22 APRIL 1854, Page 12

THE BRITISH GRENADIER AND HIS TAILOR.

with the coxcombry of pipe-clay, we must deal with facts as we find them, and not force discontent upon the soldier by giving him an ugly costume. The dress should be suited to the service for whioh the man is destined—for travelling in swamps, fighting under a hot sun, marching -in marshes, or bivouacking in cold nights; and yet it should be capable of preserving something of a cheerful and efficient-looking aspect under rough treatment ; and yet again, it should be of a kind whfch might be massed in the state picture of a peace parade. The dignity and pride of the Government and the efficiency of the soldier—the spirit of the corps, the liking of the individual—the distinction of enemies from foes, and the necessities of exposure to hostile marksmen— dictate those many but not perfectly incompatible exigencies. The beau ideal for a working costume would perhaps be designed by working officers of practical experience ; and it is affirmed by the lively correspondent whom the Times has sent as its provvedi- tore, that such a man milliner, designing his works of art on the battle-field, would not oblige the men to cut their chins with hasty shaving, would not give them loose trousers to scramble through thorny thickets with, cramp their necks with stiff stocks, or ham- per their heads with bearskin counterfeits of a lady's muff. There may be some truth in this • but many considerations would check the practical tailor. English feeling would scarcely tolerate Alba- nian costume for the British Grenadiers ; the patron saint, St. George, would be offended by relinquishing the national colour— red, or submit to a working-class style of costume suitable enough for trappers and irregulars but revolting in a regiment under the Horse Guards. The soldiers themselves have affections for some of the most doubtful parts of their costumes ; and the British grena- dier would be as reluctant to relinquish the bearskin muff which he balances on his head, as a Norman peasant-girl to abandon her towering mob-cap. How would not the British grenadier fall in the esteem of " the girl I left behind me," if he were to appear be- fore her in an Albert shako ! It is reported that the last reform, a grey coat for cavalry regiments, looks plebeian and canvass-like : the bystanders laugh, and the warriors blush.

Why cannot these reforms be tried before whole regiments be committed to them ? Why must the British grenadier exhibit himself unadvisedly " in Badajoz's breeches," without ascertaining whether the breeches are becoming or not ? Soldiers, Roman, Mediaeval—and we had almost said British, but critical doubts restrain us—have managed to carry on active warfare in good working dress, which yet appeared comely on battle-field or pa- rade. What is the Department of Practical Art about P Let us have a few shakos, neck-ties, coats, pantaloons, and boots, conform- ing to artistic principles, and yet not repulsive to parade-master, clothing-colonel, public, nor British grenadier.