hailstorm coming on did not improve the drill, and few were sorry when the trains arrived at the station by which they could return home. The 7.15 train saw Trowbridge, Bradford, and Westbury corps returning, but those lower down the line had far longer to wait. It was ever thus for a battalion drill; the trains never fitted in, and whilst some part of the battalion would arrive at midday to parade at 3 p.m., another could not be present until past the drill hour. If a late hour was fixed for the general assembly then the hurry to catch the last train made a general scramble to be off break up the parade. The ladies of Bradford were nothing behind their sisters elsewhere in helping forward the Rifle Movement, and by bazaars, county and local prize-giving for shooting encouraged very many of the men to practise careful shooting. The earliest record of a subscription being got up from the ladies of Bradford for this purpose is in September, 1861, when Mr. T. Taylor and Mr. J.C. Neale were the collectors. The money obtained allowed of a handsome silver cup being purchased, and smaller sums distributed in prizes. The distances were short, but they were beginners, and allowance had to be made for blundering. The terms being easy, though the entrance as a competitor depended on his subscription to the funds of the corps, so, with or without knowledge, a majority of the company appeared at the targets. The highest scores made at the two distances selected, viz., 200 and 300 yards, were those of Sergeant Neale, total 13, Private Reynolds 13, Charles Adye 13, W. Mager 12. The whole day was occupied in the business, and the band, with refreshments, helped to break the monotony, for it must have been monstrous stupid for onlookers, these many hours of blundering. Being Britons, a dinner at "The Swan" was necessary to mark the occasion, and there, with Captain Pickwick in the chair, supported by Mr. Forster, Mr. Beavan, and Assistant-Surgeon Adye, and various other gentlemen not immediately connected with the corps, each proposed the health of another, and drank "The Ladies" with great enthusiasm. It will not be here out of place to show how great is the improvement in shooting now-a-days. Formerly the values of a hit were very high, three being obtainable for one shot, and yet here is the result. To quote from the local trumpeter, "at 300 yards most beautiful shooting throughout." 300 yards. Total. ---- 5 shots 2 2 1 2 2 9 ---- " 2 2 2 1 1 8 ---- " 1 2 1 2 1 7 ---- " 1 1 2 1 2 7 ---- " 1 1 1 1 2 6 The riflemen of Bradford could do better than that now. Again, at even lesser distances it seems that men such as Captain W. Adye, Sergeant G. Adye, Sergeant Davis Privates Scutt, Chas. Adye, &c., at 150 and 200 yards, seven rounds each range, half targets, hits and points added, 25, 34, 38, 33, 40, 33 were the highest scores.