At this period the whole forces upon the British Establishment amounted to eighty-five thousand six hundred and eleven men. As institutions of honor, and distinctions of merit, are necessary incentives for animating the zeal both of Corps and individuals, as like every other inheritance, peculiar privileges ought to be transmitted, unimpaired, to the lineal successors of Public Bodies, if not forfeited by misconduct, or abused by wantonness, I am thus led to remark an occurrence that took place in London, and which is authenticated by Major Donkin, in his "Military Collections," who was a cotemporary and intimate with the Officer to whom the circumstance happened. It is thus expressed: "_The 3d Regiment of Foot, raised in_ 1665, known by the ancient title of The Old Buffs, have the privilege of marching through London with drums beating, colours flying! which the city disputes not only with all other Corps, but even with the King's Guards going on duty to the Tower! It happened in the year 1746, that as a detachment of Marines were beating along Cheapside, one of the Magistrates came up to the Officer, requiring him to cease the drum, as no Soldiers were allowed to interrupt the civil repose. The Captain commanding (an intimate friend of mine) immediately said, Sir, we are Marines.--Oh, Sir! replied the Alderman, I beg pardon; I did not know it! Pray continue your route as you please." It has been already noticed in the early part of this retrospect, that the Corps of Marines was originally engrafted upon _that Regiment_ to which the Major alludes--that the _Old Buffs_ of the present day gained one numerical step in the Line, from the extinction of its predecessor, previous to which circumstance it had no claim to the privilege in question, and could establish no subsequent one from merely a sameness in name. The conclusion which naturally arises must be, that after having ascertained _our First Parent, as children_, we should enjoy unalienated the honors of our forefathers.--Whether or not, in authenticating the fact he has stated, the Major means to advance a similar inference by a like train of analogy, I know not, but it appears to carry a feasible construction. Although the metropolis is but rarely the scene of our service, except that of recruiting, still no one can anticipate the reforms which may be judged necessary in the different military establishments of our Country. In adducing one example of undisputed right, it must certainly fix it as a recognized principle under all future contingencies, excepting that the laws of police shall have utterly abolished the practice. CHAP. XVI. Eleven thousand one hundred and fifty Marines constituted the vote for 1747.