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CHAP. XXXII.] ORQAlflSATIONOF CAVALRY. 



515 



fourth of the cavalry should be of that type, and then 

 the question arises as to how it should be armed, 

 equipped, and organized. 



The idea naturally suggests itself, whether some use 

 might not be made of tlie great improvements in weapons, 

 so that the cavalry could apply to their own use some of 

 the new inventions. The horsemen did this with advant- 

 age for a time on the introduction of firearms, and 

 although subsequent changes rendered a recurrence to 

 the arms and system of Alexander the Great judicious, 

 it is no proof that at the time the knights adopted the 

 petronels it was not the best course for them to pursue. 



The first idea would be to arm the cavalry with the 

 same deadly weapon, the breech-loading riHe, but as it is 

 a weapon requiring careful and steady aim, and an accu- 

 rate adjustment of the sights, it is manifestly quite 

 unfitted for use by mounted men, especially as the 

 dragoon stands boldly out, both man and horse, an open 

 and clearly esiposed target for the crouching foot-soldier, 

 who could haidly be discovered by the horseman at any 

 considerable distance. The use of the rifle from the 

 horse's back must therefore be considered as an expedient 

 never to be resorted to under any circumstances either 

 against cavalry or infantry. We may, therefore, confi- 

 dently assume that for caA'^alry to be used as cavalry, 

 for charging, they era gather no assistance from the 

 improved rifle. 



Then comes the other expedient, the use of the re- 

 volver; and here we see some chance of aid to the 

 horsemen. We will, therefore, consider what arguments 

 there are in favour of the use of the revolver by cavalry 

 in the future. 



The invention of this arm has given to the cavalry an 

 improved weapon, quite as advanced in proportion to 

 the old horse-pistol as the breech-loader is to tha old 

 musket. The revolver is apparently the most deadly 

 weapon that has ever been invented. The sword, lance, 

 carbine, long rifle, or cannon, do not have the same 

 murderous efi*ect. The reasons for this are numerous. 

 In the first place, it is only used at short range, when 



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