THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
349 
Object of Lecture. 
The object of my lecture is therefore to try and explain the 
Prussian mode of conducting their manoeuvres, and so to interest my 
audience as to get the matter thoroughly discussed in Woolwich (the 
head-quarters of the Royal Artillery) and in Aldershot (our English 
military school), where all changes and improvements are expected to 
be initiated and tried, and, if possible, such changes and improve¬ 
ments made in the existing system as may appear desirable, and at 
the same time practicable, and introduce a more intelligent system of 
manoeuvring. 
I am not myself an advocate for adopting every novelty introduced 
by Prussia, Prance, Austria, or Russia, as we have very many good 
points in our military system which should not be changed: and in 
considering the organisation of armies, the temperament and pecu¬ 
liarities of the nation must be considered, of which the army is but a 
part, after all. 
In the Prussian army I did not see many things worth copying; 
and in many things I thought we were better, and ahead of them; 
but the one very important point in which they were decidedly 
superior to us was, in the training of their officers. And this is 
the subject of my lecture. 
The introduction of an efficient system of higher training for the 
officers of the English army, and especially the captains and field 
officers, I consider a matter of such vast, in fact, I may say, of such 
vital, importance to our army, that I trust I may be able to use a 
sufficient amount of eloquence to fix your attention, and to convince 
even those who are sceptical and think “ we are very well as we are.” 
I think myself that we have much to learn—that we must march 
with the age—that we must recognise the great changes in the art 
of war. We must study these changes. We must modify our dress, 
our equipments, our drill, our training, our organisation, to meet the 
changes which are demonstrated to us from day to day by the graphic 
descriptions of the war now raging in Prance. If we do not do so— 
if we move with the sluggishness peculiar to this nation, with the 
sluggishness peculiar to us in matters military—then depend upon it 
the day of retribution is drawing nigh ; a huge disaster will fall upon 
this country, similar to that which has fallen upon Prance, and from 
which we should suffer more, as we have not a population trained to 
arms, no organisation to meet an invasion, no fortresses to stop an 
enemy. Our collapse -would be sudden and terrible, rapid and 
astounding. 
Our part, as soldiers, is to recognise the military facts of these 
great questions, and to prepare ourselves by study and training to 
make the military machine—the army—as perfect as we can ; so that, 
when the day comes, we may play our part with credit. 
I must mention that some parts of the Prussian system cannot be 
introduced without special Acts of Parliament and an expenditure of 
money for damage to property. In Prussia, everything gives way to 
the army ; in .England, the army gives way before everything — u a 
pretty considerable difference,” as Jonathan would say. 
