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exertion. Their promotion depends exclusively either upon seniority on upon interest, and their having money to purchase their successive steps. There is not even a pretence of making it depend upon their showing them- selves to be fit for it. In the navy, before an officer can obtain his commission as lieutenant, he is obliged to pass through a strict examination, and to show that he has acquired all the knowledge necessary for the effective per- formance of his duty. But in the army there is nothing of the kind: a young officer may get his company, and subsequently rise to the highest rank in the army upon the mere statement of his commanding officer, that he is acquainted with what may be termed the mechanical parts of his professional duty; and even the assurance that he knows this, is too often given as a mere matter of form, and without being at all deserved. Under such a system, can we be surprised that the regimental officers of our army should as a body be so inferior to those of the artil- lery and engineers, and of the navy? That we should see them when quartered with their regiments, in general making mere amusement their most serious pursuit; with rare exceptions little given to reading or any useful or improving occupation, but endeavouring to kill the time that hangs heavy upon their hands, at best by unprofitable sports, and too often by vicious indulgence; leading a life of which the whole, except that small portion which during peace is occupied by their military duties, is spent alto- gether idly and uselessly? That this is not an over-charged statement of the result of the existing system, ample proof could if necessary be adduced; nor do I think we have any right to blame the officers of our army, because this is the
case. On the contrary, considering how totally they are without any encouragement to do so, I am surprised that there should be so many who are exceptions to the general rule, and who do take pains to improve themselves. That there should be these exceptions is I think a great encou- ragement to attempt the introduction of a better system.
With this view I should propose that a system of exami- nation should be introduced for officers of the army. That no young man should be allowed to obtain even a first commission without going through a preliminary exami- nation, to ascertain that he had received the education of
a gentleman; that he know and could speak at least one European language in addition to his own, and had acquired the elements of military drawing. Before an officer should be eligible for the rank of Captain, there should be a second examination to be passed, of a higher kind, in which the candidate for promotion should be compelled to prove that he had at least a moderate knowledge of the theory and science of his profession, as well as of its practical duties; and every year a certain number of pro-
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motions should be given away as rewards to those officers who should have carried their studies further than should be absolutely required, and who should most have di- tinguished themselves in these examinations.
The introduction of this system would supply that motive for endeavouring to improve themselves, which with the officers of our army is now altogether wanting; and they would further find a useful occupation and an opportunity of displaying intelligence and activity in superintending the labour of the soldiers under their com- mand, employed, as has been suggested, upon public works.
In conclusion, I must most strongly express my opinion that not only the interest, but the safety of the empire requires the adoption of effective measures for the increase and improvement of our military force. That there is
a great deficiency in the number of trained and disciplined soldiers whose services we could command at short notice upon the occurrence of an unexpected emergency, seems
to be universally admitted; and I fear, though it is less known, that the efficiency of the troops we have is also very far below what it once was, and what it ought to be; and that the natural effects of a long peace are now begin- ning to be felt.
Hence the necessity of endeavouring to improve the character of our army, as well as to increase the number of men whose services we can command; a necessity which
is the more obvious, on account of the evident tendency of public opinion towards the abolition of the power of corporal punishment as applied to our troops. There can
I think be no doubt that this power will not be much longer maintained; and the feeling which exists upon this subject, coupled with the other considerations already adverted to, would seem to render this a very fitting opportunity for bringing forward a large measure of military reform, founded upon the principles which I have endea voured to enforce.
October 17, 1846.
GREY.