" [To THE PUBLISHER OF THE 'DUBLIN JOURNAL.']
Sin,—As several in this dangerous conjunction have undertaken to advise the public, I am encouraged to hope that a hint con- cerning the dress of our soldiers may not be thought impertinent.
The body of a man is an engine. Its force should be managed to produce its full effect where it is most wanted • and ought not, therefore, in time of action to be dissipated on useless
ornaments Sleeves, facings, caps, flaps, tall caps, double breasts, laces, frogs, cockades, plaited shirts, shoulder knots, belts, and buttons more than enough are so many drawbacks or obstacles to a soldier's exerting his strength in the proper way, in marching, fighting, and pursuing Our sailors seem the best dressed of all our forces ; and what is sufficient for a sailor may serve for a soldier. Their dress, therefore, I would recom- mend to the landsmen [unless] any other can be contrived yet more succinct Soldiers thus clad will be more light, clever and alert; and, when the eye bath been a little used to
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