GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1880 . 
227 
We feel certain that the smallness of the result, in nine cases out of 
ten, would be astonishing ; for perfection of fire is not to be learnt by 
intuition in any number of years of ordinary routine, as the French 
found to their cost in the war of 1870-1. Autumn manoeuvres—very 
necessary for many reasons—cannot assist in acquiring shooting 
power; for this we can alone look to careful preparation in the battery 
drill-field and then to the annual practice, but to make the latter 
answer its proper end in this respect the present system requires 
remodelling.* 
But to pass to other points, admitting that the present range-finder 
is all that can be desired (which, however, we are much inclined to 
doubt), it requires, for its ready and correct use, men who have been 
carefully instructed to use it and, not only so, but kept constantly 
habituated to its use. Now, what provision is made for this ? Simply 
none at all; the range-finder is handed over to some one or two 
junior N.G. officers of the battery who have used it once or twice 
during a course of gunnery instruction at Shoeburyness and no 
horses are allowed for the purpose of mounting them.f There can be 
no question but that obtaining the range quickly and accurately is of 
the greatest importance, for every shot fired until this is done is so 
much ammunition thrown more or less away; hence provision should 
be made for the effectual use of the range-finder, in which view we 
would suggest that in each battery two selected N.C. officers should be 
trained for the purpose, distinguished by a badge, and horses provided 
to mount them. 
Accurate observation, especially on the part of the officer com¬ 
manding the battery, preparatory to and during firing we have seen 
to be-very necessary; but this cannot be attained without the aid of 
a good field-glass. For service, every officer is recommended, or 
supposed, to provide himself with one; but in peace—which should be 
preparation for war—nothing is laid down on the subject. We think 
such a necessary article ought not to be left optional, and we suggest 
that the present pouch of artillery officers might well be replaced by a 
case carrying a small and powerful glass. J 
Range cards (waterproofed) giving lengths of fuze, &c., should be 
provided for all officers, that they, and especially the commanding 
officer, may have ready to hand the information they may require, 
without having to go to the range plate on the carriage for it. 
It is very desirable that the probable rectangles of field pieces at 
ordinary ranges should be published, that officers might know what 
'* The system, that is, as carried on at standing camps. With regard to annual practice of 
field artillery over sea ranges (to which half, or even more than half, the horse and field batteries 
at home are condemned), we can only say that it is an absurdity, being a waste of ammunition, 
except so far as to decide the prizes for skill at arms, or teach the preliminaries of gunnery to 
unskilled men. 
t T w0 spare riding horses only are allowed to each battery; but these are to cover casualties, 
and if not so employed are taken up by the Rough Rider and 2nd Trumpeter. 
I For war, the ordinary pouch-belt—or, as it then would be, the field-glass belt—might be 
replaced by one doubled and stitched to receive revolver ammunition. 
