394 GOOD MANNERS 



modern idea is skirmish drill, there is no need to lose the 

 military bearing of the old elbow-touch days. I have of 

 late abroad seen altogether too many soldiers of all ranks 

 with very poor carriage. On the whole, we need never 

 be ashamed of the West Point bearing, nor of the man- 

 ners of our old regular soldiers. And, by-the-way, my 

 friend, did it ever occur to you that, next to the manners 

 of a cultured man of the world, the manners of a self- 

 respecting old soldier were the best to be found ? Keep 

 your eye out and see if I am not right. And then seek 

 for the reason. 



