The militia-men were then ranged out in ranks, and the muster-roll called. I was particularly struck with the assemblage present. I looked in vain for the most respectable of our mechanics and neighbouring farmers.--The ranks were chiefly filled with the idle young men of the village and the tavern frequenters of the neighbourhood; in short, with men who hung loose upon society, and were eager for every adventure that would enable them to get through a day, without work, and might end in a drinking match. Captain Snip bustled about with becoming self-importance,--fixed this man six inches back, and that one as much forward, and having thus ranged them _a la militaire_, proceeded, by the aid of his Hand-Book, to induct them into the manual exercise. At the word "Shoulder fire-locks," a scene of confusion ensued. Some had their pieces on the right and some on the left shoulder, and they were ranged at all angles from a perpendicular to a horizontal line.--With infinite difficulty, and after repeated trials, the captain got them to order and proceeded to the next command. As he went on I observed that he became impatient and confused; the disorder into which his company were continually getting, surpassed his abilities to rectify, and his limited and superficial knowledge began to fail him. He quite lost his authority over his men; but by dint of storming, succeeded at last in getting some how through the business. The drum then sounded, and the gallant troop marched out to the commons, there to encamp for the day, carrying in their train all the noisy and idle boys of the town. In the afternoon they again made their appearance, dusty, fatigued, and disorderly, and after a sham exercise in the street, were dismissed. It was a glorious day for the sellers of cakes, and beer, and brandy, and whiskey. Many a bottle that day was emptied of its fiery contents, and many a miserable wretch strengthened in the habits of vice and dissipation. Scarce a man of this valiant corps returned home sober. The tavern door was a scene of continued quarrelling and the most shocking profanity, till eleven o'clock. Battle succeeded battle, to the infinite diversion of the by-standers, and to the edification and instruction of the lads of all sizes that were thronging to this school of morality. I know not how captain Snip felt upon descending to his ordinary employment, from such a height of military glory, but I myself have been sad and melancholy ever since, when I reflected upon the events of the day.