COMMENDED ESSAY, 1892 . 
605 
Without this spirit no amount of technical knowledge or smartness 
on parade will produce the same results. The interest must be real, 
it must be constant, and embrace everything connected with the bat¬ 
tery and its esprit cle corps. This implies—unceasing patient effort to 
attain and maintain perfection in the many different departments of 
which a battery consists, constant training of the officers and N.-C.O.’s 
to bear the responsibilities of their particular role , making those 
responsibilities both thorough and clearly defined. 
Foresight, common sense, and energy, are appropriate to the Major’s 
routine duties ; but it must be evident to his subordinates that he does 
not waste nervous energy on insignificant ends. He must have a 
thorough knowledge of detail, without the tendency to give so much 
attention to minuter errors, as to risk the well-being of the whole. 
In fact, he must fulfil Carlyle’s advice, Neither let mistakes and 
wrong directions—of which every man falls into many—discourage 
you. Let a man try faithfully, manfully to be right, he will grow 
more and more right.Study to do faithfully whatsoever 
thing in your actual situation you find either expressly or tacitly laid 
to your charge ; that is your post ; stand in it like a true soldier ; 
silently devour the many chagrins of it, as all human situations have 
many.” .... Study “ what thoughts past men had in them—• 
what actions past men did ;”.... but remember that “ a man 
perfects himself by work much more than by reading. They are a 
growing kind of men that can easily combine the two things—wisely, 
valiantly, can do what is laid to their hand in their present sphere, 
and prepare themselves withal for doing other wider things, if such lie 
before them.” 1 Such are the qualities that make for Fire Discipline. 
If men are accustomed to find them in their commander during the 
routine of barrack life, they will take the field confident in him and in 
his power of responding to new exigencies. 
The correct observation of fire and a quick eye for country are 
equally necessary. It is seldom in his power to obtain the practice 
required in the former. Hunting, shooting, and stalking are invalu¬ 
able for teaching the latter. A good officer, who has cultivated the 
habit of observation, may improve himself, professionally, during a 
month’s leave, more than in six months of barrack-square soldiering. 
Gun Drill of the Battery.—Under the Major, 
Gun drill should be assimilated, as much as possible, to service con¬ 
ditions. Every number must have his under-study. The commander 
himself should always have a “ fighting-book ” to record the targets, 
bracket, range, and length of fuze. Some signal, such as dropping 
this book, may be arranged to signify that he is hors de combat , when 
the command must be, at once, continued by the next senior. Section 
Officers should, occasionally, kill their active numbers, by a touch on 
the head or other signal ; men can thus be taught to adapt themselves 
to any duty at a moment’s notice. The accurate transmission of orders, 
correct intervals in ordinary fire,” and rapid switching on to fresh 
targets require constant practice. Carbine shooting is a great assist- 
1 “ Letters of advice to a young man.”—Carlyle. 
