ΤΟ MY FELLOW-SUBJECTS OF OUR BELOVED AND MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, This Volume is Dedicated, IN PRAYERFUL HOPE THAT "HE WHO RULETH OVER ALL MAY AWAKEN TO A SENSE OF NATIONAL DANGERS, AND PERPETUATE THE HITHERTO BLESSINGS OF THE VICTORIAN ERA. The numerous gratifying communications received by the Author from distinguished military and naval men, coupled with a large demand for a second edition of his little volume commemorative of the Volunteers coming of age, has induced him to re-write and extend it. The present volume is produced in hope of it being deemed worthy of presentation to Volunteers by friends of the service, as a means of its advancement and to stimulate the zeal of the force members. The book first issued bore the following prefatory note: As the First Gazetted Field Officer of the Force organized in 1859, the writer has not hesitated to accept the requested duty of compiling an Incentive Manual for the Force now recognized by His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief as having become in every respect worthy of the nation. Identified with it closely as the writer has been from its earliest dawn, he feels pride and great thankfulness that with Consolidation there is universally acknowledged Efficiency. PERMANENCE is now the desired goal. The present seems the fitting moment for an effort to secure this, as does the title of "Father of the Force," however unworthily bestowed on the writer by the late Earl of Derby, prove incentive. If the little volume shall be deemed to have helped the great purpose, he trusts that lovers of their country, who desire that it shall hold its place among the nations, may be moved to aid its circulation among the numerous classes and various channels hopeful for this designed object. With young friends in the Public Schools as suitable candidates for future officering the Nation's Volunteer Army, as with young men generally, who desire manly exercise and to apply the same with patriotic purpose to their country's welfare and advancement, he is specially desirous of kindly mentorship. To the many thousands of the youth of the nation with whom during the twenty-two years of the Force existence he has held loving, and, it is to be hoped, not unprofitable counsel, he avails himself of this opportunity to renew friendship; and, while expressing fervent gratitude to the Almighty for great mercies and success in the past, to implore permanence if such shall seem good in His sight. Ranfold Grange. Slinfold, Sussex, J. W. |