The first meeting of the corps for drill purposes was on the 24th January, 1860, at Mr. Spackman's dyehouse, and as every man thought it necessary to come armed with a gun of some sort, and also as with this gun (perhaps an old flint musket of the Georges' time, or a flimsy single-barrel sparrow-killer) he was to go through the manœuvres and platoon, and appear in the ranks generally, the teaching of musketry must have been utter foolery, and the movements of our Bradford volunteers somewhat ludicrous. However, these like other volunteers survived the ridicule, and notwithstanding _Punch's_ "Who shot the dog?" and the wondrous wit displayed by street boys, or by those disliking the movement, but whose position and education should have taught them better, drilled steadily on, and on the 17th May made their first appearance before the public in full uniform, doubtless to the gratification and admiration of themselves and relatives. The drills were to be seven in the week as squad drills, viz., on Tuesdays and Fridays twice, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays once, thus meeting the convenience of most members of the corps. These drills were well attended, and by the time the Government long Enfield muzzle-loading rifles were sent down in the early part of June, the 9th Corps had fully mastered the outlines of company drill, and dined together soon after on the occasion of more correct enrolment being carried out. Becoming more assured, they now paraded with their band and drilled in public, and had the usual church parades and class sermon; then marching over to the neighbouring town of Trowbridge, they were instructed in the outlines of battalion drill by Major Lawson.