688 Mr. Savage Landor, with the Allies in China. [May 31, 



machine-like, and all so perfectly alike in height, build and shape, 

 that they seemed made in the same mould. The contrast between 

 them and the natural, easy-going Americans was great. It was so 

 great that when they came in with their extraordinary parade march — 

 as unnatural a way of locomotion as was ever invented — there was a 

 general semi-suppressed laughter, drowned at once in " hurrahs." 

 One could not but admire the way they were drilled, their training 

 being absolutely perfect — that is, if a soldier who is a machine is to 

 be taken as a model soldier. 



If one received a mental shock at the contrast of the American 

 and German warriors, we had now a greater one when the French 

 marched in. 



The poor fellows seemed so exhausted that they could scarcely 

 walk. Their uniforms were in a dreadful state. They hardly showed 

 the French army at its best — but how could they ? These men had 

 been for several years in the murderous climate of Saigon, whence 

 they had been despatched to Pekiu, where they had just arrived. It 

 is to be regretted that France was not better represented, for we all 

 knew she could easily have made a better show. 



A curious incident, noticed by few, happened. The Russian band 

 had been playing, at the full power of their lungs, the ' Marseillaise,' 

 the Republican march of France, but a forbidden air in the mon- 

 archical neighbouring country of Italy. 



As the French were meagrely represented, the Italians came 

 immediately behind them, just as the ' Marseillaise ' was in full 

 swing. The Russian general discovered the faux pas at once, and 

 tried in vain to signal the bandmaster to stop. The musicians were 

 blowing their hardest when the general's aide-de-camp was des- 

 patched across the line to them. Just in time. In a hurry-scurry 

 fashion the Republican march ceased abruptly, and the ' Inno Reale ' 

 of Italy was struck up, much to the reassurance and relief of the 

 Italians, who seemed perplexed to march under an air foreign and 

 distasteful to their ears. 



They looked very manly and neat, well drilled, and carried them- 

 selves splendidly. They were much admired and cheered. 



So was the small and last contingont — the Austrian Marines — 

 which worthily ended this marvellous International parade through 

 the Forbidden City. 



[A. H. S. L.] 



