3 FEBRUARY 1900, Page 16

OUR FUTURE ARMY.

[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] Sin,—Considering the number of boys who, after leaving school, loaf idly about the country; considering that they cannot enter the Army until after six or seven years of idleness; and considering the excellent training that the Navy affords for shore fighting ; would it be possible to train boys at sea for both services, and give them the option of choice upon obtaining their majority, or at any fitting age ? The sea would improve their health, and train them generally in all matters useful to soldiers; and now that so little time is given to seamanship pure and simple, there would be no waste of energy, and nothing to unlearn.—I am, Sir, &c.,

S. B.