A wounded New South Wales Mounted Rifle.] [Sidenote: [DEC. 1899.] [Sidenote: Imperial Yeomanry.] For the raising and equipment of the Imperial Yeomanry, 8,000 strong, private effort and subscription were entirely responsible. The work of organisation was undertaken by Lord Chesham, and in every county committees were formed to further the recruiting of the corps. The idea was to enrol young men who were good riders and good shots, and it was carried out with very fair success. There was no want of men; the only difficulty was to find suitable men. The great nobles and wealthy families of the country were forward in volunteering. The Duke of Marlborough, Earl Dudley, Lord Alwyne Compton, the Marquis of Hertford, the Hon. T. A. Brassey--a well-known writer upon naval matters--and the Hon. Schomberg K. M'Donnell, private secretary to Lord Salisbury, were a few typical names from the long list of those who sacrificed comfort and ease for a life of pain and hardship in South Africa. Among the various corps raised were companies of rough riders, composed of "bachelor gentlemen" who provided their own arms, and several companies the ranks of which were entirely filled by gentlemen. In all, nineteen battalions were enlisted, in each case four companies strong, the companies numbered consecutively from 1 to 76. More might have been raised, but in March, 1900, enlistment was stopped by the Government. [Illustration: [_Photo by Surgeon-Major Beevor._ FROM FAR BURMA. A volunteer, mounted on his little Burmese pony.] [Illustration: [_Photo by Skeene, Colombo._ VOLUNTEERS FROM CEYLON. The contingent of Ceylon Mounted Infantry (mostly tea-planters, and good riders and marksmen) leaving Colombo for the Cape, Feb. 1, 1900.] [Illustration: _R. Caton Woodville._] FIRST ON THE TOP! Some of London's Volunteers show their mettle.] [Sidenote: Gloomy outlook.] [Sidenote: [DEC. 1899.]