The second brigade of the Fom-th Division had one of the best bands, and played a spirited march, but, generally speaking, the music of this army has not recovered the losses of the war. The troops marched past in front of the ground on which they had just stood in line, and its nature was liighlj' favourable to the elfect of the movement, for there was a sliglit slope downwards, commencing at the spot Avhere the head of the column wheeled to the left and began its direct march towards the Generals, in whose immediate vicinity v/ere to be seen Sir Colin Campbell, Admiral Freemantle, General Windham, and a large number of officers of rank — French, Sardinian, and English — the staff of all these composing a numerous and brilliant throng.
The morning had been grey and dull lip to the commencement of the review, but the clouds then grew thinner and dispersed a little, and a few fitful gleams of sunshine shone upon Britain's legions as they descended the slope in most perfect order, a broad steady torrent of bayonets, not rapid, but irresistible. A finer military sight could hardly be seen in peace time than was presented by that matchless infantry. The healthy appearance of the men testified to good keep and much care taken of them; their soldierly carriage and perfect dressing proved that their officers had profited hj the unusually fine and open winter to hasten the military education of the numerous recruits. Where all were worthy of praise, it were invidious to point out any as particularly deserving it.
Of course there were difi'erences and degrees, and some regiments which have suffered much in the war, and consequently have very few old soldiers left, cannot be expected to look as well or to be as good as others that either came out when the campaign was nearly over, or have had little fighting and no hardship since their arrival. The Guards looked as usual, military and imposing in their lofty bearskins; the Highlanders were magnificently picturesque, and reminded one, by their statue-like immobility in the ranks, by their stern veteran aspect and lofty stature, of Vernet's pictures of the Vieille Garde on parade. They were the admiration of the foreigners present, and well they might be, for assuredly no finer troops ever fixed bayonet.
The battalions of Rifles were also much praised by the foreign officers, their fiishion of carrying their arms trailed instead of shouldered, giving a graceful ease and suppleness to their march. Many were the tattered and shot-rent banners yesterday borne by. The colours of the 23rd Fusiliers were like a sieve,, pierced with countless bullets, and telling the eloquent and bloody tale of the Alma and of Inkermann. Those of the 77th and 97th were much riddled, and so were those of many other brave regiments, some of which were fuin to keep their banners furled, their torn condition not allowing of their display to the breeze. The whole of the troops having marched past in open column, formed up at some distance to the north of Telegraphhill, on lower ground, nearer to the camp, and thither General Codrington now proceeded, followed, of course, by everybody present.
People were chilled with sitting still on their horses, and delighted to get a canter; the ground was good, the air fresh, the opportunity tempting, and away went high mettled English chargers, fleet Arabs, and tough Turkish and Tartar ponies at a smart pace. The field was a large one, and two or three small ditches towards the end of the course gave animation to the chase, until at last the General was run to earth, liard by where sat the French Marshal in his carriage, and aU pulled up to witness the second defile, which was in close column. After this the divisions marched straight away to their various camps, and the country on all sides was seen thickly sprinkled with horsemen cantering homewards, bent in most cases, I suspect, on taking to themselves something of a warming nature, for the cold had really been sharp, and no speculative canteenman had thought of sending emissaries with well-lined baskets to the scene of the review.
When all was over. Marshal Pelissier went up to General Codrington, and, as I am informed, complimented him in the highest terms on the appearance of his troops. It is impossible but that he should be greatly struck by it. The numbers on parade would have been considerably larger had the whole of our effective infantry turned out, but General Warren's brigade, stationed at Balaklava, was not ordered up, neither were the 72nd Highlanders and the two battalions of the 1st Roj'als, which are encamped someway beyond Kamara; and then there was the garrison of Sebastopol, and the Redan picket, camp guards, &c.; so that, altogether, there were many battalions, and parts of battalions stiU absent. It was purely an infantry review — no artillery was there, nor any cavalry, save the handful of Hussars employed in escorting the General and keeping the ground.
The whole affair Avent off in a most satisfactory and soldierlike way. I did not remark nor have I heard of a single blunder, and General Codrington had every reason to be proud of the army he has the honour to command.