n full dress and (save for a
firing-party of twelve who would carry carbines) without arms. A
special black horse would be decked out with a pall of black velvet
and black plumes. Across this horse the spurred jackboots of the dead
man would be slung with toes pointing to the rear. Two men, wearing
black cloaks, would lead the horse by means of new handkerchiefs
passed through the bridoon rings of its bridle, handkerchiefs which
would become their perquisites and _memento mori_.

With crape-draped drums, the band, in silence, would lead the troop to
the mortuary where would await it a gun-carriage with its six horses
and coffin-supporting attachment. Here the troop would break ranks,
file into the mortuary and bare-headed take, each man, his last look
at the face of the dead as he lay in his coffin. The lid would then be
screwed on, the troop would form a double line, facing inward, the
firing-party would "present arms," and six of the dead man's more
particular pals, or of his "townies," would bear the coffin out and
place it upon the gun-carriage. It would then be covered with a Union
Jack and on it would be placed the helmet, sword, and carbine of the
deceased trooper, the firing-party standing meanwhile, leaning on
their reversed carbines, with bowed heads.

As the melancholy procession formed up for its march to the graveyard,
the smallest and junior men would take front place, the bigger and
senior men behind them, non-commissioned officers would follow, and
subalterns and captain last of all. In stepping off from the halt, all
would step off with the right foot instead of with the left.
Apparently the object was to reverse ordinary procedure to the
uttermost--which would but be in keeping with the great reversal of
showing honour to such an unhonoured thing as a private soldier--one
of the despised and rejected band that enable the respectable,
wealthy, and smug to remain so; one of the "licentious soldiery" that
have made, and that keep, the Empire of which the respectable wealthy
and smug are so proud.

At the "slow march," and in perfect silence until beyond hearing by
the inmates of the Hospital, the cortege would proceed. Anon the band
would call heaven and earth to mourn with the sonorous dreadful
strains of the Dead March; whereafter the ordinary "quick march" would
bring the funeral party to the cemetery, in sight of which the "slow
march" would be resumed, and the Chaplain, surpliced, book-bearing,
c