In fact, Military Snobs are of such number and variety, that a hundred
weeks of PUNCH would not suffice to give an audience to them. There is,
besides the disreputable old Military Snob, who has seen service, the
respectable old Military Snob, who has seen none, and gives himself the
most prodigious Martinet airs. There is the Medical-Military Snob, who
is generally more outrageously military in his conversation than the
greatest SABREUR in the army. There is the Heavy-Dragoon Snob, whom
young ladies, admire with his great stupid pink face and yellow
moustaches--a vacuous, solemn, foolish, but brave and honourable Snob.
There is the Amateur-Military Snob who writes Captain on his card
because he is a Lieutenant in the Bungay Militia. There is the
Lady-killing Military Snob; and more, who need not be named.
But let no man, we repeat, charge MR. PUNCH with disrespect for the Army
in general--that gallant and judicious Army, every man of which, from
F.M. the Duke of Wellington, &c., downwards--(with the exception of
H.R.H. Field-Marshal Prince Albert, who, however, can hardly count as a
military man,)--reads PUNCH in every quarter of the globe.
Let those civilians who sneer at the acquirements of the army read Sir
Harry Smith's account of the Battle of Aliwal. A noble deed was never
told in nobler language. And you who doubt if chivalry exists, or the
age of heroism has passed by, think of Sir Henry Hardinge, with his son,
'dear little Arthur,' riding in front of the lines at Ferozeshah.
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