THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION - . 
449 
in-Chief deserves to be brought to light, as it exercised a great influence 
over the successful termination of the campaign. It is the treatment of the 
natives, and the clever use made of the political relations existing between 
the several chiefs; so that, among other things, they were kept from every 
offensive demonstration, and were unwittingly made useful in furthering the 
entire undertaking. To effect this, the greatest care was taken to prevent a 
collision between the troops and the natives. The most liberal payment 
was ordered for all services rendered and goods delivered, and thereby 
the great result was obtained that one always received trustworthy infor¬ 
mation and messengers, and had the full resources of the country at one's 
disposal. 
In regard to the chiefs, the general had obtained all possible information 
concerning their feelings, interests, and inimical or friendly relations between 
one another, which, cleverly used, enabled him to paralyze those who were dis¬ 
posed to be unfriendly, and cause the indifferent to help him by their actual 
support—which in fact happened when the two rival Gallas queens helped 
to surround Magdala with their armies, and thereby rendered impracticable 
any attempt at flight Theodore might have made. Lord Napier, in his 
personal dealings with these native chiefs, displayed the greatest discri¬ 
mination and tact; for they were thoroughly impressed with the power and 
greatness of the nation which he represented, and yet convinced of his 
personal friendliness and kindly feeling towards them individually. 
Erom the moment in which he was given the command of the Abyssinian 
expedition, he devoted his chief attention to the organisation of the Land 
Transport Corps. Be knew that this was the greatest difficulty of the whole 
undertaking, and that success chiefly depended on its thorough organisation 
and successful working. The .Commander-in-Chief, and other generals in 
the English and East Indian armies, have the right to choose their own 
staff, which has a very great advantage, and when not the case often leads 
to unfortunate results. In the English army there is no regular organised 
staff corps. The members which would form such a corps in other armies, 
are in this always chosen from their various regiments. The purely 
scientific and technical duties which belong exclusively to the staff in 
continental armies, in this fall to the lot of the Artillery, Engineers, &c. 
This certainly has the advantage, especially if the officers generally be well 
instructed; for amongst such men, many may always be found who have been 
entrusted with the practical management of troops, and who have a facility for 
winning the affections of their men, while,' on the other hand, one is less liable 
to fall into the mistake of considering a mere technical and scientific educa¬ 
tion as a sufficient qualification. This last-named mistake is especially liable 
to occur after a long peace in those armies to which the choice of the staff 
is confined to a distinct corps, for too great importance is placed on the above- 
named qualities, and too little stress laid on force* of character, self-reliance, 
an enterprising spirit, &c. 
This system is well organised. Officers who have served five years with 
their regiments, after giving proof of the necessary attainments in a severe 
examination, become eligible for the staff, but when thus employed they 
return to their regiments at the end of every five years. This good principle 
must not, however, be adhered to too strictly; for it would be disadvantageous 
if it were not possible in certain cases to retain special abilities on the staff 
