Both the men of the Reserve and Coast Volunteers are expected to drill twenty-eight days in the year, either on board a district ship, a drill ship, or at the shore battery.  By these means an efficient body of men is kept up, ready for immediate service in case of war.  The men quarrel at times among themselves, the result frequently being a black eye; but they will never tell upon each other; and sometimes a very curious cause is assigned as the reason of having a black eye.  A man once said "that he had slipped and kicked himself," though how he managed to kick his own eye it is difficult to say!  Another reason often given is, "that they have run up against a pump-handle," The man-of-war hats are very unpopular, for they are particularly heavy.  Good straw hats having lately been scarce, an armourer was found constructing one of tin; but that must have been not only heavier, but much hotter.  The men usually make their own hats, and as usually manage to lose them.  As soon as the hat is found, the man is placed before it, and compelled to look steadily at it for a certain time.