PEACE ESTABLISHMENTS AND WAR SALARIES. 



IT is hardly worth while to claim acquiescence in the pro- 

 position, that knowledge of the principles and practice of an 

 art of mechanical handicraft, implying the capability of prac- 

 tising it with effect, demands previous study and attention. 



If the axiom be undoubted, that poeta nascitur, non fit, 

 the same does not admit with any degree of justice of being 

 said in respect of a carpenter, a tailor, a blacksmith, or for 

 the sake of literally applying the motto, ne sutor ultra crepi- 

 dam of a shoemaker. 



I choose to view the case in its broadest aspect, by citing 

 the mechanical arts; but in truth a much wider scope might 

 have been claimed and accepted, without prejudice to the 

 general deduction. The profession of a soldier might have 

 been cited, for example ; wherefore I now accordingly do cite 

 it, as having close and immediate reference to the subject that 

 has presently to receive attention. 



The military calling, even in its lowest or nonscientific 

 branches, involves the need of long training. A soldier 

 albeit a common soldier, a private cannot be made by the 

 ceremonial of placing a red coat upon his back, and an En- 

 field musket in his hand. As in every other case requiring 

 dexterity of motion and apprehension of technical details, he 

 must serve an apprenticeship, call it by whatever name we 

 may, before he becomes an effective able workman. Ascend- 

 ing higher in the gradation of military rank coming at length 

 to the officers it could easily be proved that a trained soldier 

 is misused when thrust into civilian employ. In the highest 



