MOUNTAIN ARTILLERIES OF FRANCE. AND - ITALY. 261 
artillery arrangements and methods, whether always suitable or other- 
wise. The above was an example of ‘ otherwise” they considered. I 
saw no signs of galls, although the Battery had been undergoing some 
rough work and long marches for six weeks. 
The officers’ and mounted men’s cobs are the most serviceable chargers 
for warfare of a mountainous or irregular nature I have seen-and much 
superior to any in our. Mountain Batteries whether in India or at. home. 
SADDLERY. 
The pack-saddlery is very roughly finished and dirty, somewhat re- 
sembling that of hired transport mules in India in condition. The 
pads are serge-lined, stuffed with horse-hair.. A leather lining instead 
of serge was being experimented with. There are practically only 
three different pattern cradles in the Battery. One for the gun and 
wheel mules, one for the carriage mule, and a third for the ammunition 
mule, slightly modified for baggage, &c. The side pieces, front to 
rear arches are deeper and are continued right down to the bottom of 
the pads, making the cradle much heavier, but doubtless necessary as 
the loads are heavier than in our Mountain Batteriés. 
The girth is a single broad leather band passing under the stomach 
—not girth-—and fastened to metre straps on either side like our body 
rollers with a strip of raw hide to a D on either side with a Hungarian 
knot. ‘The breast pieces and breechings are similar in pattern to ours, 
but there are no adjusting chains, and the supporting strap breast-piece 
is attached to D’son either side of front arch of cradle. All top-loaded 
mules have a crupper pad provided. The saddles were stacked under 
tarpaulins in rear of the mules as with us. Blinkers are worn on head 
collar. Riding saddles were of good pattern and clean. 
Forace AND STABLE MANAGEMENT. 
The forage was good and ration plentiful, similar in quantity to our 
home ration for 15 hand mules. The mules were clipped and manes 
hogged, forelocks left and tails not squared. They wereallshod. They 
appeared quiet and well-broken, but were badly groomed. In fact the 
grooming at stable hour both with French and Italian drivers was for 
slackness and want of elbow grease quite on a par with that of the very 
_worst native driver I have ever seen. And yet the animals were un- 
doubtedly in good condition. 
Gun Park AND AMMUNITION. 
The 6 guns and their ammunition boxes, entrenching tools, &c., con- 
stituting the Gun Park were neatly stacked but no tarpaulins are 
provided for it. The gun is a 12-pr. B.L. on the De Bange principle 
weighing 220 lbs., muzzle velocity 842 f.s., 8-149” calibre. Height 
of axis of trunnions from ground about 24 ft. when mounted. The 
carriage is divided into two portions at the trail to permit of high-angle 
firmg. A pair of detachable folding-up shaftsis provided. The weight 
of the carriage is about 405 lbs. including wheels. The ammunition 
boxes are of wood and contain each, 7 shrapnel shell, a projectile 
weighing with fuze, which is always fixed, but without detonator about 
133 lbs. When necessary a melinite shell of weight slightly less than 
