Back to Album formerly belonging to Captain Robert Stewart Cleland (served in 9L 1860-1880)
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Item 0032
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| Accession number | 912L : 2124/1 |
|---|---|
| Transcription |
REGIMENTAL TYPES . No. IV . - THE LANCER . M " IDWAY between the Heavy and Light Cavalry come the Lancers , resembling , however , the latter rather than the former . They have less individuality than either , yet to the close observer certain marked characteristics are apparent . The Lancer officer is generally very upright in his carriage , tall , light and well made in his build , though as a rule he presents the appearance of weakness in the knee - joints . He dresses on the whole well , except as regards trousers , which he calls overalls , and these appear as if made for riding rather than walking . Still , though he has rather the air of a man accustomed to spend much time in the saddle , he does not look horsey . A peculiarity of Lancers is the absence of whiskers , and a certain self - restraint in the matter of moustaches . The five regiments of Lancers differ a good deal both in style and the social status of their officers . In the latter respect the 9th stand best . They and their comrades of the 5th and 12th are somewhat , if not considerably , given to bear - fighting , and , in short , are very exuberant young men . The 17th is or was somewhat more horsey than the other Lancer regiments , while the 12th is less dashing in style than the 9th . As to the 16th they have no conspicuous peculiarities . The 9th are perhaps socially the most prominent corps of the five , being wild , vivacious , great at polo , rather extreme dressers , and with certain pretensions to fashion . The 5th are addicted to practical jokes of a pronounced description , but this practice is looked on as a regimental custom , and taken good - humouredly by the victims . The 5th enjoy the singular distinction of numbering among their officers a Duke , who takes both to larking and soldiering with equal kind ness , and seems disposed to make the corps his home for some years to come . Almost all As in the Heavies tobacco is generally consumed in the form of gigantic cigars , so in the Lancers there is a fashion in smoking , the cigarette being chiefly favoured . Lancers are gentlemen by birth , and well off as regards money . Their mess - tables are particularly well furnished with handsome plate , and their hospitality is unbounded . They are great men at the principal races , and whenever possible go there in regimental dress . They are more devoted to their profession than the officers of any other branch of the Cavalry , and few of them exchange or sell out when ordered abroad . Consequently they are more cosmopolitan than either Heavies or Hussars , and mix more freely with the Infantry . Indeed , they are a genial , cheery set , and are generally popular wherever they go . They are proud of being Lancers , and with reason , for with the exception of the 5th , a newly - raised regiment , they have greatly distinguished themselves on many fields since the accession of the Queen . They can , however , scarcely be credited with much devotion to the scientific study of their profession , for the five regiments only possess amongst them three graduates of the Staff College . If not , however , burners of midnight oil , they indulge very frequently in midnight revels , and are lively if not learned . The great charm about them is an absence of affectation . They hang very much together , but are never unsociable when they meet with officers not so fortunate as to be one of them . They will even converse in the most unassuming manner with a strange Infantryman in the train . The line must , however , be drawn somewhere , self - respect is a solemn duty , and the Lancer , like other officers of Cavalry , abstains from making the foot - padding officer an honorary member of the mess . With that exception , he is ready to meet every one half - way , and to take the world's estimate of himself . He is a good man all round - good in the hunting - field , good at polo , good at cricket , active in the ball - room , and a being with whom both men and women can converse without being bored . Consequently , though not ex officio a member of Society , he is generally well received in it . That he is wild , some what extravagant , and given to late hours do him no harm with ladies , who like him all the better for not being a pattern young man , which he certainly is not and does not wish to be . To sum up , he is a thorough gentleman , with a high standard of honour , and should by chance a black - sheep get into a Lancer regiment the sternest of official orders will not procure toleration for the objectionable quadruped . VANITY FAIR June 17h 1876 CASTE V. TRIBE . Dame Britannia : - " NOW , MY YOUNG FRIENDS , PLAINLY UNDERSTAND ME , IF I HEAR OF ANY MORE OF THIS BULLYING OF THE NON - PURCHASE BOYS , YOU WILL ALL SMART FOR IT ! " эпид THE TRIBE SCANDAL . No. 85 -0 . we drink # Troop ? Malanes Philif freen Derry Weslenme Mai Muling 245 Pusy 1875 Ливан |
