THE EOYAL AETILLEEY INSTITUTION. 
255 
Lightness and capability of rapid movement is more than ever necessary 
now with field batteries, this follows in consequence of the increased 
efficiency of the guns at long range. At the manoeuvres this could be 
readily appreciated: the country being one of wide swelling rolling hills— 
the features on a grand scale—the artillery was often obliged to remain a long 
way behind to cover advances of the infantry and then would be compelled 
to move rapidly for a long distance to come to the front again. 
Cavalry . The cavalry which I saw in the field (5 squadrons hussars) 
were particularly noticeable for their intelligence and for the admirable 
manner in which they were instructed in outpost duty—they shared 
this duty with the infantry co-operating with them in supplying pickets 
and patrols, and taking the duty of carrying communications between 
the advanced posts, reserves, and main body. It seemed to me as a 
spectator that there was little marked separation in feeling between the 
different arms of the Prussian service, a common military spirit unites 
the whole to a degree I have not known in other countries. 
The cavalry (and artillery also) are furnished with stable jacket and 
trowsers of a thick brown holland stuff, these are carried across the seat of 
the saddle; their usefulness is great, after the heat of the march the soldier 
pulls them out without disarranging his hit , puts them on, and is at once 
in comfort. As our soldiers 5 clothes are uncomfortably hot even in an 
English summer, and as we cannot hope to have cooler weather in any 
country in which we might have to serve, it would be very desirable that 
we should adopt at least canvas trowsers of this kind; at present men wear 
dirty old cloth trowsers in stables, &c. till they look disreputable and are 
almost indecent. 
The cavalry carry no valises, the cloak is rolled and fastened to the cantle 
of the saddle, the kit is carried part in the wallets part across the seat and 
part is laced into the saddle seat; thus the rider's hand is brought low 
(which with us is the great desideratum) there being nothing but the 
shabraque above the wallets. 
Tight pantaloons and Hessian boots are about being introduced into the 
service for the Hussars, 
I was much impressed with the efficiency attained by all arms in the 
short period of their service. Unremitting hard work and a scrupulous 
attention to the essential points of efficiency, with a disregard of everything 
else, is the excellent rule of the Prussian service. 
It seems probable and I think the experience of officers who have 
commanded young or newly raised battalions or batteries would corroborate 
this, that more is to be got in the way of soldiering out of bodies 
composed entirely of young men, and that they have more zeal in learning 
their duties and hence attain to a higher degree of efficiency than battalions 
composed, as is usual with us, of old and young soldiers together, where 
the knowledge and habits acquired by the young comes to them filtered 
through the old soldiers, who are not always the best mentors , 
[vol. VI.] 
