4 
time before, kindly obtained leave from tlie Colonel of liis regiment (tlie 13th of 
Field Artillery) to give me a window in the Artillery Barracks from which to 
witness the parade. It was held in the “Castro Pretorio,” where the cavalry and 
artillery of the garrison of Borne are quartered. The available space for forming 
up was as near as possible 220 X 220 yards, or somewhat larger than the B.H.A. 
Square at Aldershot, and into this space the whole garrison (some 6000 men) was 
packed. The infantry was drawn up in four lines of company 1 quarter columns. 
Battalion in Company Column. 
Each regiment is composed of three battalions, and each battalion has four com¬ 
panies of four sections. On the right of each regiment were (1) the pioneers; 
(2) the bugle band; (8) the band. The cavalry and artillery regiments composed 
the 5tli line—in rear. The 13th Begiment of Field Artillery had six (four-gun) 
batteries on parade. I went purposely very early (8.30 a.m.) so as to see the 
regiments arrive, and although the hour fixed for the King’s arrival was 10 o’clock, 
I found that one or two battalions had already marched in. By about 9 o’clock 
the parade w T as formed and at 10.15 the King arrived, accompanied by the pro¬ 
verbial “brilliant and distinguished staff. 51 ’ 1 counted 202, but believe there 
w T ere a few more! On the arrival of the King a Boyal Salute was given, the 
whole of the troops saluting in the usual way, the bands continuing to play, and 
the officers and men remaining at the salute for some minutes. The King then 
rode down the front of each line, inspecting very closely. This took about 20 
minutes. He was not (as with us) preceded by a portion of the Staff, but led the 
way himself. There was no “ feu-de-joie ” or “ three cheers.” On completion 
of the inspection the King rode off with his Staff and took up his position in the 
“ Piazza Independence,” just outside the barrack gates. The troops defiled there 
en route to their respective barracks, the infantry leading, followed by the cavalry 
and artillery, as is the universal practice in Italy. This is certainly a good plan, 
as the ground is preserved in better order for those on foot. It was very hot 
whilst the troops 'were standing on parade, but only one man fell out—though the 
men were in an “order” more approaching our “Marching Order” than anything 
else. In Italy the infantry seem to carry the knapsack 2 in all orders—even 
recruits wear them at drill as soon as they have got over the “goose step ” and 
other elementary work. I thought the men looked very young (they join at 20), 
but was immensely surprised to hear afterwards from Colonel Slade (our Military 
Attache) that, on an average, each battalion of infantry had 100 men in the ranks 
(out of the peace establishment of 400) who had only joined on the 1st of March 
(a fortnight before!) This was certainly a wonderful achievement, and speaks 
volumes for the barrack-square system. The Field Artillery drivers also had nearly 
all joined so late as the 1st December, 1892. It seems the conscripts know some 
time beforehand what regiment or corps they have to join on a certain date, and 
do all they can to smarten themselves up in anticipation. They all take oppor¬ 
tunities to go to their Begimental District Head-quarters (there are some 80 of 
such in Italy) some time before and get measured for their uniforms, etc. It is, 
therefore, possible to despatch them to join their regiments the day after they 
report themselves at the Begimental District Head-quarters. 
Except for the regiments of “Alpini,” there is no territorial system in Italy. 
Each regiment contains men from the several Begimental (or Becruiting) Districts. 
1 The formation is called company column, but I have described it as quarter column, there be¬ 
ing only six paces between the front rank of one company and front rank of the next. 
2 The hairy French pattern, 
