10 AUGUST 1878, Page 3

On Tuesday, Mr. Hayter brought before the House the recom-

mendation of the Committee to allow to candidates for the Army marks for physical attainments, urging that it would turn the attention of boys at school from their proper work to their amusements. When Colonel Stanley spoke, it became apparent that though he has not yet considered the subject, he is at least not at all prepossessed on behalf of the Committee's recom- mendation. "The onus probandi," he said, "rested with the Com- mittee, before the suggestions which they made were carried into effect." As yet, competition, instead of having lowered the physique of officers in the Army, had secured "as fine a set of young men, taken all round," as could be found anywhere. Again, it was not desirable to stimulate physical training too much. Great care was necessary in physical training, "lest a man's constitution should be injured for life." On the whole, it is clear that the injudicious recommendation of the Committee will be revised, without prejudice in its favour, by the Secretary for War.