3 
great effect in the future, considering tlie extraordinary improvement made in 
recent years both in guns and projectiles, and now that I have seen the way in 
which officers, non-commissioned officers and men have responded to the call I 
made upon them for a higher standard of shooting and fire discipline, the im¬ 
provement in these respects during the seven years of my command in this 
country has been thoroughly satisfactory, and what is equally satisfactory is that 
it has not been made at the expense of the turn-out of guns or horses, or of the 
general smartness on parade and in quarters, for which the Boyal Begiment of 
Artillery is so justly celebrated. This marked advance is mainly due to the 
exertions of Major-General Nairne, late Inspector-General of Artillery, whose 
unfailing tact and energy, and quite exceptional knowledge of all Artillery sub¬ 
jects enabled him to be of the greatest assistance to me. General Nairne has 
lately been succeeded by General Lewes who will, I am sure, continue the good 
work which his predecessor so ably began. Soldiers, farewell; it is not one of 
the least of my regrets on leaving India to have to say this word to my own 
famous Begiment. I shall always remember the willing and cheerful manner in 
which you all have worked under my command, and I am not likely to forget the 
splendid body of men I see before me for the last time. I am confident that, 
whatever duty you may be called upon to perform, or whatever enemy you may 
have to meet, I shall always hear that the Boyal Artillery in India have upheld 
their high reputation and done honour to the Begiment to which we are all so 
proud of belonging. 
DOYEK. 
The following changes in officers have occurred since last “ Notes.” Major N. 
Maxwell has assumed command of the 17th Siege Train Company, Captain H. H. 
Bich has joined from I.W.S. Mauritius, in place of Captain Douglas ; Lieut. 
Parker has left for St. Lucia, and Lieut. James has joined the Depot in his place. 
Captain Bickman has been struck off the strength on being placed on half-pay. 
The Mess has been enriched lately by the presentation of engravings of two 
former Colonels-on-the-Staff, in response to an appeal of the Mess Secretary, 
who is trying to secure portraits of all former Officers Commanding B.A., since 
Colonel Burke-Cuppage’s time, in 1861; these two are of General Gibbon, C.B., 
who commanded here from 1872 to 1877, presented by himself, and the other 
is of the late Colonel C. B. Brackenbury, who commanded here from 1886 to 
1887, presented by General Brackenbury, C.B., Member of Council, Calcutta. 
The Begimental paper of the 27tli, “ The Sprig of Shillelagh,” has the follow¬ 
ing :—“ A most enjoyable dance was given by the Gunners at the B.A. Mess, 
Castle, on January 13th. The arrangements were very good, the supper excel¬ 
lent, and a special word of praise must be given to the sitting-out places. Danc¬ 
ing took place in the Mess-room, which was decorated with flowers, and the 
Woolwich Band, perfect as to time and tune, as usual, was hidden at one end of 
the room by a screen of plants and greenery, which had a very pretty effect. 
The programme comprised no less than four Pas de Quakes , always a great 
feature in Dover ball-rooms. Dancing was kept up with great spirit till two 
o’clock, and the hosts are to be congratulated on a thoroughly successful evening.” 
