The assistance received in supporting the corps was great from all at and about Trowbridge, the ladies being foremost in helping on the movement by giving prizes to be shot for, and by holding stalls at bazaars, &c., by which undress uniforms, hand instruments, &c., &c., were purchased, but which could not be found with the paltry allowance received from the War Office. The want of covered spaces in which to drill in bad weather, or indeed to find any place at all for such a purpose out of doors, excepting the damp field, muddy roadside, or barrack yard, was felt considerably. Public rooms or offices offered certain advantages, but had many drawbacks, and it was not until Major Thos. Clark, promoted to field rank by the death of Major Jacob at Salisbury, munificently met the difficulty, that this want was removed. Entirely at his own expense, Major Clark erected a hall large enough for every purpose, and after a while the Rifle Volunteers of Trowbridge found themselves welcome in a most comfortable and substantial building, in which all squad and, to a certain extent, company drills could be performed, their arms and accoutrements properly cared for, and additional rooms, where roaring fires in winter, the morning and other newspapers, a fair library, and bagatelle table, made members of the corps, off drills, rest and be thankful. Once a year outsiders were admitted, for a consideration, to witness the distribution of prizes, or perhaps the performance of theatricals, the members of the corps being the actors and entertainers. "Mrs. Jarley's Waxworks," and other incidents equally well got up and done, to say nothing of the witty prologues written on every occasion by Sergeant A. Wilkins, will long be remembered. Among his earliest efforts are these recited by Lieut. Stancomb:-- "To give that pleasure is the rifle band, So let everybody here quite understand, That without _stocks_ the funds can't keep supplied With instruments and music, if we tried. The band has got the brass, but not the tin, So please to help us out by sending in." Then again, referring to the Oxford Corps at autumn manœuvres:-- "The Oxford University were there, Those noble swells, turned cooks, the sight was rare, To see them cut their meat and put their pots on, Good judges they of beef, just come from Oxon."