198 THE HORSE AND HIS EIDER. 



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. 



