490
The Soldier's Manual.
SEP.
a season of wind and rain. This last rule seems to have some refer- ence to superstitious feelings, as if the presence of fire and lights had the effect of keeping any adverse god out of the camp.
When the camp communicates with the babitations of people, severe control should be exercised over the soldiers to keep them with- in the bounds of good order, and from committing excesses to the injury of others. To guard against disorderly conduct on the outside of the camp, and mutinous within, soldiers belonging to the green flag, in conjunction with half belonging to the black flag, are appointed to act as constables. These are expected to find out the seeds of re- bellion, and if there any plots and cabals to discover them in the bud, and thus prevent a great deal of mischief. Smoking, drinking and gaming are strictly forbidden. Idling about the door of the camp, noise and uproar are in like manner proscribed, as things incompatible with good order and promptitude in the discharge of duty.
In the fourth section, some observations occur in reference to the use of the kettle-drum and the flags, which the writer calls the cyes and ears of the soldier, as each company musters under a flag of some peculiar color. This rule forms the basis of discipline and tactics among the Chinese, and would answer as well as a similar one among the ancient Romans, had the former the same courage and the same confidence in the firmness of their officers. The voice of man commu- nicating orders should not be heard, nor any idle movements per. mitted, lest the equilibrium of the soldier's resolution should be disturb- ed. Four or five able men are appointed to take care of the standard, and by turns to carry it when the bearer is tired. The expression which is met with in Is. x. 18, "as when a standard-bearer fainteth,' and the ebbings and flowings of success among the Israelites as Moses reared or let fall his hands, had doubtless allusion to the effect which the waving or dropping of a flag had upon the minds of soldiers, while engaged in a combat. When the drum sounds aloud, continues our author, the soldiers are to advance with intrepidity, though fire and water should be before them; when by a soft murmuring it commands a retreat, though the road were filled with gold and silver, the soldiers are not permitted to set their eyes upon it, or to look at each other with a wish to take a share for themselves.
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In the fifth section, the soldier is enjoined to carry his arms when on a march, and not trust them in the hands of camp followers, lest they should be lost. The powder is to be lain in a wide empty space, and men appointed to take care of it, lest it should be injured by dampness, or exploded by candles.
Each soldier is expected to have his number