COURTESY.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR." J
SIR,—Your article on "Courtesy," in the Spectator of October 3rd, does not, I venture to think, leave quite a fair impres- sion on the mind with regard to the " courtesy " with which we English officers treat our men.
I have seen something of Continental Armies, and from my experience I certainly hold that in no European Army, not excepting the French, is the soldier treated with such con- sideration, tact, and temper, and (although this does not bear directly on the point at issue) is his comfort and well-being so looked after by his officer, as in the English service.
The quiet and " non-bullying " (to invent an adjective) manner of our officers to their men is one of the characteristics on which foreign officers are accustomed to remark when seeing anything of English troops. English officers compare, I think, very favourably with foreign officers in all respects except one—viz., we return the salutes of our men very in- differently—this is a point which the writer of the article on " Courtesy " omitted to make. Even in this respect, however, the English officer has of late mach improved, and when the authorities (as it is hoped they will do before long) lay down definite instructions on the subject, it is hoped that even this reproach against us will be removed.—I am, Sir, SLc., COLONEL.
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