�� children emphasised. Under his
auspices, too, and helped by Sir David Dundas, the somewhat varied and
irregular systems of drill were made uniform by the introduction of the
first real drill-book, the _Rules and Regulations for the Formations,
Field Exercise, and Movements of His Majesty’s Forces_, in 1792.

At that time Prussia was looked on as the great schoolmaster in the
art-military, as France was later, and as Germany is now. The English
army has been mainly a copyist of other people’s methods since the
century began. If, after the Crimea or the Italian campaign of 1859,
we adopted kepi-shaped hats, baggy “pegtop” trousers, and “booted
overalls” for riding, so, when Germany became successful, we copied her
“Blucher boots,” flat-topped forage-caps, infantry helmet, and rank
distinctions!

In this case, too, the Prussian system was the basis of our drill
instruction, and, with but slight modifications, so remained until
1870, when linear formations gave place to extended order.

The pace was increased from 75 to 80 per minute for the ordinary march
or movement, but one of 120 (our present quick march) was permitted
for wheeling and such minor manœuvres! The ranks were, when the book
first appeared, three deep, as obtained in Germany, until the death
of the late Emperor; but light infantry were allowed to form two deep
before skirmishing. The battalion had ten companies, including the
flank or “Light” and “Grenadier” companies. The absolute rigidity of
the line was insisted on. To be able to form line from open column
without either making gaps or causing crowding was the essence of good
drill; and hence, the “march past,” if well executed, was really then
a true test of the efficiency of a battalion. Other editions of this
drill-book were published in 1809, 1815, and 1817, but in 1808, the
three-rank formation was abolished for active service. It has been
surmised that the necessity, with the small armies we despatched in
these days, of this reduction in depth was made in order