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MUTINY ACT AND ARTICLES OF WAR.

THE following extracts are from the "Articles and Rules for the better Government of his Majestie's Forces by Land, during this present War. M.DC,LXXIII:"

"DUTIES TO ALMIGHTY GOD.

Art. I.

"All Officers and Souldiers (not having just impediment) shall diligently frequent Divine Service and Sermon, on Sundays and other Days, especially Festivals, or Days set apart for Publick Fasting and Humiliation, in such Places as shall be appointed for the Regiment wherein they serve. And for those, who either wilfully or negligently absent themselves from Divine Service or Sermon, or else, being present, do behave themselves indecently or irreverently during the same; if they be Officers, they shall be severely reprehended at a Court-Martial; but if Souldiers, they shall for every such first Offence, forfeit each man Twelve pence, to be deducted out of his next Pay; and for the second Offence, shall forfeit Twelve Pence, and be laid in Irons for Twelve Hours. And for every like Offence afterwards, shall suffer and pay in like mn ner.

"Art. IV.

"If any Officer or Souldier shall presume to blas

pheme the Holy and undivided Trinity, or the Persons of God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Ghost; or shall presume to speak against any known Article of the Christian Faith, he shall have his Tongue bored through with a red hot Iron."

This punishment is mentioned in the war ordinances of the Earl of Northumberland, in the reign of Charles I., and continued in force to the period of James II.

The red hot iron has passed away, but the offence for which it was formerly inflicted is still punishable, as will be seen by the accompanying extracts from the "Rules and Articles for the better Government of all her Majesty's Forces" of the present year; and for improper behaviour at Divine Service, a forfeit of twelve pence is still in force ::

"DIVINE WORSHIP.

"Art. 35.

"ANY Officer or Soldier who shall speak against any known Article of the Christian Faith shall be delivered over to the Civil Magistrate, to be proceeded against according to Law."

"Art. 36.

"ANY Officer or Soldier who, not having just Impediment, shall not regularly attend Divine Service and Sermon in the Place appointed for the assembling of the Corps to which he belongs; or who shall wilfully absent himself; or who, being present, shall behave indecently or irreverently; or who shall use any unlawful Oath or Execration; shall, if an Officer, be brought before a General Court-martial, and, on being convicted

thereof, be publicly and severely reprimanded ;-and if a Soldier, shall be brought before a Regimental, or other Court-martial, and, on being convicted thereof, shall for the First Offence, forfeit Twelve pence, to be deducted out of his next Pay; and for the Second Offence, not only forfeit Twelve pence, but be placed in Confinement for Twelve Hours ;-and for every further like Offence shall suffer and pay in like Manner; and the Money so forfeited shall be applied to the Use of the sick Soldiers of the Troop or Company to which the Offender belongs."

The origin of the Mutiny Act is attributed to the circumstance of the present First Foot, or Royals, having refused to embark for the Netherlands, in 1689. This regiment had been a great favourite with James II., in consequence of its antiquity, valour, and good conduct, and having preserved its loyalty to the last, did not expect to be well received by William III.; besides which the order was considered premature, as the national assembly of Scotland had not declared for the new sovereign. This made the officers and soldiers imagine that they were not bound to obey the commands issued, and under this impression, several of them, after seizing the money appointed for their pay, marched towards Scotland with four pieces of cannon. They were overtaken in Lincolnshire, and about twenty officers and five hundred men, who had previously been convinced of their error, laid down their arms and submitted themselves to the king's clemency. William III. is stated to have admired the devotedness of the corps to his predecessor, when he was forsaken by almost every one, not excepting his own children, and, after dismissing

three or four officers, pardoned the remainder of the regiment.

The first regular Mutiny Bill was passed on the 3rd of April, 1689, and is now annually renewed, by Parliament.

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