THE KOYAL AETILLERY INSTITUTION. 
43 
either to the right or left, the wheel-horse on the inner side of the circle 
seemed to suffer from striking, his fore legs against the cross-bar (hooked on 
to the end of the pole), to which the traces are attached for the rest of the 
team. This will be easily understood when it is remembered that the pole 
has considerable play in a vertical direction, and consequently can rise nearly 
as high as the wheel horses* breast, or sink as low as below their knees, 
according as the draught is applied; and when the wheel takes place, the 
upward strain is not only converted into a lateral one, and the pole to a 
certain degree released and allowed to sink, but the cross-bar is also much 
inclined to the pole. The result of this was evident even in the action of 
some of the horses, as one could see them lift their fore legs as if they 
quite expected hard knocks. There was a good deal of attention shown in 
pointing and laying; quickness did not seem to be nearly so much con¬ 
sidered as accuracy with the young hands. 
The next soldiers I saw on parade were the Bavarians. These fellows I 
had seen the evening before at bayonet exercise, and marked the determined 
expression of their almost hairless faces as in two opposing ranks they went 
through points, thrusting towards one another with right good will. As I 
saw their firm-set mouths, and watched these small but wiry men handling 
their rifles with bayonet, I could well realise the stories told of them when 
they once became excited. This morning, however, they were in marching 
order, and going through battalion drill, which they performed in first-rate 
style, marching splendidly in line, “ blocking up '' well, and both deploying 
and forming square with wonderful quickness and precision. The square 
consisted of two ranks, and, to speak more accurately, was a rectangle. 
These men were armed with the Werder rifle (which, as most are aware, is 
very like the Martini-Henry with two triggers) and a short sword at their 
side, as well as the bayonet on the rifle; the ammunition pouch was on the 
waistbelt and in front. The cowskin knapsacks were fastened on with shoulder- 
straps, cloaks rolled round outside, and a good and useful water-bottle—like 
a tourist's very large flat brandy flask—hanging at the side, with a tin cup 
that fitted it at the bottom. The other regiments which I saw—Prussian 
infantry and Uhlans—are too well known to need description here. 
Before leaving Metz I was able to see something of the outworks, and as 
most of them stand on considerable elevations above the town, the interior 
of which would be exposed to fire from them if once captured, I may perhaps 
be excused, at the risk of becoming tedious, if I offer a few observations 
regarding them. These works are Fort St. Quentin, Fort des Carrieres, 
Fort St. Julien, Fort de Quealeau, and Fort de St. Privat, and the Prussians 
are at present busily engaged in strengthening and completing them, 
evidently fully realising their importance. One of the nearest and the most 
elevated. Fort St. Quentin, stands on a hill about 300 ft. high and 2100 yds. 
from Metz, and from it one can obtain a very good view of the interior of the 
city. From the heights of St. Quentin the observer has a good opportunity 
of speculating as to the most probable points of Metz on which long-range 
artillery fire would be directed; and as the city is built on a slope, the 
general direction of which is downwards towards the foot of the hill on 
which St. Quentin stands, one can obtain almost a bird's-eye view of the 
works. Forts St. Quentin and Carrieres, left unfinished by the French, are 
now approaching completion; and from what I saw there I am led to believe 
