OUR INFANTRY. 89 



CHAPTER VII. 



INFANTRY. 



A system should be established for bringing forward talented 

 officers in this force. 



The case of infantry differs much from that 

 of cavalry, its movements being comparatively 

 slow, and performed by rational beings instead 

 of mere animals. An officer in a line regiment 

 of infantry has scarcely ever an opportunity, 

 till he becomes a lieutenant- colonel, and then 

 few, of distinguishing himself. The duties of 

 all other officers in that force are so simple, as 

 to be at once understood by persons of the 

 most limited capacity. From this branch of the 

 service, however, nearly all the generals are 

 obtained, and with scarcely an exception, as 

 respects such as obtain the command of armies, 

 while their success in that important situation 



