderly conduct of the spectators, the presence of numerous ladies, and the music of the regimental band, combine to render the animated scene one of the most agreeable entertainments which can be witnessed.

In conclusion, we can wish our good friend the reader no more agreeable termination to the day than an invitation to the mess-dinner, when he will have the opportunity of seeing not only one of the handsomest entertainments served in a grand room, but some interesting pieces of plate—a superb centre-piece valued at 1200 guineas,—a palm tree, bearing branches for lights, the gift of King William IV.—a mounted kettle-drummer, with snuff in his silver drums, presented by the 4th Light Dragoons—and a large mortar of similar material, given by the 17th Lancers in acknowledgment of courteous hospitality. If unable to procure the enjoyment of this pleasant evening, he must turn away with recollections of marchings and counter-marchings, imposing salutes, thundering volleys, rapid skirmishes, charges, parades, massive columns, and gay uniforms; and while he descends the hill to the railway station, with the music of the retreat sounding blithely in the parades as he passes the men hurrying back to their quarters, he will have the satisfaction of having witnessed and being able to bear testimony to the resolute bearing, the steady demeanor, and the admirable discipline, exact as if governed by mechanism, but the result of a perfect system of intellectual training, that mark a regiment which will never belie the motto it bears, “Quo fas et gloria ducunt.”

2em

“ in the wind now?” cried out the English traveller, fiercely.

“Le diable—what is it that this is?” demanded the officer of gens d’armes.

For it was the hour of the table d’hôte in the great hotel, and a little sensation had arisen suddenly, which threatened to delay the serving of dinner. There was an arrival at the hotel. Nothing out of the common way one would imagine; but, in the first place, we are speaking of the great hotel of a great provincial city some forty years ago, when travelling was not so easy as it is in these days: in the next, a new governor had been for some time expected in the province, and the new arrival had an illustrious and princely appearance. Besides which, when one, more daring than the rest, ventured to inquire concerning Monsieur’s probable sojourn in the hotel, &c., the stranger had answered mysteriously, “N’importe, mon enfant; in effect you will know time enough.”

“Mon Dieu!” exclaimed a bystander, “if it should be Monsieur the Governor himself, for example.”

So the sensation arose amongst the waiters and communicated itself to the guests.

“What is it that this is?” demanded the officer.

“Pardon, m’sieu, they say that Monsieur the Governor arrives, unknown?”

“How! The new Governor—possible.”

“All the world believes it, m’sieu.”

The guests became excited. The Comptroller of the Customs dropped his napkin with an ejaculation; the lean Count, with a large ancestry and a small estate, assumed an aristocratic bearing befitting his rank and descent; a young avocat gave utterance to a prolonged sacr-r-r-e, and the Milord Anglais said “Hang him!” for he was hungry, and did not see why an individual who chose to be incog., and who was probably nobody, should interfere with his dinner.

The door opened wide, however, and admitted the illustrious unknown, who was accompanied by a lady, his wife of course.

His martial aspect commanded reverence at once. His height was majestic, his moustaches were immense, his bearing was noble. At his appearance all the guests rose respectfully, a groan however being audible from the Englishman’s end of the table. And the lean Count was observed