The Duke of Argyll quite appreciated the sub-tone of the
debate, the dread entertained by the House of abolishing Pur- chase, and made in reply a most able speech, by very far the most convincing one he ever made in his life, one which suggests that he should always be called on whenever impending defeat has taken the starch out of his eloquence. If he talks like that when the Lords are no more, he may stand for Marylebone with a certainty of election. Without exaggerating anything, he showed that the existing system of promotion was one of seniority qualified, by money ; that although not irrespective of merit, it was irre- spective of comparative merit ; that it prohibited rejection, ex- cept in extreme cases of bad temper or bad military character— there has been no case of veto for five years ;—that the system makes the Army one vast web of pecuniary interests which it is nearly im- possible to touch ; that Colonels of distinguished capacity cannot be selected ; that the system prohibited the best method of increas- ing the Army, that of doubling the battalions ; that, in short, it was fatal to the very demand made by the House for a thorough scheme of reorganization. The Duke next made a capital party point, showing how Mr. Disraeli would show that the Whigs had meddled and muddled till Purchase must go, and the House would abolish it, and finally asked why, if Purchase was so good a method of promotion and selection so bad a ono, the House did not propose to sell the higher commands? If Purchase is good for a Colonelcy, why not for a Marshal's baton?
