BREECH-LOADING RIFLE. 93 



watchfulness over the safety and honour of the 

 country, together with the sad results of the late 

 Danish and Austrian campaigns, have done much 

 to open the eyes of the authorities, and make 

 them aware, that even the bravest of troops, 

 equipped with antiquated weapons, cannot hold 

 the most defensible positions against the attack 

 of an enemy whose arms combine every improve- 

 ment of the age. 



It is to be hoped that these unfortunate 

 campaigns will serve as a warning to future 

 ministers, and prevent any false economy, old 

 prejudices, red-tape, or procrastinating official 

 routine interfering with the effective maintenance 

 of our national defences, and the efficient equip- 

 ment of our land and sea forces, according to 

 the march of the age, and the improvements that 

 science is continually making. If Great Britain 

 is to be maintained as a first-class power, she 

 must, as in days of yore, ever be prepared 

 against an emergency. Her supremacy was won 

 by force of arms, and by force of arms it must be 



