5 SEPTEMBER 1903, Page 19

[TO TER Enrros 01 THE " SPECTATOR."' SIR, — May I recall

the cause of the British regiments ad- vancing with drums sounding ? The Duke had given orders that the signal for their advance was to be a drum sounding. Their commander's knowledge of German being somewhat deficient, he construed the order to be that he was to advance with drums beating, which he did, to what purpose we know

(see Carlyle's "Frederick ").—I am, Sir, Scc., J. S.