Life of Count Rumford. 173 



come free of cost for such use to the government, as it 

 might serve afterwards for making cartridges. 



Regarding habitual idleness, especially that of sol- 

 diers in their quarters, as most fatal to morals, Thomp- 

 son's scheme comprised not only schools of instruction, 

 but also houses of industry. The soldiers and their 

 children were to have the raw material for various kinds 

 of work furnished them, when off duty, and they were 

 to dispose of the results of their labor without account- 

 ing to anybody. Besides being allowed to retain their 

 old uniforms, they were supplied gratis with working- 

 suits of strong canvas. It was found that they could 

 earn by their industry between three and four times as 

 much as their pay. The soldiers were p.ut to employ- 

 ment as laborers in all public works, like making and 

 repairing roads, draining marshes, and repairing the banks 

 of rivers ; while a band of music would often be pro- 

 vided to inspirit their work, and sports, games, and 

 various amusements were encouraged for their holidays. 

 Paid officers were sent to oversee them when detached 

 in working parties. A large number of the soldiers in 

 garrison were allowed to be absent in rotation at their 

 country homes for ten and a half months in each year, 

 where they might mingle with the peasantry, help re- 

 cruiting, and apply themselves to agriculture and manu- 

 factures. The regimental garrisons were made perma- 

 nent, that soldiers might be near their homes, a 



O J 



measure that was very advantageous on account of the 

 scarcity of husbandmen. It was through the soldiers 

 trained in the garrisons to industry and skill that 

 Thompson expected to extend useful improvements 

 over the whole country. Though in some parts of the 

 Elector's domains agriculture was carried to great per- 



