ficiency. Indeed, we may here observe that all the earnings of the men are their own, only excepting the stipulated payments before mentioned.

The tariff of permanent employment is as follows:-Sergeants of the 1st class, l. 58. per week; sergeants, l. 18.; corporals, l.; Ist class commissionaires, 188. For temporary employment: sergeants, 48. per day, 3s. half day; corporals and 1st class, 38. 6d. per day, and 2s. 6d. half day. If sent out of their district, sergeants get 4s. 6d. per day, or 258. per week; corporals and 1st class men, 4s. per day, or 228. per week.

It is impossible to ascertain how much the men earn on posts in the streets as messengers, because they are not called upon to pay any percentage on their earnings to the funds of the corps, but it cannot be less than 2s. 6d. per day, some earning much more.

The number of permanently employed in London and in the country is 250, at wages averaging 208. per week, or value for 208.

Such being the earnings of the men, we are not surprised to learn that the amount of deposits in the savings bank of the corps is 1372l., contributed by 103 depositors.

Such has been the progress of the Corps of Commissionaires, whose strength was, on the 31st March, 340 men, 250 being in permanent employment, so engaged on posts, and the remainder at head-quarters, including staff, band, &c.

The average monthly applications for permanent employment of Commissionaires are 20, and the average number filled is 14.

During the previous twelve months 176 new members joined, 44 men were dismissed, 16 died, and there were 56 resignations.

From the Adjutant's Report it appears that the increase of men over last year has been in the ratio of 21 per cent. This has arisen chiefly in consequence of the number of applications from private employers, who, from an experience of seven years, are in a position to appreciate the advantages of selecting their servants from a body of men

whose personal conduct and character are raised to a high and uniform standard. In connection with this subject, we may mention that about two years ago, on the application of the manager of a large mercantile company at Tahiti, two Commissionaires were sent out to that island, where they are now employed in situations requiring considerable confidence and ability. One of these men (who has lost an arm) is in receipt of more than 2001. a year, and has already sent home 200l. for investment in the savings bank of the corps. The conduct of both has given such entire satisfaction that the directors applied for ten additional men, who, with their families, were sent out last December. The engagement lasts for five years, and will enable the men to return home at its expiration with a competency for life. A circumstance of this nature is not only a high compliment to the system of the corps, but a practical proof of its utility, both as respects its members and the public.

It is also most gratifying to find that H. R. H. the Prince of Wales has not only honoured the corps by becoming one of its governors-has not only shown his interest in it by a subscription to the Endowment Fund, but has also, for the last three seasons, constantly employed one or more of the men.

The War Department has also increased the number of Commissionaires engaged in its various departments, and sanctioned an addition to their rate of pay. Many Commissionaires are engaged as night watchmen, their uniform and regularity being a great advantage, especially as regards the co-operation of the police.

The Endowment Fund, open to general subscription, has lately received a most important addition to its resources from the transfer by its former trustees, into the hands of the Charity Commissioners, of the balance of the Times' Crimean Fund, amounting to nearly 10,000l.

The institution is now managedof course still under the direction of the gallant founder-by an executive committee, permanent trustees,

and an administrative board, all consisting of men of exalted position and social influence, the corps itself being under the patronage of Field Marshal H. R. H. the Duke of Cambridge.

Besides these, there are 'governors,' who qualify by the payment of 251.; and when it is more generally known that this subscription qualifies a battalion or regiment of 1000 men for perpetual governorship, we have little doubt that many will follow the good example of those who have already qualified, or whose men have already derived benefit from an institution the utility of which has now been tested by the experience of several years, not only as a provision for pensioners of good character, but as a practical example to those classes from which our recruits are obtained-that their ultimate condition is not entirely uncared for.

Of course it is only the want of funds that can prevent such an institution from doing all the good it is adapted to effect. More accommodation and better quarters are required, and we cannot help thinking that it would be worth the while of some enterprising capitalist to invest his money in providing our Commissionaires with suitable headquarters and barracks instead of those which they now occupy in Exchange Court, in the Strand. Such a concern will always be in 'a paying condition.' It will be indefinitely extended rather than be suffered to decline, because it will supply the great deficiency in our military system-some hope of provision for the soldier after concluding his term of service.

In conclusion, we may state that the greater proportion of the men are decorated with from one to five medals; and one of them, Corporal James Shaw, late of the 6th Dragoon Guards, is quite a hero of the service. He served in the East Indies from 1840 to 1855, in the Crimea and Turkey from 1855 to 1856, and then in the East Indies again from 1856 to 1861, thus completing twenty-one years of service.

He served with the 16th Lancers in the campaign against the Mah

rattas in 1843; was present at the battle of Maharajpore, for which he received a bronze star; served in the Sutlej campaign against the Sikhs in 1845-46, and was present at the battles of Aliwal and Sobraon, for which he received a silver medal with one clasp.

He then volunteered to the 3rd Light Dragoons, and served with the army of the Punjaub, 1848-49; was present at the battle of Ramnugger, the passage of the Chenab, the battle of Sodvolapore, the battle of Chilianwallah, and the battle of Goojerat, for which he received a silver medal with two clasps.

In 1852 Shaw volunteered to the 10th Hussars, served in the Crimean campaign, and received the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol, and also the Turkish medal.

Four years afterwards, in 1856, we find the warrior again volunteering, this time to the 6th Dragoon Guards, and proceeding with the regiment to India. He was present at the outbreak of the mutiny at Meerut on the 10th of May, 1857, and at the battles of the Hindon, Budlekee Serai, and the occupation of the heights of Delhi, the siege and storming of Delhi, and all the minor operations during the siege, for which he received a silver medal and clasp. He was present at the capture of Rewaree, the action at Ranaud, the surprise and capture of the City of Funucknugger, and the subsequent reduction of the Taro and Soula districts. He served as provost marshal through the Rohilcund campaign, was present at the battle of Nuguna, the capture of Bareilly, the relief and attack of Shajeehanpore, and the subsequent operations against the Moulvie and Khan Bahadoor Rhau near Mahomdee. He fought at the action of Shahabad, at Buragaon, Pasgaon, Rusoolpore, the capture of the Fort of Mitowlee, the surprise of the rebels near Bishwa, in the pursuit by forced marches of Prince Ferozeshah, and with the force under Brigadier Showers, C.B., which pursued the rebel Tantia Topee to his capture. After all this work, the reader will not be surprised to learn that Corporal Shaw received a medal