The highest rank in the Swiss army is that of colonel. In the event of war the Federal Assembly nominates a general, who takes command till the troops are disbanded. The only officer at present in the service who has held that temporary rank is General Herzog, the commander of the troops in 1871, and who is now doing regular duty as a colonel. Then come lieutenant-colonel, major, captain, and first lieutenant; these constitute the commissioned officers. The non-commissioned officers are sergeant-major, quartermaster-sergeant, sergeant, and corporal. Colonels command divisions and brigades; lieutenant-colonels, regiments; majors, battalions; and captains, companies. The Cantons nominate officers up to the rank of _commandant de bataillon_, subject to the approval of the federal military authorities. Officers of higher rank than _commandant de bataillon_ hold their commissions from the Federal Council. Then there is a general staff or _État major_, appointed by the Federal Council, consisting of three colonels, sixteen lieutenant-colonels or majors, and thirty-five captains. The chief of this staff is appointed by the Council for a term of three years, and is practically in charge of the forces during peace. The pay of the army, like all branches of public service in Switzerland, is on a very economical scale. With the exception of the members of the general staff and corps of instructors (the former substantially constitutes the latter), who are permanently in the service, officers and privates only receive pay during active service,--that is, during the short drill periods or in time of war. The commander-in-chief (who only serves in time of war) receives fifty francs per day. Francs. Colonel commanding division receives 30 Colonel commanding brigade ” 25 Colonel ” 20 Lieutenant-Colonel ” 15 Major ” 12 Captain ” 10 First Lieutenant ” 8 Second Lieutenant ” 7 Personal allowance for uniform and equipments: Francs. For officers not mounted 200 For officers mounted 250 For equipment of horses 250