210 UNASKED ADVICE. 



have mucli to put in them ?) ; but on service they are 

 mighty handy things. Also a waistcoat should be worn 

 under a loose jacket in winter. For the legs, boots and 

 breeches are the most comfortable; but none of our 

 dragoons have them, presumably for the reason that, if 

 the boots were being repaired, the man could not turn 

 out, and that two pairs per man would take too much 

 room.* Well, there is no great fault to find with the 

 present overalls in fine weather ; but boots and breeches 

 are infinitely preferable in wet. In camp, anyone may 

 observe that when the weather is wet the soldier tucks 

 his trousers inside his boots on all possible occasions; 

 whilst officers, if they are allowed to, come out in butcher 

 boots at once. But this is a question which no civilian 

 can decide upon. On the headdress anyone may give an 

 opinion. For cold climates a light helmet, and for hot 

 a turban, is my notion ; and if all troops had white cap 

 covers to their forage caps for summer wear, as they have 

 in India, we should hear less of " fatal marches." This 

 would be hard on the penny-a-liners ; but still it is an ill 

 wind that blows nobody any good. A light curb chain 

 run over the shoulder and down the arms is a wonderful 

 protection against sword cuts, and would not be ex- 

 pensive. The sabretache has been much abused, and is 

 now only worn by certain regiments ; its chief merit is 

 to keep the sword or scabbard steady, and no trifling- 

 merit either. Of course the sword belt would be worn 

 under a loose jacket. Apropos of boots and breeches, if 

 the Household Brigade and Irregular Indian Cavalry can 

 wear them, why cannot other regiments ? But white 



* Since the above vras written boots and pantaloons have been 

 tried, but for the reason given here are to be discontinued, two- 

 pair of boots and spurs per man being incompatible with the princi- 

 ples of economy now rampant at the "War Office. 



