There is the usual difficulty and delay in equalizing companies; as local corps have come in full strength, but the ones further away in lesser proportion. However, at last, the adjutant and sergeant-major between them have squared the circle, and all being ready, the same is reported to the lieutenant-colonel in command by the adjutant. Lord Palmerston, with the Lady Herbert of Lea on his arm, followed by the future heir to Wilton House and the Earldom of Pembroke, move away to the saluting point, and the lieutenant-colonel directs the regiment to "march past in slow time." A shuffle, a halt, and as the dressing of companies is deranged, the adjutant moves out to explain that "slow time" is not required to be performed by the volunteers, and that they only know "quick and double," passing always at the "quick." The dressing corrected, another essay at starting is made, and the battalion is directed to pass in "the _usual way_." This not being part of the drill instruction, was not well understood, and in a very _unusual_ manner the battalion commenced the march past, the _profanum vulgus_ offering advice and following with shouts. A few trees, and paths intervening, and concealing the wheeling points, did not add to the steadiness, but on the wheel of the leading two companies into the saluting base being completed, the climax was reached--the band ceased to play, and whilst the rear companies endeavoured to get themselves together, the cause of its sudden silence was briefly explained: "We've played our two companies past." The band was the private property of the Salisbury corps. ("N.B.--A battalion band an absolute necessity, and the musicians attached to corps to appear at battalion drills as riflemen only.") A slight sprinkling of rain coming on hastened the fulfilment of the programme of manœuvres, and whilst my Lord Palmerston, Lady Herbert of Lea, and the spectators generally ran for shelter to the house or shrubberies, the volunteers, careless of consequences, deployed into line among the oak trees. "Is no one going to dress the points?" asked the junior major, as the adjutant waited patiently at the distant point for orders, the rain meanwhile descending in torrents.