DECEMBER 237 



controversy, the tonsure argument, or the squabble 

 about the right date of Easter. Which was orthodox 

 the Grenadier's ' Shoolah HUMPS ' or the Coldstream 

 with his ' Shalloo HICE ' ? Manifestly both could not 

 be right; and, forasmuch as uncertainty is deplorable 

 in a word of command, two schools arose in that 

 nascent corps brothers in arms, but opponents in 

 practice. 



Howbeit, as aforesaid, I have none of the literature 

 which heralded the nativity of the British Volunteers 

 to refer to. These reflections take their rise in a little 

 volume before me in time-darkened calf. Perhaps few 

 less promising sources of entertainment could be offered 

 an unprofessional reader than a drill book; yet The 

 Exercise of the Foot, published in 1690 'by their 

 Majesties' Command,' is worth more than a passing 

 glance, were it only for the insight it affords into the 

 instruction of those fine troops wherewith Marlborough 

 was to win renown. 



In 1690 Parliament voted supply for an English 

 army of 62,000 men ; which number was increased in 

 the following year to 65,000 ; but upon the peace of 

 1697 the establishment was reduced to 7000 men in 

 England and 12,000 in Ireland. A battalion in those 

 days was not armed homogeneously as at present ; 

 every infantry company was made up of musketeers, 

 grenadiers, and pikemen. The last-named seem to 

 have had no fire-arms; but the grenadiers carried 

 muskets and bayonets. After firing one round they 

 slung their muskets and threw their grenades. 



Field movements were few, slow, and commendably 



