SOLDIERS AND THEIR SCIENCE. *
Tins little book appears very opportunely. At a moment when great changes are imminent in the practical application of mili- tary science, Captain Brabazon comes forward to enforce the teaching of Napoleon, and draw men from the study of military theories to the study of the facts of military history. The advice of Napoleon was, not that the student should busy himself with the Jominis and Guiberts, but with the Hannibals, Ctesars, Frederica, Eugenes. Had he been candid he would have in- cluded the name of Marlborough in the list, for no modern general except himself surpasses Marlborough. While directing at- tention to the deeds of great men of the soldier profession, Captain Brabazon looks down upon mere compilations of "maxims and aphorisms," which he smartly says are "useful only to those who know how to neglect them." He despises " that elaborate net- work of theories with which certain writers pretend to entangle and cramp all military operations," and he is especially opposed to Jotnini, who would reduce the system of war to a simple and exact theory. The thing is impossible, and the wonder is that any man, who had seen, as Jomini had, how imperiously circum- stances influence military operations, should have conceived such an idea.
Captain Brs.bazon follows a different method. He directs at- tention to the campaigns of great commanders, shows the ups and downs of military science, and thus teaches us where to find for ourselves examples of the principles of war modified and con- trolled by contact with circumstance and necessity. For there are principles, maxims, and aphorisms of war, and no sensible soldier will despise them. But the soldier must be their master if he would be successful. The devotee of theory disarms himself. He is the military doctrinaire. Like the King of Spain he would be annihilated rather than infringe or modify a rule. A great commander is not so complaisant. Rules, he says, are made for him, not he for the rules. Therefore he disregards, modifies, or acts in accordance with rules as his judgment directs. The time, the means at his command, the numbers and quality of his troops
• Soleil:era and their Science. By Captain Brnbazon, B.A. Published by J. W. Parker and Son.
as compared with the enemy, the character of his opponent, the questions of subsistence, all these things enter into his calculations, and guide him in the application of his rules. What would be perfectly safe in the presence of some generals would be ruin in the presence of others. The finest illustration of a mastery over military science is to be found in the history of its most brilliant application—the Italian campaigns of Bonaparte ; and the finest illustration of the mastery of theoretical science over its devoted professors is to be found in the acts of his opponents. The splen- did paper manceuvre of the Austrians on the Mincio in June last is another instance of the folly of purely scientific plans, con- ceived and executed on a basis of conjecture. It is as if some chessplayer were to lay a snare for an adver- sary on the supposition that he would make certain moves. He makes moves overlooked by the antagonist, and that worthy is beaten. There are rules for playing the game of chess, but he would be a bold man who should say that it is an exact science. Indeed, if warfare be a science at all, it is a very mixed one.
The object of studying the campaigns of great captains is, that the student may imbibe something of their fertility of re- source, boldness of invention foresight, energy of application, care in the management of troops, unwearied industry, close at- tention to detail, and comprehensive grasp of the whole. He is to learn what men have done, how they did it, under what circum- stances with what kind of troops, opposed to whom ; and he is to learn these things, not that he may imitate a particular method, but that he may catch the spirit of the master, and learn how wide are the limits of the possible. Captain Brabazon, in sketching the history of war in little and dwelling upon the characteristics of the most conspicuous soldiers, has produced a book which may serve as a guide to the young soldier, and teach him where to look for the best kind of profes- sional knowledge. Nor the soldier alone. Stripped of techni- calities, written with spirit and modesty, and a generous appre- ciation of excellence, this book ought in these days to be popular with civilians especially our civil soldiers. Military men, nay, "military authorities," will find some of the daring assertions of the writer worthy even of their attention especially as Captain Brabazon includes under the terms "military science" "alt that contributes to the success and well being of armies." The last chapter of the book, treating of the great military questions of our day,—the influence of the rifled musket and rifled cannon on operations and fortification, and on the strength of nations,—con- tains a store of suggestive comment which should be weighed by . the statesman as well as the soldier.
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