ARTILLERY COMPANY, HONORABLE, is the oldest existing volunteer corps in Britain. Four military bodies—the A. C., the Sergeant-at-Arms, the Yeomen of the Guard, and the Gentlemen Pensioners, were established as far back as the time of the Tudors; they all still exist, but under greatly altered circumstances. In 1537, Henry VIII. granted a patent to three persons, appointing them "overseers of the science of artillery," for long-bows, cross-bows, and band-guns. They were to constitute a guild or fraternity fyr this purpose, with power to appoint assistants and successors, to pur chase lands, and to use a common seal; and their formal official name became "The Masters. Rulers, and Commonalty of the Fraternity or Guild of Artillery of Long-bows, Cross-bows. and Hand-guns." The freemen of the guild or company were empowered to keep arms, and to exercise themselves in shooting. In 1605 a patent was granted by .James intended chiefly to effect the preservation of the shooting and practising grounds around London, for the A. C. In 1633 a commission was appointed by Charles L. still further to insure this object. In 1638 the corporation of the city of London pre sented to the company the plot of ground ever since called the artillery ground, near Moorfields, as a field for military exercise. Royal princes frequently enrolled themselves as members of the company, usually as "captain-general." In 1719, George I. issued an order that all commission and staff officers of the city train-bands (a metropolitan militia) should become members of the A. C., and exercise with the other members at all convenient times. The word "artillery" had heretofore been considered as applying to bows and arrows as well as to firearms; but the members of the company, like other marksmen, had almost abandoned archery, without, however, making any change in their designation. In a summons to the company to meet for exercise on a particular
day in 1682, it is said: "Those gentlemen that on that day handle muskets fire desired to take care that their arms arc clean and well fixed, and that they bring with them fine dry powder, and even match." The company, like many other city guilds, has nearly outlived its original purpose. In 1780, when the "Lord George Gordon riots" afflicted the metropolis, the members of the A. C. effectually protected the bank of England; in 1848, when 01,artist riots were apprehended, the company was on the alert to render good service if needed; and in the spring of 1859, when an uneasy feeling prevailed in England concerning the designs of France, the members polished their arms and looked forward to eventualities; but the company has never been engaged in actual warfare. with an enemy.
The A. C. consists of members elected by ballot, who pay one guinea annual sub scription, and supply themselves with dress, arms, and accouterments. These payments. together with the rental received from a small amount of real property, constitute the fund out of which the expenses are defrayed. The members learn rifle•shooting as well as artillery practice; there arc certain days of meeting at Moorfields; and every summer there are certain days of drill and practice at Seaford. The corps comprises six infantry companies, a grenadier company, a light-infantry company, a rifle company, and an artillery company. Until 1849, the members elected their own officers; but since that year the crown has appointed them on the nomination of the lieutenancy of the city of London. The lieutenant-colonel appoints the non-commissioned officers.