LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
[Letters of the length of one of our leading paragraphs are often more read, and therefore more effective, than those which
fill treble the space.] ---
GU ARDS LIFE AT THE DEPOT.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.")
Sea,—While Colonel Bethell invokes justice for Private Graham, may not a similar plea be put forward in behalf of the numerous battalions of the Guards who, with their hundred of officers, have during over four years' war valiantly fought and grievously suffered? In denouncing Caterham, he is denouncing the system and the spirit which have permeated the entire " Brigade."
Surely Colonel Bethell will neither dispute nor demur to my assertion that for many past decades it has been the invariable practice of inspecting officers to address the parade on every occasion : "If any man has any complaint to make, let him fall out, or give his name at the orderly room." As often as not, there are one or more dissatisfied men who in the quietude of the office receive a most patient and indulgent hearing from the Inspecting General, and obtain ample redress or satisfaotion. Now, let us assume that some Private Graham were to establish beyond doubt that he and others had been "sent for by N.C.O.'s to their rooms and given a sound thrashing," or even that he had received a single blow by a corporal, and that his appeal to his officers had been ignored. I tremble to think of the results of the searching and impartial investigations which would inevitably ensue, and of the disastrous consequences, were the accusations sub- stantiated, which would befall the senior officers. Again, supposing a prisoner were tried for knocking down his drill
instructor, and were to plead in mitigation that he had been exasperated by an authenticated blow, it is certain that his sentence would be materially modified, and it is equally certain that the offending N.C.O. would be tried and be in imminent danger of losing his stripes. Although this case might be isolated, the severity of the retribution would prove that the practice is not prevalent.
As you remark, under the urgent stress of war evils non- existent in times of peace must creep in at Caterham, and indeed in all other military stations. But no stress could suddenly transform the large body of Guards N.C.O.'s, normally of a somewhat superior class, well educated, well trained, and well disciplined, respected and salt-respecting, into a horde of foul-mouthed brutes, savage but so crafty in their cruelty as to befool by concealment their senior officers. The testimony in the private letters of Colonel Bethell's noble son doubtless claims careful consideration, yet it cannot be absolutely conclusive. And may I, with all tenderness, suggest that the subsequent death of the hero does not augment the judicial value of his evidence ?—I am, Sir, &c.,
HENRY KNOLLYS, Colonel, late Royal Artillery.
2 Morpeth. Mansions, S.W. 15.
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