There is another immense advantage in distinctive uniforms for troops who can and will do their duty—the mighty moral effect which such distinctiveness carries with it. Like the mere “Blast of Roderic’s bugle horn,” it “is worth” in itself, in a stout struggle, the support of “A thousand men.” Many a time has the distinctive red coat sounded a retreat to the enemy, which he would have been slow to adopt if any doubt had existed about the real character of the troops he had fallen in with. Popular error ought to be corrected in regard to colours suitable for light infantry, by the plain matter of fact, that skirmishing is not in general a prowling, wolf-like proceeding, but sheer hard and open fighting; in which, indeed, the parties engaged make the best of any cover that presents itself, but in which also the flashes and smoke of firing alone present marks for reply that no tint of uniform can conceal. In concealing-cover, not the coat, but the head dress and face are seen. It is a reasonable subject of doubt whether on open ground, at a distance of six hundred or eight hundred yards, red, soiled by dust, dirt and drenching, does not mellow into a greyish-purple, as little calculated to make the man who wears it a mark as blue, black, or dark green. Take away white epaulettes, white lace, and white belts, and the red jacket itself may still continue to be, with prudence and propriety, the leading star on land of England’s high honour and prosperity. The increased rapidity with which, to prevent ruinous destruction, troops of all kinds, when under fire, must now move for considerable distances, gives increased importance to the very plain principle, that the efficiency of a locomotive weapon of war is, in the highest degree, dependent upon the proportion of its weight to the strength of the animal that carries it. Weight of metal is of immense moment on a rampart; but lightness of heart and litheness of limb, producing sustained and easy movement and careful firing, are advantages of more importance to the soldier in the field. These principles embrace his appointments as well as his weapons; and it may be possible, now that public attention is called to the subject, to extend their application, dependent as this is upon the public purse.