7. Whilst an attack is going on, the unemployed men of a company shall not be allowed to leave the ranks to play, but should be encouraged to take an intelligent interest in the shooting prowess of their solitary comrade. * * * * * [Illustration: _North Cork Militia Man._ "Am I to shalute him, or no? Begor. I wondher if he's a sarvan'-man or a giniral."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE IMPERIAL YEOMANRY. _Recruit._ "Look 'ere, mister, it ain't no good. This saddle won't go on this 'ere 'orse. I got it over is 'ead all right, but I can't get 'is legs through nohow!"] * * * * * THE NECESSARY KIT ["A housewife will in future form part of the free kit of necessaries."--_Army Order._] It 'as long been my opinion, as a sodger and a man, That I couldn't get on proper, not without yer, Sairey Ann. Well, now 'ere's the latest horder--just yer take a read of it-- That a housewife shall be a portion of the necessary kit. Oh, them horders! Ain't I cussed 'em! Oh, the shockin' words I've said! But now for once, my Sairey, I'm a-blessin' 'em instead. Yus, they misses pretty horfen, but at last they've made a hit, For yer going to be a portion of my necessary kit. They're to serve out housewifes gratis, an' I only 'opes, my pet, That they'll let us Tommies choose ourselves the gals we wants to get, 'Twould be takin' of the gildin' off the gingerbread a bit If I got yer mar, for instance, in my necessary kit. But we'll 'ope the best, my Sairey, though yer can't for certain tell, And I ain't got much opinion of them parties in Pall Mall, But for once they've put a bullet in the bull's eye, I'll admit, If they makes my Sairey portion of my necessary kit. * * * * * "ADVANCE NOTES" (_Military_).--The bugler's. * * * * * [Illustration: _Boatswain_ (_to newly-joined cadet_). "Come, my little man, you mustn't cry on board of one of His Majesty's ships of war. Did your mother cry when you left?" _Cadet._ "Yes, sir." _Boatswain._ "Silly old woman! And did your sister cry?" _Cadet._ "Yes, sir." _Boatswain._ "Stupid little thing! And did your father cry?" _Cadet._ "No, sir." _Boatswain._ "'Ard-'earted old beggar!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE," &c. _Fair Visitor_ (_with a thirst for military knowledge_). "So all the kitchens are behind those buildings. How very interesting! And how many pounds of meat do your men eat a day?" _Gallant Major._ "Really--er--I've no--er--idea, I'm sure, don't y'know." _Fair Visitor._ "But I thought you were in the provisional battalion!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Officer_ (_to Irish sentry on guard tent_). "Why don't you face your proper front, sentry?"