The principles advanced in the foregoing remarks, are not, in the main, of a character to be limited to the details of particular movements; but are rather to be kept continually on the mind, for the purpose of being thrown into effect as circumstances may require. _Practical_ differs from _formal_ skirmishing, even more by the style than by the method of its execution. Not one sentence, it is believed, will be found to stand in opposition to the British established system. The few points in which they may at first sight appear to differ from it, consist simply in an application of principles already established to a practical extent somewhat beyond that usually adopted. If an officer who did not act upon this extent of application, were to succeed in the command of a corps to one who had adopted it, neither he nor those under him would experience any difficulty from the previous practice. It should not be forgotten, that the thorough spirit of practical skirmishing is not to be communicated or maintained, with only one or two companies at a time, on the level, restricted, drill field. Soldiers, after having been _thoroughly_ grounded in elementary details and permanent principles, should be often taken out _in large bodies_ to skirmish, _with strict, universal and incessant attention to the duty_, across extensive and intricate tracts of country. Such tracts are often to be found without restrictions in foreign stations; and at proper seasons of the year, a little management and promises of repairing damages will generally procure access to admirable skirmishing ground from British farmers and landed proprietors. The writer is conscious that he can have advanced little, if anything, that must not have occurred to officers who have had experience in this branch of warfare, or that may not have been brought into instruction practice by them. He has not, however, seen the foregoing practical application of essential principles thrown _broadly_ into print; and it appears to him important that it should be so exhibited, in order that the spirit of actual skirmishing may not be confined to the regimental locality, or cease with the regimental employment of those who witnessed it. Footnote 4: With long range rifles, this limit will probably now be eight hundred yards.—(_Second edition._) Footnote 5: In this branch of instruction, there is unquestionably a very wide field for practicable improvement. In addition to some advances nearer to perfection in the construction of the musquet itself, _very much_ might be done towards the art of using it, in the ways of systematical scientific instruction, and improved local conveniences for ball practice. These of necessity would entail some public expense, but every reasonable outlay towards the maintenance of national military efficiency is true economy, and the neglect of it real extravagance.—(_First edition._) Footnote 6: