headquarters of these battalions for so many drills in the year being directed, and a travelling allowance, most mean and unjustly arranged, being offered to cover expenses. The battalion had for its officers a lieut.-colonel, a major, an adjutant, a surgeon, and perhaps half-a-dozen retired sergeants as drill instructors, the adjutant and drill instructors alone receiving pay. It was a time of great difficulty and doubt, but of course chiefly so at the commencement of the movement. Indeed, had it not been for the patience and perseverance of men and officers of the force, and the grand generosity and confidence in them shown by noblemen, gentlemen, tradesmen, and especially by ladies, the whole would have fallen through. The Government Order, as given below, will show the amount of assistance received therefrom. "War Office, Pall Mall, "_May, 1859_. "Her Majesty's Government having had under consideration the propriety of permitting the formation of volunteer rifle corps, under the provisions of the Act of 44 Geo. III. Cap. 54, as well as of artillery corps and companies in maritime towns in which there may be forts and batteries, I have the honour to inform ---- that I shall be prepared to receive through you, and consider any proposal with that object which may emanate from the county under your charge. "The principal and most important provisions of the Act are-- "That the corps be formed under officers bearing the commission of the lieutenant of the county. "That its members must take the oath of allegiance before a deputy lieutenant, or justice of the peace, or a commissioned officer of the corps. "That it be liable to be called out in case of actual invasion, or appearance of an enemy in force on the coast, or in case of rebellion arising out of either of those emergencies. "That while thus under arms, its members are subject to military law, and entitled to be billeted, and to receive pay in like manner as the regular army. "That all commissioned officers disabled in actual service are entitled to half-pay, and non-commissioned officers and privates to the benefits of Chelsea Hospital, and widows of commissioned officers killed in service to such pensions for life as are given to widows of officers of Her Majesty's Regular Forces. "That members cannot quit the corps when on actual service, but may do so at any other time by giving fourteen days' notice. "That members who have attended eight days in each four months, or a total of twenty-four days' drill and exercise in the year, are entitled to be returned as effectives. "That members so returned are exempt from Militia ballot, or from being called upon to serve in any other levy. "That all property of the corps is legally invested in the commanding officer, and subscriptions and fines under the rules and regulations are recoverable by him before a magistrate.