198 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



the means of drawing: the gun might therefore, in 

 mechanical calculation, be said to be propelled by an 

 engine of eight horse-power ; and if a morass, or any 

 other obstacle, over-balanced this power, the gun was 

 either deserted, or (as was customary) the infantry were 

 harnessed to it, by drag-ropes, in the immediate presence 

 of four draught-horses, whose powers (besides officers' 

 horses) it was conceived that we were unable to com- 

 mand.* 



Now, to awaken, at no expense^ the important, natural, 

 yet dormant powers, not only of cavalry but of all other 

 horses, and, consequently, to afford the means of acce- 

 lerating (when required) the movements, grand or small, 

 of an army, would surely be more beneficial than even 

 to suggest an improvement in its arms ; for it may justly 

 be said that our present weapons are destructive enough 

 — that even if we could succeed in making^ them more 

 so, still our enemies would retort them upon us — that 

 the advantage, or rather the disadvantage, would then 

 be mutual — and that, eventually, war would only be 

 made still more destructive ; but by giving activity and 

 mobility to European armies, the science of war is pro- 

 moted ; and even if the benefit to the civilized nations 



* To the 12-pounder Armstrong gun (which sighted to 8° gives a range 

 of 3000 yards) are now attached eight horses in harness, and eight more on 

 which the non-commissioned officers and men, including horse holders, are 

 mounted. Of these, four are supplied with web breast harness and traces : 

 to a proportion of the remainder lassos are supplied. 



