A SCHOOL FOR OFFICERS.
Sin—On the opposite side of the world I have just been reading the article headed "The British Officer at School," in your number of 11th De- cember, and also "An Old Soldier's" letter in the next number. In ihe view taken by the latter, I decidedly agree. But, in addition thereto, would say a few words, somewhat ind.efence of the British Officer. I would ask, in the first place, on what grounds can you prove that the British offi- cer is the ignoramus that many writers pertinaciously represent him to the public?
In spite of the many disadvantages to which he is exposed in being quar- tered for years in out-of-the-way places, where he cannot command books or the advantages of conversing with and gaining information from those better informed on any particular point than himself,—in spite, I say, of these and many other disadvantages,—has he, in the generality of eases, been found incompetent to perform the many and various duties which are constantly thrust upon him ? Even on the favourite topic of "Crimean mismanagement " the Commission of Inquiry could find no more fault with the regimental and staff officers than must of necessity occur from want of .practice after a peace of forty years. I am no enemy to examinations : they have become necessary with the advancement of learning and science in every walk of life. Every thing is now a science, from putting one foot before the other upwards—and examinations are therefore good, not to bring the soldier officer up to the standard of knowledge as compared with those in the same grade of life with himself, but to keep him on a footing of equality.
But there is also another point. Before examining a man in certain stu- dies it appears to me that it would be but fair to give him the means of ac- quiring those subjects of study—and there lies the great want of the British army at the present moment. Take the stations in the Mediterranean for instance (not to mention out-quarters in Ireland) I was ‘uartered for two years in Malta, and can answer for it that beyond self-instruction from books, I had no opportunities of instruction in the military sciences even there, and the difficulty must naturally increase the further one recedes from home. Why should there not be some such officer as the naval in- structor on board a man-of-war? by which means the opportunity of general -instruction would be afforded to officers without taking them away from their regimental duties by sending them to Sandhurst or elsewhere.
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