A PEACE MAN'S VIEW OF THE REVIEW.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XII, Issue 3469, 12 November 1879, Page 3

A PEACE MAN'S VIEW OF THE REVIEW.

We heard the martial music, we followed the soundiug drum, we saw our soldiers for.m in line, we witnessed their evolutions, their attacks on ' a supposed enemy, and 'we 'pitied the foe. The juvenile militants having figured first as skirmishers retired to rest in glorious ease npon their laurels. Thus, we thought, if they go on, they will make good oolonial soldiers—ought to be the very best. Then came complicated movements; the troops sent to the right about, and then the other way; the word of command apprehended and obeyed exaotly; the rattle of the musketry and the ban? of the field-pieces demonstrating how hard the adversary was to kill, jo it went on for two hours—hard fighting, though it was only sham, overy arm of the service represented having had enough to do. Cavalry from'the would have formed an interesting find effective climax. The most imposing part of the day's performance was that left to the last. Their formed square, the ramparts of living men, the outer line kneeling, 'pith bayonets fixed and gleaming, wailing for Zulu, or Ashantee, or any other enemy who might dare to eome and try their points; thi< repid firing of the upright men, the officers within—not altogethersafe —showing between the rifts of rolling smoke. " They run, they run " " Who runs p" " The foe.' The battle's fought—the victory won, and the troops have leave to rest. But now the Artillery men would do a little extra work, so let them; and how smartly they do it -no hitch, no hesita; tiori. They unlimber, tbey dismount the c&nnon, unlinoh the wheels, and soon again replace, remount the guns, and stand prepared to serve them to the con* fusion and destruction of any adversary. It was a smart bit of practice, and was appreciated by all who saw—initiated or otherwise.

Small rations served out, and then the return march. The bands of music, the tread of rank and file, the pomp, the pageantry. The scarlet uniforms looked well, the blue likewise, the grey not so conspiouous, and yet the better colour, perhaps, in the campaign; less likely a» a target for the sharpshooters. Last in the line the Maori company, who marched right well, keeping iicne; time, time with their British comrades, ([s not the loyal Maori a Briton ?) The last link in the chain of events was the veritable Pincher, dressed in green surtout, with staff in hand, the rear guard of the retiring army. We were left behind, and saw the battalions, covered with dust and glory, winding their way round the curves of the road towards the town.

Our conclusion was that it was a wollarranged and achieved military exhibition: officers and men understanding their several parts and executing them with precision j and this was our conviction, that here was the material whereby Britain's ascendancy has been attained—-strong, active, willing

men, obedient to rule; ready todo.abl to execute, patient to bear; of such men and no better, Marlborough, Olive, Wei. linfiton, Papier, Wolaley were leaders, I and tbey went from viclory to victory. Another thought occurred, and it was through contrast: John Gilpin was 8 citizen of credit and renown, a train band captain eke was he, of famoua London town; he bad a sword, a girdle, too, and he did exercise—-but it was on a ground floor. Alas for him upon that weddin? day, when he aspired to be a cavalry-man ho was at fault, he could not sit upright, and the wondering horse went off fast, faster. John held on—not gracefully, but grimly, so he went out of town, and so he came back safe and sound-hardly the latter-how did he feel next day p Our commanding officers, on Monday, were well mounted, were at home in the saddle, were worthy of their distinction every way. Now, may we nay, Long live the Prince, Our soldiers, long live they, And, when next year they exercise, We'll hear tbem nil, hooray I Tho visit of the Aucklanders will pro* mote the fellowship of our citizen soldiers, who dovote their time and energy to the discipline of arms. We hope the Govern* ment will encourage and sustain our Volnnteer force.