It is true, indeed, that the British light infantry man has a practical system in some important particulars peculiar to himself; and in none more so than that, under all circumstances, he continues the well-disciplined soldier, never systematically assuming the character of the loose, lawless, free-corps freebooter. From this last peculiarity may have arisen the incorrect impressions of our foreign contemporaries. We, however, glory in the difference, and affirm that stern discipline and high soldier-like principle must form the basis of thorough military efficiency to the full as much in the light and extended services, as in those of a more concentrated description. Free corps originate in long internal wars. Happily for Britain, she of late has not been distinguished for such nurseries of irregular military skill; but when her territories were desolated by them, there were not wanting bodies of this description as active, intelligent, and enterprising as any that ever graced the continent of Europe. To assist in keeping up the remembrance of the essentials of the practical system of the modern British light infantry man, in that important branch of his duty, skirmishing; in order that foreigners, whatever be their theories, may continue to receive, when necessity requires it, practical evidence that British soldiers can act as light infantry, is the principal object of the Author in submitting to the army the following observations. 1837. Footnote 2: See “Le Nouveau Dictionnaire des Sièges et Batailles,” under these articles. Footnote 3: La première ligne des Français etoit composée de douze mille archers Génois. Meurdris et décomfits par les flèches que les archers Anglais leur tiroient si vivement que ce sembloit neige, ils lâcherent le pied et se renversèrent sur la seconde ligne.... Philippe, croyant qu’il y avoit de la trahison de la part des Génois, s’ecria: Or tôt tuez cette ribaudaille qui nous empêche la voie sans raison.—_Nouveau Dictionnaire des Sièges et Batailles, article Crècy._ THE ESSENTIALS OF GOOD SKIRMISHING. Skirmishing is the art of fighting, with numbers insufficient to occupy, in close order, the ground contested. In light infantry or skirmishing drill, as in all other instruction, the principal art is, to dwell _forcibly_ on things _really essential_; _moderately_ on things _merely important_; and _lightly_ on things _nearly indifferent_. To good skirmishing there are _eight essentials_:— 1. Active Intelligence. 2. Correct Firing. 3. Daring Courage. 4. Making the best of Cover. 5. Presenting the smallest possible Marks to the Enemy’s Fire. 6. Maintaining Extension from, and Dependence on, a given File of Direction. 7. Preserving a sufficient Readiness to resist Cavalry. 8. A judicious Employment of Supports and Reserves.