Soldiers' Beds

The soldier's bed varíes notably in the different European armies. According to Dr. Viry, the following are the principal varieties, in which, perhaps, we may see the reflectiou of national characteristics. Iu England the bed is hard. The soldier lies on a tbin mattress that rests on canvas stretched over a frame. In Spain the soldier has only a straw bed, but he is allowed besides thisapillow, two sheets, two blankets and a covered qnilt, sonietimes even a cover for the feet. It is almost sybaritio. In Germany and Austria he has a simple straw bed with one or two covers, neither sheet nor mattress. In Russia, until recently, the soldier slept with bis clothes on on a camp bed, but now ordinary beds begin to be used - the result of contact with more civilized countries. After this itcaunotbe doubted that the Frenen soldier's bed is the best of all, with its wooden or iron bedstead, a straw bed, a wool mattress, sheets, a brown woolen coverlet and an extra quilt for cold weather. Thus the bed of the Frenen soldier is the softest of all soldiers' beds, as that of the French peasant is ackuowledged also to be the best of all Europeau countries. -