THE "SPECTATOR" HOME GUARDS FUND.... [To THE EDITOR nv THE
SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The writer, though a subscriber and supporter of over a quarter of a century, is not sending a subscription to the above Fund for the following reason. He is, in short, spending. it on a " Volunteer Training Corps." Stimulated largely by the Spectator, we have just started on our remote moorland, where centuries ago the Romans set up their altars—the ars:efts:San& Insperii Romani—a small company which we hope to affiliate with the Central Association. Some of us are Guides and Special Constables, but here the opportunity for action on those lines is remote, so that the prospect of drill and shooting and the feeling of being prepared for the defence of one's country in the last resort have made our volunteers quite keen. The village wit has christened 112 "The Fighting Metbriselabs," and we rejoice in the title. Our drill sergeant is an old Volunteer. The organiza- tion is, of course, absolutely democratic, and the squire' helps to push his gamekeeper into position, or is similarly. assisted by his neighbour's keeper, when "Form fours" is the command as the company is marching in "open order." Now what is wanted is that in each remote hamlet or " out- bye " village such companies should be formed of those over the fighting age, who have no opportunity of showing their love of country otherwise. The men become really interested, they understand better the accounts of the war that they read, and, lastly, it increases their self-respect. It would be very interesting if the Spectator could inform its readers how many "Home Guards" or " Volunteer Training Corps" men are being drilled in England at the present time.—I am, Sir, &c., A MOORLAND SQUIRE.
[Over a quarter of a million men are already affiliated, and some fifty corps seek and obtain affiliation each week. It ie probable that if the members of all corps started but not yet affiliated to the Central were reckoned the total numbers of the new Volunteers would be a good deal over a million. We hope and expect that before the end of June there will be a million and a half men in affiliated corps, and that of these nearly a million will be proficient in drill, shooting, and digging: Good luck to "the fighting Methuselahs of the Moore." May the grim ghosts of the Legionaries greet them with a sonorous
"Avete, magnanimi Britanni."—ED. Spectator.] •
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