Whether, in presence of the enemy, a battalion of Volunteers would! Ibe 'as effec tive as "an equal number of regular troops, may be an open question ; but- that with equal organisation the former would be infinitely superior, admits of no doubt; and the reason is simply that the Volun teer is individually a better man—a man thinking for himself—relying upon him self—knowing what he is fighting for, and ready and able to turn this knowledge to account, without the slightest detriment to obedience and discipline. Another cause to which the unpopu larity of the army as a profession may be attributed, was touched upon by Captain Vivian. Many a young man would. be willing to undergo a certain period of military service could he be trained as a soldier without being, banished for many ; years from his native country. In the event of war, all soldiers would be liable for general service in any part,,of the world; but why should we not, during peace, have a national as distinguished from a colonial Eorce ? And why, again, should not a large portion of our Colonial Army beformed from among the various races subject to our rule, or even of races independent of our rule^ but who, like the Chinese, would make admirable sol diers if properly officered and organised '( Africans and Asiatics would form a most effective Army for garrisoning many ofil our remote and unhealthy possessions ? they would be inexpensive, and inured to climates which are destructive to Euro pean constitutions, and they would sar•■> that valuable and costly material—th • British soldier. It was a saying,'- attri buted to Colbert, that a foreign legionary was worth three men, since you gained in him the soldier you got, the soldier you spared, and the citizen you left to agricul ture. The Parliamentary Committee, ap pointed at the instance of Major Anson to report on the feasibility of some fresh plan, is now sitting; and though we must be prepared for the opposition of the Horse Guards to such an innovation, we are convinced'that before long the experi ment must be tried. - ■-'■''.■

Gastronomy. — One of the drollest "ideas" ever conceived .in connexion with journalism has to be,noted. You are aware that some time back M.. 