Back to Album formerly belonging to Captain Robert Stewart Cleland (served in 9L 1860-1880)
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Item 0019
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| Accession number | 912L : 2124/1 |
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dopal Black & White 145 June 1871 MY MILITARY FRIENDS . NATURE never intended me for a cavalry soldier . My motto has ever been post equitum sedet atra cura - which being translated means that " I'm in a horrible funk on a horse ! " neither can I un derstand the mysteries of betting . I never quite knew which are the fetlocks and which the hocks of a horse - and which is the curb and which is the snaffle rein , no amount of " Stonehenge " will ever im press on my memory - but it was my fate to be invited to stay with the gallant - the a crack Cavalry Corps - with a reputation for steeple - chasing . I met Jones at dinner , and afterwards refused to play whist . I afterwards was forced to cut in and Jones looked on , he watched my play . Jones was so grateful to me for my refusal to play at first , that he invited me to their steeple - chases . " I'll put you up old man , and mount you if you like . " In the excitement of the moment I accepted . I immediately revoked and went home , to think of my coming visit , and my present wardrobe . I invest large sums in " Hussar " scarves , & c . I order a coat with two buttons in front , and I swagger into the station . Looks better to get into a smoking - carriage . Hullo ! here's Smith ! " Hullo , old man , " says Smith , " Have a weed ? " " Ah ! thanks , " I say , " I don't smoke . " " What are you in a smoking - carriage for ? " " Ah ! " I reply with as much nonchalance as the fast increasing clouds will allow me , " Keeps the women out , you know . " Military friend in carriage smokes incessantly . I am beginning ladies ' society is dearly purchased , when I see large buildings - of a public appearance ! " Ha ! " I observe , with a certain amount of warmth and tenderness as if old memories would well - up , " the dear old barracks ! " Military friend takes cigar out and says , " Lu natic Asylum !! " I relapse into outward silence and inward qualms . Barracks at last . I must find Jones's rooms . I do . A military servant , with remarkably blue cheeks , caused by incessant shaving , enters . I think it more suitable to the occasion to send him to get my " traps " out and " pay the fellow . " He pays the fellow and leaves my new umbrella in the cab . a ‘ 347out w t os e a He shows me up to a room- " Is Mr. Jones in ? " " No , sir , the Captain is hout ! " I take the hint as to 39 room ; it wears the appearance of a torture chamber . The walls are covered with whips , sticks , swords , foils , gloves , in every spot where they are not covered with pictures of badger - drawing , cock fighting , and celebrated trotting horses with beautifully arched necks and remarkably wide nostrils . A very remarkable series of announcements strike the eye . They seem little adapted to a private sitting room . One says , " Wipe your feet ; another , " This way out ; a third , " No re - admission ! " a fourth , " This establishment closes every night at 12 o'clock . " I must find out if possible the origin of this custom ! My military friend , with the blue cheeks , has meanwhile unpacked my portmanteau - laid out my things I hear an awful too - tooing . " Ha , " I cried , " the old bugles at their old game . " My blue - cheeked military friend is im perturbable , but mildly murmurs , " The trumpet ! Yes , sir ! " I relapse into my proper civilian sphere , and proceed with my dres sing . My military friend has laid the wrong collar and the wrong shirt , and has packed everything else up , and removed them to some den of his own . I feel that the first impression will be spoiled . Ha ! here's Jones , in breeches and gaiters . We finish dressing . Now for mess ! I don't say much at first ! There are not very many men at mess but the few there are very strangely named " Mummy , " " Snorter , ' mark over le 66 " Smiler , ' Bloke , THE LANCERS ' CIRCUS . - The 9th ( Queen's Royal ) Lancers , whose stay at Woolwich , though brief , has , in more ways than one , afforded satis faction and entertainment to the town and garrison , have this week given a series of perform ances , in their amateur circus , - an establish A large circus tent , capable , we should say , of ment which we should imagine is quite unique . seating a thousand people round the ring , has Barracks , and fitted up and lighted as circuses been erected on the ground of the Royal Marine comfortably . The description of the entertain - im ment too , was just such as one sees in the gigantic marquees which , after an enormous display of convenient meadow . and are off again before gorgeous advertisements , pitch for a day in some day - break next morning in search of new pa tures . The skill displayed by some of the Lancers was not one whit inferior to that exhibited in the professional ring , and the appeal upon the pro grammes that the audience would not be too critical upon the self - taught artistes was superfluous altogether . Sergeant Major Spiers came in for the greatest amount of applause in his " rapid career on bare backed steeds ; " and here we may re the only noticeable distinction be tween this and the " real " cirque : for whereas in the latter the mottled palfreys generally amble leisurely round , in this circus the horses , really high - bred and splendid creatures , went round at the full charge , increasing immensely THE MARCH - PAST . Sergeant Major Spiers also introduced the edu - cy the spirit and excitement of the performance . [ BY OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS . ] cated mare of the troop , " Brown Bess , " who SALISBURY , THURSDAY NIGHT . marched and danced to music , and fired off a behind , and soon after them came Major - General Lord Mark Kerr and his staff were not far pistol without winking ; while another trained Shute , with the Light Brigade of cavalry , which horse , " Alonzo , " was put through his facings in has lately been under his orders . If there is a a very satisfactory manner , by Sergeant Major point upon which military men are divided in the regiment , who acted as one of the indispen- 10th Hussars are the finest and most serviceable Forsyth . The Hon . E. Willoughby , an officer of opinion , it is whether the 9th Lancers or the sible clowns , brought in the performing ponies , men . If the 10th boast , and justly , that they amusing antics ; and another officer of the corps , that they can follow them . If the Hussars lay " Simon " and " Susan , " who played some very can take any fence in the country , the 9th aver Riding Master Crowdy , rendered efficient aid in claim to being lighter and possessing smaller and the management of the ring . " Madamoiselle " quicker horses , the Lancers retort that they are and " Smiler " nearly get up a bear fight - at least , so I am informed Turnbull , said to be a member of the band , able to do all that their rivals can perform , next morning . This interesting sport , which is , I believe , exclu- performed the usual equestrian tricks sively confined to military and royal circles , does not come off , incon - jumping through hoops , and such like , in in a charge . Be the rivalry what it may , of and have the advantage of superior weight sequence of a diversion created by me . I was found at the piano , ballet costume , a most difficult thing for a the 9th is a model regiment . Without scarlet over the keys of which I had upset my brandy and soda , endeavour- novice ; Master Potter also rode exceedingly well , plumes like the 12th - or , indeed , any plumes at ing to play and sing a music hall song , and weeping feebly . The and Private Harsent performed one or two daring all , being habited , in fact , in the most sombre last seems not unlikely , considering it was a comic song . feats . The acrobatic part of the entertainment colours , and apparently accoutred and clothed as was also fully equal to the professional standard , though they were intended only for work and the vaulting , Sergt . Radford and a number of his light horse as it was ever the lot of a general to both in the trapeze and bar performances , and in never for parade - they are as fine a body of five horses as if they had never spent their time in comrades turning somersaults over the backs of command . learning anything else . The whole concluded with a comic scene , in which roars of laughter were created by the tricks played upon two con fiding countrymen ( admirably pourtrayed by Sergeant Gentry ) , and Private Seymour , by Cor ,, e ad clown , the tricks of two little animals - a mule poral Brask , who was the very model of a stage me e a e out and a pony - introduced in this scene , and defying to set it as a te hou the efforts of any one to ride them , affording in e in s t u " Beans , " " Pickles . " I will take an early opportunity of sounding Jones on this point ! The opportunity does not occur - but I get an in an manner . " Pass the wine , old man , ' says Jones . The wine is with a gentleman whom I hear called Snicky . " Snicky is engrossed with a menu in French , which I don't think he understands ; he won't look my way ; at length I venture to call out , " Will you pass the wine , Mr. Snicky ? loud A I perceive from the incessant laughter that I have made some mis take . I afterwards discover his name to be Montmorency . " Beans " and " Snorter " inform me that the announcements in my bedroom as to " Wipe your feet , " & c . , are trophies from various places of public resort the proceeds of " Riotous conduct by Officers , " " More Gentlemanly Larks , " & c . , vide press . ( 6 After mess a curious haze comes o'er my memory . " A bugle ! " pshaw , as they say on the stage , and only there " a trumpet !! " six o'clock ; can't sleep any more ; an un natural wakefulness comes o'er me ; a peculiar staring of the eyes , and a parched feeling about the mouth . The literature of my room seems confined to a drill book and a Ruff's " Guide " -neither of which I can understand More trumnets ! As these continue every five р [ о ǝч ,, рамо I .. ,, 04-002 et - ano prep A po se ne at the end the wee to the wat od to a te e te te the of J ! 4no puy 4 I no es su o o o e a to od te pe to the intense gratification . A visit to this circus has added e a se s t o another to our regrets that the stay of the Lancers in Woolwich is so short ; but our good wishes will follow Mr. Crowdy and his talented company in o e de se to ne e soox seus as we ta te the their " ride to York . " e s , f de son q85 94 % τ ! ® [ [ 0iqun Mou & 50139 [ ed ,, pue ano ,, sde ,, Au * ᏚᏗᎾᏓᎾ 44 " " M. le Commandant d'Etapes , d'accord avec la Mairie de Vitry , fait sa voir que les officiers qui sont logés par billets peuvent exiger ce qui suit : Un premier déjeuner consistant en café , pain et beurre . Un second déjeuner consistant en bouillon , deux plats et dessert . Un dîner consistant en potage , trois plats et dessert . De plus , une bouteille de bon vin à chaque repas . Pour le soldat , les repas sont les mêmes , si ce n'est qu'on supprime au déjeuner le second service et le dessert , et au dîner le troisième service et le dessert . рис море и sked 9Η te of the res of the bus or a att ta f per te na t a Λιυτ !! ια VoI of puy 4snu te istrenb premut puæ 6otors preAgno oşut esdetox Iali un [ fey otyBu -n'T ,, ' SA per a tots els 047 , ‘ dn - I94 p [ non soμouou plo J ! se ssouopu04 puæ qque / RB Tout vin d'extra et tout ce que les militaires demanderont en dehors de ce qui précède , devra être payé comptant par eux . 1960 Chaque officier doit recevoir 5 cigares par jour , ainsi que chaque soldat , mais les derniers peuvent être payés avec 50 grammes de tabac en manque des cigares . feel the immunity from entish Independent 10th Aug. 1872 Pour les maîtres d'hôtel , les frais sont réglés par la mairie et ne pour ront s'élever au - dessus de 12 fr . par jour pour chaque officier et à 4 fr . pour chaque sous - officier et soldat , logement compris . Vitry - le - François , le 28 octobre 4870 . Baron DE LINGK , Major et Commandant d'Etapes . C'est le mal qui fait du bien ; C'est la piqûre de la rose ; Si on le sait c'est peu de chose Si on l'ignore ce n'est rien . Sed My prime of youth is but a frost of cares ; My feast of joys is but a dish of pain ; My crop of corn is but a field of tares , And all my good is but vain hope of gain . The day is fled , and yet I saw no sun ; My spring is past , and yet it hath not sprung ; The fruit is dead , and yet the leaf is green . My youth is past , and yet I am but young : I saw the world , and yet I was not seen ; My thread is cut , and yet is hardly spun ; And now I live , and now my life is done . the heels of 27th Jeft / 87 / 00 Seymour's men Fiennes brought on his 9th much has been already said . A large proportion Lancers , of whose merits in this correspondence of the regiment was yesterday in the saddle fourteen hours , but the recuperation had been very quick and thorough . A palpable wrong was done in not allowing the two Lancer Regi ments to be followed by their regimental baggage trains , horsed by their own troopers , which were relegated instead to the rear of the infantry . mes . Daily Telegrasers 13t Lebte 15-72 AUTUMN MANOEUVRES . Yorkshire Post 305 April 18748 YORK - 9TH LANCER'S CIRCUS . - A series of circus performances given by the 9th Lancers , now quartered in York , came to a successful termination on Saturday afternoon last . Too much credit cannot be given to Mr Crowdy , the riding master of the regiment , for the admirable manner in which he has superintended the training of the horses as well as for the unceasing energy he has displayed in producing such an entertain ment . Saturday afternoon was chosen as the day on which the performers were to receive their benefit , and on that afternoon Mrs Egremont Lascelles very kindly presented a purse to the officers of the regiment , sub scribed by a few ladies and gentlemen for the benefit of the performers , which Sergeant Brash , in his character of clown , acknowleded the following words : - " Ladies and gentlemen - I am requested , on behalf of the performers of our circus company , to thank the kind donors of a purse of £ 78 which has been presented to us to - day at our benefit . We are told that this was collected yesterday by some kind - hearted ladies in the officers ' stand at the regimental races , as a tribute for the way in which we have tried to please you all . I will say no more than this that it has gone straight to our hearts , and years hence the men of the 9th Lancers will still remember the most generous gift of our Yorkshire friends . " Sheldra ees Alderstutt Gayette 11 may 1872 . No. 40 KUNTI DE MORT The Bearer South Cavalry Barracks , TUESDAY , VELO 31 OCTOBER 10 , 1871 . TOT VI MILITARY MANCEUVRES ACT , 34 & 35 Vict . , c . 97 . Ariquem Capt . Cleland & Laine enter upon any unenclosed or prescribed lands , including those directed to be kept clear , or within the lines of any encampment . Série 7126 . de la République Française . Daily News 23m leppt 187 / RS . asm orps was CAMP OF THE THIRD DIVISION , ELSTEAD COMMON , FRIDAY NIGHT . While traversing a wild , sandy hill road , I met a little cortége of equestrians , in front of which rode the Duke of Cam ters , bridge and General Blumenthal , with Majors Roerdanz and von Alten behind . They had been visit ndia ing the Second Brigade , and were now going across to the First . When in the Second Brigade General outh Blumenthal had made the keenest inspection of bers one of the locomotive ovens , had tasted the soup Ad which the Bays had for dinner , had walked very evon slowly through the lines of the militia , and had pects taken a close look at the Artillery Auxiliary Trans loyal port Train . And when he and the Duke left the ition r of camp , orders were left that the brigade should turn ether out at half - past two for a brigade drill . The same amusement for the afternoon was afterwards pre iting diers scribed for the First Brigade . see until TELEFONON T. It was a pretty sight to see the brigade formed mist f the up on parade in the heathy hollow of Hankley common . On the right of the first line was the em to exer . ed as Horse Artillery - on its prescriptive place ; then led at ers of By came the Bays , the bright , brazen helmets glitter ing in the sun , and the 9th Lancers ; their red and white lance pennons flowing straight out in the were fresh breeze , both regiments drawn up in quarter tacks , from distance columns of squadrons , right in front . On nbers . more the left of the Lancers were the 22nd ; then the rimi- Hants Volunteers ; then the 1st Surrey Militia ; and the left of the line was closed by the battery press turdy as the of Field Artillery . The infantry regiments were men ceed eroic ORT separated by an interval wide enough to contain each a battalion ; and in rear of the intervals itting were , reckoning from the right , the 2nd Surrey , ig the the Dorset Volunteers , and the 82nd . I should n in , " note here that in stating that at the battle of Weaver's Downs the 2nd Surrey were taken arms . Homonſole . NOTE . This Order may be revoked at any time . The Bearer may pass on horseback . LA NATION i most to the prisoners and forced to retire from the contest , ad the I was confused between them and another regiment . itmost The parade was scarcely set when the Prussian n they fervid hard any of officers , accompanied by General Staveley and his staff , were seen coming over the hill at a canter . eamed Beginning at the left the party made a careful pected inspection of the first line , special attention being names given to the volunteers , the cavalry , and horse ailway artillery ; and then the 9th Lancers were ordered manry to the front for a regimental drill under eyes so I been critical . The splendid regiment , commanded by eight Colonel Fiennes , need fear no inspecting eyes , course , nd was not altogether ions , but the Lancers drill upon . The regi and deployed on the ight back at a gallop , left , and formed line third squadron . It [ NOT TRANSFERABLE . is hereby specially permitted to 18 of troops from ormed quarter distance rear troops , deploying 58. Changing position ront was thus brought a bit of roughish un ad before it , with a horizon beyond . On Major von Alten , the perial Majesty of Ger " Gal ch , " " Trot , " umpeter sounded that s knew so well , and the ard , every man and lated by one impulse . e pace . Von Alten sat id took his bay horse round was rough , and a trot . The trumpet n , the notes which mean he two flank squadrons atoms us Burton an will be Captains Cave's and Clayton's - spreading out s - In the at racing pace like a fan , this man with his lance held at the in rest like a knight of old - that performing the and men an " pursuing practice " with finished dexterity . od for their sted that the Now , von Alten , riding there with that firm ision , as it is strong seat on the right flank , the good bay at the the Lancers . top of his speed , I ask you , did ever your own First market , where members of Guard Uhlans , on a parade on the Tempelhofer be presided feld , or on the swell north of Mars la Tour on that t . Tanner ) . bloody Schlacht - feld of Vionville , ride speedier , as aided by a gallanter , or truer ? Over the dia , th0 wiu be AT his delight with the smartness and dash of the te in judicion do honon Ninth was quite effusive . Jeral displa " Redan " e kingdom i Massey , who rode at the head of the 5th Lancers , we do hope showed that his men could do something more than ng occasion . graceful act ornamental work , and that they are very nearly fternoon , so approaching to the standard of another Lancer es , and thus regiment , which General Blumenthal , when in this country in 1871 , did not hesitate to describe as the finest body of light cavalry in the world . MORNING POST 3 MAY 1876 THELLOUD WOKLOCK |
