These local names mean very little, for, as a matter of policy, men from all parts of Italy are mixed indiscriminately together in each Brigade.  The Parma Brigade, for example, will contain only a few men from Parma, and them by chance.  One of the objects of this policy is to help to break down those regional barriers, which still linger owing to historical causes, between different districts of Italy.  It is often remarked that men from many parts of Italy know more of foreign countries than of other parts of their own country, and most of the numerous local dialects are hardly intelligible to men who live far from the districts where they are spoken.  Ordinary Italian, which is in fact the local dialect of Rome, is, as it were, the lingua franca of the whole country, but the great majority of Italians speak not only Italian but one, or sometimes several, local dialects, and the latter are used by all classes in their own homes.  Some of these dialects differ widely from Italian.  In many remote districts some of the peasants cannot speak Italian at all.

The Alpini and the two Sardinian Brigades, Cagliari and Sassari, are exceptions to the rule mentioned above.  The Alpini are in peace-time recruited entirely from the men who dwell in the Alps, though I believe that during the present war a certain number of men from the Apennines have also been included in Alpini Battalions.  The Alpini are specially used for warfare in the mountains.  They wear in their hats a single long feather.  Closely attached to the Alpini are the Mountain Artillery, armed with light guns of about the same calibre as our own twelve-pounders.  They too are recruited from the mountaineers and wear the Alpino hat and single feather.  The Alpini have a magnificent regimental spirit and, in my judgment, are the equals of any troops in the world.

The Cagliari and Sassari Brigades, two of the best in the Italian Army, are composed entirely of Sardinians.  When in the front line they use the Sardinian dialect on the telephone.  Even if the Austrians succeed, by means of “listening sets,” in overhearing them, it hardly matters, for it is not likely that anyone in the Austrian front line will understand!

The Bersaglieri, another famous Italian Regiment, are recruited from all parts of Italy, but only from men of high physical fitness.  They correspond roughly to the Light Infantry of other Armies, and always drill and march to a very quick step, even when carrying machine guns on their shoulders.  Their hats decked with a mass of green cocks’ feathers are familiar in illustrations.  The Bersagliere Cyclist Companies, used for scouting purposes, form part of the Regiment.  The Bersagliere undress cap is a red fez with a blue tassel.