Amidst the noise and confusion which more or less attend all fires, I have found considerable difficulty in being able to convey the necessary orders to the firemen in such a manner as not to be liable to misapprehension. I tried a speaking-trumpet; but, finding it of no advantage, it was speedily abandoned. It appeared to me indeed, that while it increased the sound of the voice, by the deep tone which it gave, it brought it into greater accordance with the surrounding noise. I tried a boatswain's call, which I have found to answer much better. Its shrill piercing note is so unlike any other sound usually heard at a fire, that it immediately attracts the attention of the firemen. By varying the calls, I have now established a mode of communication not easily misunderstood, and sufficiently precise for the circumstances to which it is adapted, and which I now find to be a very great convenience. The calls are as follows:-- 1 for red, 2 for blue, 3 for yellow, 4 for grey.[G] 5 to work the engine. 6 to stop working. 7 to attach one length of hose more than the engine has at the time the call is given. 8 to coil up the hose attached to the engine. 9 to coil up the hose attached to the fire-cock. 10 to turn to the left. 11 to turn to the right. 12 the call to work the engine answers also to move forward when the engine is prepared for travelling. 13 the call to stop working answers to stop the engine when moving forward. In all there are thirty-six calls when compounded with the first four. In speaking of the drilling of firemen, I shall give a short account of the plan followed here, which has been tolerably successful. The present number of firemen in Edinburgh is fifty, divided into four companies; three of which consist of twelve and one of fourteen men. The bounds of the city are divided into four districts; in each of which there is an engine-house, containing one or more engines, one of the companies being attached to each engine-house. In each company there is one captain, one sergeant, four pioneers, and six or eight firemen. The whole are dressed in blue jackets, canvas trousers, and hardened leather helmets, having hollow leather crests over the crown to ward off falling materials. The form of this helmet was taken from the war-helmet of the New Zealanders, with the addition of the hind flap of leather to prevent burning matter, melted lead, water, or rubbish getting into the neck of the wearer. The captains' helmets have three small ornaments, those of the sergeants one--those of the pioneers and firemen being plain.