The new Society of Army Historical Research is rapidly gaining
ground, and the fourth quarterly number of its Journal (Royal United Service Institution, 6s. net) is even more interesting than those which preceded it. A section which will prove highly popular is devoted to military notes and queries ; it contains, for instance, a tragic letter from a survivor of Colborne's Brigade which was cut to pieces at Albuera by the French cavalry, losing two-thirds of its numbers. Major Hodson prints an account of the " Shop " at Woolwich in 1809, and there are learned con- tributions on mediaeval artillery ;the evolution of the gorget, and old army lista. Captain Mackay Scebie discusses the Black Watch tartan. It was, he says, a Government pattern, probably adapted from a Campbell tartan, which was imposed on all the six companies of Highlanders raised in 1725, whereas the earlier Highland companies had had their own tartans. It was worn by many Highland corps that had nothing to do with the Black Watch. The unknown designer was a practical man ; no other tartan wears so well, as Scottish parents know.
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