A MILITARY CURIOSITY.
Digging in that arid region the Army Estimates, we alighted upon an indication of the existence of a really funny military curiosity. It is this, that her Majesty's Brigade of Guards have solicitors ! We could not have believed it upon the faith of anything short of the Estimates. There it stands in black and white—Three solicitors of the Guards, 691. odd each. , But having discovered the existence of these peculiar officers, how are we to account for them ? Upon what theory of development, or other theory ? Why should there be solicitors for the Guards ? Are the Guards' officers peculiarly litigious that they entertain three limbs of the law ? Why should there not be a " standing counsel" for the Guards, the execu- tive of the legal triumvirate ? Are the legal gentlemen retained to fill an office in the Brigade similar to that of the Remembrancer in the City ? Are they really the Clerks of the Guards Pipe or Roll of privileges ? Do these Military solicitors wear any uniform, and what ? We should like to see one en grande tenue. Are they drilled and inspected ; do they parade ? When the Guards march—to Finchley or otherwhere—what place do these gentlemen take up in the column Or are they impedimenta of the non- essential sort, and as such left at home ? One thing is certain, that the country pays 2071. per annum for their services, whatever these may be. Such odd appendages do not exist in any other regiment ; Why in the Guards ?
Perhaps on the principle that the Guards have an Inspector to themselves. It may be that the existence of such a formidable body in the Brigade as three solicitors necessitates that post which Lord Rokeby fills. We beg to hand in our "submission" to General Peel for an explanation of this singular military phenomenon ?