Volume 99 — "C'EST MAGNIFIQUE! MAIS—"
Reading edition
Mr. Bull (Paymaster). "WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT?"
Mr. Punch (Umpire-in Chief). "FINE RIDER—FINE HORSE! BUT—AS A CAVALRY SOLDIER—HAS TO LEARN HIS BUSINESS!"
["How then about the British Cavalry of September, 1890? A spectator who has taken part in modern regular war, and has watched the manoeuvres, said one day to me when I accosted him, in an apologetic tone, 'I have hitherto done your Army injustice, I will not do so again; I had no idea how well your officers and your troopers ride,—they are very fine horsemen.' There he stopped; I waited for more, but he had ended; his silence was a crushing criticism, unintentionally too severe, but very true.... I assert, therefore, that at this moment, our Cavalry is inefficient, and not prepared for war."—The Times Military Correspondent.]
Air—"Tally-Ho!" (from the Balliol Song-Book.)
"Of all the recreations with which mortal man is blest" (Says BALLIOL's Song) "fox-hunting still is pleasantest and best." A Briton in the saddle is a picture, and our pride, In scarlet or in uniform at least our lads can ride. Away, away they go, With a tally, tally-ho! With a tally, tally, tally, tally, tally, tally-ho! But riding, for our Cavalry, is, after all, not all. To lead the field, to leap a fence, to bravely face a fall, Are well enough. And first-rate stuff from the hunting-field may come, But something more is wanted when Bellona beats her drum, And calls our lads to go, With a rally, rally-ho! &c. Good men and rattling horses are not all that England needs; She wants sound knowledge in the men, and training in the steeds. Scouting and reconnaissance are not needed for the fox, Nor "leading in big masses" for the furious final shocks, When away the troopers go, With a rally, rally, ho! &c. But when a squadron charges on the real field of war, Courage and a good seat alone will not go very far; Our lads must "know their business," and their officers must "lead," Not with cross-country dash alone, but skill and prudent heed, When away the troopers go, With a rally, rally, ho! &c. War's field will test the Cavalry, or clad in blue or red; In all things they must "thorough" be, as well as thorough-bred. "Heavy" or "light," they'll have to fight; not such mad, headlong fray, As marked for fame with pride—and shame—that Balaklava day, When away our lads did go, With a rally, rally, ho! &c. Eh? "Inefficient," Mr. BULL, "and not prepared for war?" That judgment, if 'tis near the truth, on patriot souls must jar. And Mr. Punch (Umpire-in-Chief) to JOHN (Paymaster), cries, "You'll have to test the truth of this before the need arise For our lads away to go. With a rally, rally-ho!" &c And since that Soldier's incomplete for Duty unprepared, Although he's game to dare the worst that ever Briton dared, To supplement our trooper's skill in saddle, pluck and dash, You must have more manoeuvres, JOHN, and—if needs be,—more cash! Then away away we'll go With a tally rally-ho! And never be afraid to face the strongest, fiercest foe.
Journalism in France. Journalism in England.
(A Contrast.)