Yet another correspondent arises in defence of use of white mess jackets by civilians which was recently attacked by an ex-Service man. First, he says, buttons and badges really are the things that make a "uniform," for the law allows the red-nosed, fuzzy-haired gentry of the music halls to cut capers in clothes that are full uniform, barring these little essentials. Then again, where is the line to be drawn? The blue double-breasted reefer suit is naval uniform without the buttons and insignia of rank, equally as much as the white mess jacket. Must not a Scottish Highlander wear his country's garb because the Army has adopted kilts, doublets, plaids and bonnets—Lovats and Balmorals, at least, for the Glengarry does not matter so much, being an English invention. Must "plus fours' never be seen again on the golf links because the Guards have adopted them? The service tunic is 01 ly a {modified Norfolk jacket: is the sporting Norfolk jacket to be taboo also? And will Bedford cord riding breeches be deniett to the civilian horseman because they are part of the field service dress? The comfortable covert coat of fleece or box cloth will also be impossible because it is sanctioned for officer's wear as a "British warm." Tt should be noted, too, that the civilian mess jacket always has a roll collar, which very few military jackets have, the majority of them having plain fronts and a stand-up collar. Furthermore, what about riding boots, field boots, khaki puttees, khaki collars and ties, for there are men who wear these: are they all to be worn only by soldiers? Even the braided trousers are a military style of evening dress.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.