The Ornaments Are Massive Rather Than Rich;
There Is A Plain Pendant In The Ear, And A Miniature Of The Prince Consort
Is Attached To A Necklace Of Very Chaste Design." - Morning Chronicle,
Quebec.
[See page 148.]
MILITIA UNIFORMS.
Canadian militiamen will be interested in the following letter which
appeared in the Toronto Globe.
SIR, - I observe in your "Notes from the Capital" a paragraph to the effect
that Major-General Luard has taken exception to the gold lace worn by
certain arms of the active militia. I am aware that this point has been
raised before, and perhaps it is not a very material issue; but there is a
feature - an historical one - in connection with the subject that deserves
attention, and I remember when the militia was more active than now, in
the face of danger to the peace of the country, this historical point was
brought into prominence. I simply suggest that a certain warrant signed by
the King after the war of 1812 be unearthed. I believe it lies somewhere
in the militia archives, having been transferred from the Public Record
Office. According to an old officer, now dead, who was familiar with it,
this warrant authorises the Canadian militia - a royal force, by the way -
to wear the same uniform as His Majesty's "Royal Regiments." Hence it is
that the characteristic features of the royal livery has been assumed by
the artillery and the other arms of the service. My informant, who had
served in 1812, also stated that it was owing to an accident that silver
was assumed in 1862, the contractor in London, who supplied, in great
haste, uniforms for the militia at the time of the Trent affair, assuming
that "militia" uniforms must be after the style of the English force,
which bears silver ornaments. The Canadian militia is, of course, on a
different footing, and takes precedence after the regular army. I think,
therefore, that for the sake of history and the prominent position of the
Canadian militia in a warlike sense, and in view of services rendered,
such as no other militia in the British service ever rendered, this point
is worthy of revival and investigation. Apart from this there is the fact
that a change of dress is a source of expense and embarrassment to
officers. I have served in various corps for seventeen years, and I know.
L. A. M. L.
[See page 24.]
HORSES.
"L'un des premiers soins du Monarque fut d'y faire passer (au Canada), a
ses frais, des chevaux, tant pour faciliter aux colons les travaux de
l'agriculture, que pour leur procurer leur commodite particuliere, attendu
que jusque-la ils n'avaient pu marcher qu'a l'aide de raquettes pendant
l'hiver. Le 16 juillet 1665 on debarqua a Quebec douze chevaux, les
premiers envoyes de France par le Roi. Il etait naturel que les sauvages,
a qui ces animaux etaient entierement inconnus, temoignassent une grande
surprise en voyant ces orignaux de France: c'est ainsi qu'ils les
appelaient, par comparaison avec ces animaux du pays, n'ayant pas de mots
dans leur langue pour les designer.
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