PRINCIPAL GARDENERS—WILLIAM MCNAB. 299 
Prior to the Volunteer movement taking shape at Kew the 
Militia Ballot would seem to have caused anxiety to the staff of 
gardeners, and the following document in McNab’s writing (now 
in the possession of Miss McN ab), whilst it is witness to young 
McNab’s force by showing that already within two years of his 
arrival at Kew he was a leading spirit on the staff, has the 
further interest of an illustration of what must have been a not 
uncommon procedure in the existing state of the country :-— 
‘“‘ Kew Gardens, 8th er 1802. 
Sno e Hurst, John Wheatly, Dun. Mont ntgom ery, Danie 
Faucet” ae Fenn, "Adam Taylor, Romeo Forbes. 
Pepper. | Rank and File | sixty |. Fugel-man | Two Drummers | Two Fifes | 
ourer.”| Pages 5 and 6 are occupied by ‘‘ The Engagement,” as follows :— 
“That Riat Member of the Kew Volunteer Company of Infantry, now formed in 
the Parish of Kew, in the County of Surrey, doth freely and willingly engage himself 
to serve in the said Company of Volunteers, a to the a of Service 
Prescribed in the Defence Acts of George III., Chaps. 96, 120, a d 121, namely, 
that whenever called upon by the Direction of ine Majesty, he will voluntarily 
march to repel /nvasion, or for the suppression of Riots and Tum ults, according 
to the Provisions and Clauses in the said Acts, claiming and enjoying the 
Exemptions, Benefits, and Privileges therein provided ; and that he will faithfully 
to the several Duties, Rules, a rip no eit established, to which he 
= his assent.” Then folie the ‘* Rules 
* Perhaps the luck ef the Ballot took away one t the ak and absorbed the funds 
of the Society, for amongst Wm. McNab’s papers there is also this other document 
recording the institution of.a new Society in little more than six months’ time :—- 
“ Kew Gardens, 18th July 1803. 
** We the undersigned have agreed to form a Society for the purpose of alleviating 
the burthen which would fall upon the individuals who may chance to be balloted to 
Serve in the Militia or the Army of Reserve. It is proposed that each member 
