MILITARY UNIFORM.
THE OFFICIAL METHOD OF IMPEDING MUSCULAR MOVEMENT IN SOLDIERS.
(To 'FRE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Three or four years ago I was at a village school-feast. A young Artilleryman staying with friends in the village was there. He wished to take part in an impromptu game of foot- ball, but before he could begin to play be had to retire and remove most of his uniform. First his jacket had to go, it was so tight that it was impossible to breathe in it. Next his cap, which, of course, would have tumbled off at the first quick movement. Then, as he had to play in his trousers, they had to be made as little obstructive as possible. After borrowing a knife and working away diligently for some time, the unfortunate gunner managed to remove the straps under the soles of his boots, and so got some freedom for his legs. During the game we all wondered at the miracle which pie- vented his trousers splitting up all their seams. I wonder if getting a gun over a rough bit of ground is much lighter work than playing impromptu football on a flat field. I saw my friend again after be had been at the relief of Ladysmith. He was more sensibly clothed, but the absurd high collar remained. Those marvellous people, our sailors, bare arrived at a perfect dress. It is beautiful to look at, exactly fitted to its use, and the men make this uniform themselves ! I refuse to believe that soldiers are inherently inferior to sailors. The fault lies with the hide-bound authorities, and the awful British worship of forms in dress. The whole business makes one say with Carlyle, "There are more fools in the world than
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