The "armies" in the South-West of England are all astir
with preparation. The disadvantages of our disjointed and shifting organisation are brought out by the necessity for the gathering of divers battalions at Blandford, there to be formed into an organic force. The troops and the staff come from the four winds, and all have to learn what it is to work in harmony. Nothing could bring home more completely to the mind of Minister and General the need for effective localisation. Mr. Cardwell will tell us that it would cost more. No doubt ; but in the end it may save a new national debt. By the way, the Guardsmen in both armies seem to have secured a large share of the plums,—four brigades and fourteen or fifteen other appointments. Why are these few score gentlemen favoured at the expense of the hundreds in the Line? Is it because they live so near Pall Mall ? The Army se Aldershot which is to make its entry on the field of war at Pewsey, is said to be organised and ready for action. That only shows how both might have begun operations without all this fuss
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