120 PINK AND SCARLET 



when going to the meet, or riding over the country, 

 in pursuit of the " himage " is more than likely to 

 find quickly a — at any rate tolerable — solution of a 

 suddenly propounded problem in the Real. 



May we run riot a minute ? 



Yes ! Well, it always seems to us that some- 

 thing like the following is the way to inspect a 

 Regiment. 



The General unexpectedly rides into barracks ; 

 " Good-morning, Colonel, I'll come and hear you tell 

 off your prisoners, if there are any. Then I'll see 

 what men you have got on parade." The prisoners 

 are told off, and the corps parades ; the General then 



says — *' Now, we'll march out to as if in an 



enemy's country." The advanced guard goes out, 

 the Regiment follows, etc., etc. The General, riding 

 alongside the Colonel, suddenly says — " Now, 

 Colonel, you are fired at from so-and-so, what will 

 you do ? " Something (or nothing), good, bad, or 

 indifferent, is done, and they march back to 

 barracks. The General then says, " Now I'll have 

 a look at your books, see your men's dinners, and 

 lunch in the mess with you." 



This is the best of trials, and is, in fact, like 

 trying a horse an naturel, i.e. without his being 

 gingered, if a phlegmatic sluggish brute, or being 

 physicked, if a rearing or runaway devil. 



Given a week's or a fortnight's notice of the 

 approach of the General, the worst of corps can be 

 got into some sort of shape, as the biggest brute of 

 a horse can be prepared for a customer, by being 



