After their return from Germany the ROYAL DRAGOONS were ordered to proceed to Scotland; at the same time the light troop was disbanded, and the establishment was reduced to two hundred and thirty-one officers and soldiers. Eight men per troop were equipped as light dragoons, and mounted on small horses for skirmishing and other light services; the remainder of the regiment was mounted on large horses of superior weight and power. [Sidenote: 1764] In 1764 the regiment marched to South Britain; and an order was received to remount with long-tailed horses. On the 9th of May in the same year the colonelcy was conferred on HENRY EARL OF PEMBROKE, who had recently distinguished himself in the campaigns in Germany. [Sidenote: 1766] [Sidenote: 1767] [Sidenote: 1768] [Sidenote: 1769] [Sidenote: 1770] [Sidenote: 1771] [Sidenote: 1772] [Sidenote: 1773] The six drummers borne on the establishment were, in 1766, ordered to be replaced by trumpeters; and on the 4th of May in the following year King George III. reviewed the regiment in Hyde Park, and expressed his approbation of its appearance and high state of discipline.[52] After the review it marched to the north of England; and in 1769 was stationed in Scotland; but returned to England in the following year, and, after occupying various quarters in the southern and western counties, was again reviewed by his Majesty on the 17th of May, 1773, on Finchley Common; and, according to the journals of that period, its excellent condition and correct manœuvring procured the approbation of the King, and excited the admiration of the princes, noblemen, general officers, and other spectators. [Sidenote: 1774] [Sidenote: 1775] [Sidenote: 1777] During the summer the ROYAL DRAGOONS again proceeded to the north, and, after occupying quarters for a short period in Yorkshire, marched to Scotland, where they were stationed during the summer of 1774; but returned to England in the succeeding year; and on the 24th of May, 1777, were reviewed in brigade with the second dragoon guards, on Wimbledon Common, by the King, accompanied by several of the young princes, and attended by a retinue of noblemen and general officers. [Sidenote: 1778] Hostilities having commenced between Great Britain and the colonies in North America, an augmentation was made in the strength of the regular army; and in 1778 six serjeants, six corporals, and one hundred and twenty-six private men were added to the ROYAL DRAGOONS. During the summer they were encamped, with several other corps, on Coxheath, near Maidstone, where they were reviewed by the King. [Sidenote: 1779]