[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—I cannot resist sending you an illustration of the truth of your remarks upon courtesy towards soldiers. In 1855, when we were working under difficulties to get up our Militia regiments, we had in mine an old soldier acting temporarily as serjeant-major. He was a thorough good soldier, but of the old school, and always spoke offensively to the men ; during his time everything went badjy, and the men were sulky. Then we got a man of a different stamp, also a first- rate soldier, but one who was invariably courteous. He was for many years in the regiment, and I never heard him use an expression that might not have been used to a gentleman, or, indeed, with the exception of "My lads," to a lady either. From the day he joined us all went well, and the men worked with hearty good-will, so much so that the young soldiers used to get him to give them extra drill-instruction as a reward for smartness and good conduct.—I am, Sir, &cc.,
AN OLD MILITIA COLONEL.
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