'The views and opinions of Brigadier General John Jacob, CB. Aide-decamp to the Queen; Aide-de-camp to the Governor General of India, &c. &c. &c.; late commanding in chief the British forces in Persia; at present commanding the Sind Irregular Horse, and Political Superintendent of the North-West frontier of Sind.' [‎184] (215/481)

184
country, with whom they would necessarily take care to
be on the best terms.
There would also be, in this system, the best possible
check on men carrying too much baggage. A sepoy Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. , who
had to keep himself provided with proper carriage at his
own expense, would very soon discover what articles were
necessary to be carried; and would assuredly carry none
which were useless or superfluous.
The men might be a little awkward at first, from not
being accustomed to such work, but would very soon
master every difficulty.
If more leisure time were required for the proper per
formance of their new duties, abolish pipeclay, give the
men black belts, and at least one hour more a day would
be at their disposal. The ill. effects of pipeclay, of leather
stocks, of chacos, and of knapsacks for soldiers in India,
are unspeakable ; and the wisdom of using them in the army
resembles that of a manufacturer who should tie up the
limbs or disable the right arms of his artificers, in the hope
of improving their handiwork.
THE MILITARY FUND.
Unquestionably the military fund has, by encouraging
imprudent marriages, been attended with very ill conse
quences. The knowledge that, in the event of death, the
widow and children will be provided for by this fund, has,
more than any other cause perhaps, contributed to the
uncommon spectacle of an army a large percentage of
whose subaltern officers are married. Aware that in any
event there will be the provision of this fund for the
widow and children, the parents of the bride are less
careful of requiring from the bridegroom those very qua
lities—thrift, energy, and power of general management—