A hundred years ago
From the 'Spectator,' 26 November 1870—The rumours which ooze out as to the intentions of the Government with respect to the Defences are–not altogether satisfactory. It is a good thing, no doubt, that the Commander-in-Chief is to be transferred to the War Office, for it is a faint approach towards unity of management; but it is a bad thing that the Army is still to be commanded by a Royal Prince, who though he does his daily work better than civilians usually allow, is invincibly opposed to Sir W. Mansfield's plan of "democratizing" the Army. It is a good thing that Mr Gladstone has almost brought himself to believe that the country can afford the sum necessary to buy back com- missions, but it is a bad thing that the War Office has not the nerve to abolish Purchase at once—an order quite within the prerogative —and trust to Parliament to supply the needful compensations. It is a good thing that "some- thing is to be done" to make the Militia more effective and a bad thing that the Yeomanry, instead of being compelled to become efficient, are in process of a reduction intended apparently mainly to save certain halfpennies. It is a good thing that Mr. Cardwell should announce, as he appears to be doing, that he has one corps If armee of 35,000 men of all arms perfectly equipped for foreign service, ready to sail at , 24 hours' notice, with a similar force to follow two months afterwards; and a very bad thing that he should plume himself upon having that mighty strength at his disposal. His friends ask whether Great -Britain ever had in peace time such an army ready, and seem to think that Parliamentary "point" quite an answer to every I objection, whereas it has scarcely anything to do with the real matter in hand.
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