212 UNASKED ADVICE. 



When quick work in the fiekl is required^ it is a 

 mistake to have too strong squadrons. The crowding 

 in an advance of very strong squadrons is much more 

 than when they are weak, and the steadiness of 

 the advance suffers accordingly. There has lately been 

 a rage for doing everything '^'^ inverted/' and doing 

 away with pivots ; and of this it may be said that such 

 drill demands an amount of intelligence in officers and 

 men that is desirable if attainable. The old-fashioned 

 inverted line is all very well, and by its use a regiment 

 can be made to front in any direction quickly ; but to 

 invert squadrons must be more or less confusing to the 

 men, especially in the smoke and confusion of an action. 

 The shortest way of reversing the front of a regiment is 

 by wheeling the squadrons about, which gives an inverted 

 line to the rear, and the regiment may work and march 

 home, too, inverted, if the commanding officer likes. 

 To do the same thing by wheeling the troops about is by 

 no means so convenient. In like manner, to form line to 

 the right from open column of squadrons right in front 

 by the old custom would be, ^^ To the reverse flank right 

 form line,'' the execution of which manoeuvre would give 

 time for a good deal of shooting to the foe on the right. 

 But nothing could be desired much quicker or more 

 simple than " Inverted line to the right. Squadrons right 

 wheel into line." There you are at once. If from 

 columns of troops squadrons would have to be formed in 

 the first instance, the trumpet-calls for " right " and 

 " left " should be unmistakeably distinct. A timely 

 wave of the colonel's sword in the direction required is 

 an immense help to every one. Space prevents a further 

 discussion of field movements ; and into the question of 

 Double versus Single Kank I cannot pretend to go. 



