JUVENILE RIFLE CORPS.

“Mr. Punch, “Acacia House Academy, January, 1860.

“Please, Sir, it says in the paper that there is a talk of military training in public schools. That means College boys only; but I wish you would try to get all of us to have to be taught to be soldiers, and especially shooting with the rifle, which would be jolly fun. There is nothing like beginning when a fellow is young; an old Slater would be so precious mad. If he smells the least gunpowder, he gets into such a rage; and just let him find a chap out letting off a squib or a cracker,- wouldn’t a fellow just catch it, that’s all! Shouldn’t I like him to see me biting off the end of a cartridge, in which I would make mouths at him, as if I couldn’t help it. Rifles is a game I would ever so much sooner play than prisoner’s base, or football, or even cricket; and I’d a good deal rather have a lot of bullets than so many marbles, even if they were all alleys. Do, Mr. Punch, try and make old Slater forced to have us all drilled and brought up to be Riflemen, to fight for our parents and friends. The College boys would be only a few, but we should be ever so many. I shall now conclude, hoping, next half, that, instead of nothing but lessons and sums, our preceptor will enjoy the pleasing task of reaching the young idea how to shoot; and I remain, dear Mr. Punch, home for the holidays,

“Your young Friend,

“Briggs, Junior.”

“P.S. I’ve just thought of some copies that could be set for boys that were being frilled and brought up to be Volunteers. For instance, Avoid Quakers; Advance Artillery; Britons Shoot Home; Charge Bayonets; Cavalry are Wanted; Drill is a Duty; Keep Close Order; Respect Riflemen; Shoulder Arms; Watch your Enemies, &c. What do you think of that sort of thing for text-hand copy-slips?”

Back to unnamed <<< — >>> Next to Too Good by Half.