and finding security to answer any prosecution if called upon, at their return. Some of the King's justices were sometimes empowered to issue these pardons, and to receive the bonds of the criminals, after which they were allowed a small time to prepare for their voyage; they were then assembled by writs issued to the sheriffs of the different counties of England, directing them to cause it to be cried throughout their districts that all such as had charters of pardon should repair towards the sea, to enter into the pay and service of the King, at certain named seaports; so that they were there at a certain time, under penalty of losing their charters of pardon.*

Under threats of invasion or other times of public danger, Volunteer Infantry. large bodies of Volunteers have been raised; indeed, nearly the whole able-bodied population have at all times been armed. When these troops take the field, or are charged with any post of defence, they pass immediately under the order of the Commander-in-Chief. In ordinary cases, however, they are under the authority of the Home Secretary; their charges and expenses enter into the department of the Secretary-at-War; their arming is entrusted to the Board of Ordnance.

The Lords-Lieutenants of the several counties command the Volunteers, as well as the Militia, in certain cases. Through them communications pass between these troops and the different branches of the ministry. They name the officers, subject to the approbation of the Crown. The levy and formation of troops or companies of battalions and regiments are also under their directions and that of the deputies.

The Volunteer corps are now however almost entirely Yeomanry. *Grose's Military Antiquities, p. 74.

composed of Yeomanry Cavalry, and consist of rather more than 14,000, at an expense of about £88,000.*

Privileges. The Volunteers are entitled to certain privileges. Effective members of Yeomanry or Volunteer corps are exempt from service in the Militia, or in any additional corps of reserve; though this does not extend to corps whose offers to the crown of their services specified that such exemption would not be claimed, or to those who have more than their proper establishment. Persons are deemed effective members who attend two days if cavalry,† and eight if infantry, in every four months, (unless disabled by sickness or on furlough,) preceding the 1st days of April, August, and December; on which days the Commanding Officers of each county are bound to make returns of their corps every four months, to the clerks of general meetings in their respective counties, of the non-effective and effective men in their corps. ‡

The members are still exempt, even if unprovided with arms and accoutrements, provided they attend muster; or even if absent on leave, so that they attend duty the whole number of days within eight months. The Commanding Officer gives certificates of attendance to effective men residing in other counties.§

No tolls can be demanded for a horse ridden by a Volunteer going to exercise, provided he is dressed in the uniform of his corps, and has his arms and accoutrements, according to regulations. No effective member is liable to serve in the office of constable. ||

* Army Estimates, 1854.

Making six days in one year. Five successive days also entitle a trooper to be returned as effective. 56 Geo. III. c. 39.

44 Geo. III. c. 54, secs. 4, 5, and 9.

§ Idem, sec. 10.

Idem, sec. 13; 57 Geo. III. c. 44, sec. 3.

To claim exemption, however, as a Volunteer, it is necessary that the Commanding Officer shall have certified in the muster rolls of the corps that the corps has been or is ready to be inspected, by some General or Field Officer of the Queen's forces. The Commanding Officer and clerk of general meetings make the proper returns, under penalties for untruthfulness or neglect."

In fixing the proportions of the subdivisions of men to serve in the Militia, the Volunteers exempted are deducted, and the proportions determined accordingly. Yeomanry and Volunteers are not however exempt from the ballot; but notice is given to them, if they are chosen, that they will become liable to serve if they leave the Volunteer corps. When they quit one corps for another, and have a certificate of attendance, if chosen to serve in the Militia of the subdivision of the second corps, they become wholly exempt as to the first. †

Volunteers and Yeomanry take the oath of allegiance. ‡

Staff.

The permanent staffs, which consist of adjutants, ser- Permanent jeant-majors, drill-serjeants, serjeants, trumpeters, buglemen, drummers, and farriers, are under the Mutiny Act and Articles of War. Courts-martial are formed under the same plan as those for the permanent staff of the Militia; they cannot award any punishment which extends to life or limb, except where the corps is called out in cases of invasion, or on the appearance of an enemy on the coast. As in the Militia, officers of volunteers cannot sit on the trial of Regulars.§

44 Geo. III. c. 54, 12-15; Commanding Officer £200, Clerk of Meetings £50.

† Idem, secs. 16, 17, 18, and 19.

Idem, sec. 20.

§ Idem, secs. 21, 25.

Duties.

Discipline.

Quitting
Corps.

In all cases of actual invasion, or on the appearance of an enemy on the coast, or of rebellion or insurrection arising in the country, all corps of Yeomanry and Volunteers, on summons or signal, must, assemble and march according to the terms of their services, and on neglect are deemed deserters. Corps so assembling or marching, as well as those voluntarily, on the appearance of danger, for exercise, to aid the civil power, or for any other military purpose, are subject during the time they are out to the Mutiny Act and Articles of War. When the corps is out, either on a signal of alarm or voluntarily, the Queen may place the corps under the command of General Officers, from time to time; but the corps has a right to be led by its own Regimental Officers, and there is no power to remove any man from one regiment to another.*

Volunteer and Yeomanry Officers rank with those of the regular and militia forces, as the youngest of their rank.

When not under the authority of the Mutiny Act and Articles of War, the Volunteer corps are controlled by a power in the Commanding Officer to discharge members (when not on actual service, and not commissioned officers) for disobedience of orders, or to disallow any day of attendance, on which a member misconducts himself; or if the misconduct occurs during exercise, may order him into custody during the time the corps remains under arms. †

Volunteers and Yeomanry are entitled to quit their corps, when not summoned or assembled on actual service or voluntary military duty, on giving their Commanding Officer fourteen days' notice, and on delivering up their arms

* 44 Geo. III. c. 54, secs. 22, 23, 24, 26.

† Idem, secs. 27, 28, 29.

and paying all fines. They are also considered as discharged, if enlisted into the Queen's forces. Persons quitting their corps, except from the last cause, become again liable to serve in the Militia. Any person who thinks himself aggrieved by reason of his Commanding Officer refusing to strike his name out of the muster roll, after having given the proper notice to quit, has an appeal to two Deputy-Lieutenants, or one and a justice, whose determination is final.*

With regard to the maintenance of these Volunteers, Maintenance. when called into military service, two guineas† per man is paid by the Secretary-at-War, to the Captain of each troop or company, to be laid out by the Captain for the troops; and if the volunteers assemble voluntarily one guinea is paid. This money must be accounted for by the Captain, after the exercise or service. No money, however, is paid for any person who does not deserve it. When any corps is assembled for any military duty, or to aid the civil power,‡ with the approbation of the Queen, the men are entitled to pay and billet, the same as other forces; and their families to the same relief as the families of militiamen. § After the defeat of the enemy the corps are entitled to return to their homes; and a guinea is paid to each man willing to receive it, in order to aid him in his journey.

Pensions.

Commissioned officers disabled in service are entitled to Half-pay and half-pay, and other members of the corps to the benefit of Chelsea Hospital. Widows of officers killed in service are

* 44 Geo. III. c. 54, secs. 30, 33.

† 7 Geo. IV. c. 58, sec. 4.

57 Geo. III. c. 44, sec. 1.

§ The monies advanced to families in England are repaid to the Overseers by the County Receivers-General. No assessment can be made in Scotland for repayment of such money.