NEWS OF THE WEEK.
TnE voluminous Brevet, which swells the Gazette this week, tells of long-expected advancement to many, and of some addition to the huge military expenditure. In regard to the Army, and the late hints or whispers of intended reforms, economists will be apt to look upon it as a bad beginning. It is not certain, however, that this wholesale promotion is to be ascribed to the Ministry as their proper and peculiar act: we hear it generally said that such a pro- ceeding was expected—was inevitable : we know that professional men have felt aggrieved at the delay of such a boon even to the present time ; and it is doubtful whether any Ministry could have refused a donative which was so long and so widely demanded. As respects the Navy, it is shown in a subsequent page, that the pro- ceeding has been conducted with a graceful propriety, from which the new administration of the Naval department derives credit. The Army follows old rules. Here there is a long lee-way to make up. It is not politicians opposed to the present Government alone that demand improvement—the Times, which has ably seconded a mili- tary correspondent in urging a thorough change from the system of promotion by purchase to one in which merit and faithful service, as well as rotation and interest, should have their weight, im- proves the present occasion. Ministers may fairly claim immunity -on the score of this brevet, due to a system which they have not had time to alter; but before a second can occur, they will have ample opportunity to reform the system altogether.
