We have commented elsewhere on the first half of Mr.
Trevel- yan's Tuesday's speech, that on the Commander-in-Chief, and need only say here that he displayed all the ability for which he has credit, and much more tact ; but in the second half he made too, much of economical considerations. The sinecure colonelcies are abuses, no doubt, but they should not be simply abolished, but replaced by pensions for great services. The agencies cost money,. but their abolition would be really a reduction in officers' pay, which may or may not be expedient. Half-pay seems wasteful,. but if abolished we must create a reserve of officers. The House- hold Brigade is ridiculously costly as an escort for the Sovereign ; but as the very best force with which to prevent or to put down a. riot in London without bloodshed, it is probably well worth its price. Mobs are afraid of horsemen, and a squadron of the brigade would do quietly what a battalion of infantry could only do at a risk of massacre. There was a tendency in this part of the speech to see only one side, which weakened its general effect,, particularly with officials.
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