Note 627 — Chapter XXXIX · THE ARMY AND NAVY.
Reading edition
In cases, however, of civil commotion, the train bands were generally called out. These citizen soldiers were ever the laughing stock of the wits of their day, and Steele cannot help having his joke upon them.[627] 'The Chief Citizens, like the noble Italians, hire Mercenaries to carry arms in their Stead; and you shall have a fellow of desperate fortune, for the gain of one half Crown, go through all the dangers of Tothill Fields, or the Artillery Ground, clap his right jaw within two inches of the touch-hole of a Musquet, fire it off, and huzza, with as little concern as he tears a pullet.'