Britain at Work
A Pictorial Description of Our National Industries

At the expiration of the depot term recruits are des- patched in drafts to a battalion of their regiment serving at home. In the case of the cavalry, however, the recruit is sent straight to his regiment, unless it happens to be abroad, when he joins the cavalry depot at Canter- bury. The cavalry recruit has to learn the use of EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE ARMY. 307 lance, and to practise on foot the different formations of cavalry, before taking his place in the mounted ranks. Simultaneously with this drill he is performing stable work, learning fencing, and going through a gymnastic course. All this lasts fully two months, after which he is handed over to the riding master, to undergo a course of 120 lessons, or thereabouts. The riding- school course is, indeed, a most thorough one. For some forty lessons the young soldier has to ride without stirrups, for in no other manner can the strength below the waist and the balance and grip be acquired ; then follows practice in riding without reins at a trot or canter, his arms folded, and leaping; while the last part of his training is devoted to teaching him how to use his weapons in the saddle. Dis- missed riding school, the young cavalryman has only to pass through the musketry course, and he has qualified as a trained soldier. In the Royal Artillery the course of instruction has necessarily numerous peculiar features of its own. In this branch of the service the soldier is either a gunner or a driver, and both must léarn to march and undergo schooling and gymnastics. The