396 
FIELD ARTILLERY FIRE. 
the new target at once; thus, a battery is firing time shrapnel at a 
target 2800 yards distant, suddenly a cavalry target appears on its right 
flank about 1200 yards off and coming towards it, the word of command 
would be “ Cavalry right; 800 yards; Rapid fire from the Right (or 
Left) of Sections ; Prepare for case.” In the above order the distance 
800 yards was given in order to allow time for the guns to be laid on 
the new target, and for the shrapnel to have a useful effect. 
In both the above cases the order Prepare for.” is complete 
and no further order is necessary before loading may take place, but 
in the case of time shrapnel a further order is necessary, namely, the 
length of fuze, so in this case, Prepare for Shrapnel ” (unless it is 
percussion shrapnel, when the order is complete) means that the 
shrapnel are only to be brought up to the guns, but the latter are not 
loaded until the order is completed by the length of fuze being given. 
Instruction .—In instructing the recruit on the subject of the materiel 
with which he has to deal none but the most practical details should 
be impressed upon him, such as the weight and total length of his 
gun and carriage, track of wheels, smallest passage through which it 
can pass, number of pairs of wheels that can be placed upon a railway 
truck, and such like details that may be of practical use every day ; 
internal dimensions, nominal lengths, etc., are an unpractical burdening 
of the memory. Instruction in materiel should take the practical form 
of taking to pieces and putting together everything about the gun, 
except Scott’s sights, and in the packing of limbers and wagons, 
every man in the battery should be as perfect in this respect as a good 
limber-gunner. 
With regard to instruction in ammunition, manufacturing details 
should never be taught. Information on such points is learnt willingly 
or gradually absorbed, by those minds fitted to receive it, and every 
facility and assistance should be given them to acquire it, to attempt 
to force it on others is waste of time and an unprofitable labour. 
With regard to theoretical instruction in gunnery, it appears to me 
that it should not be forced upon minds unfitted to receive it. In the 
infantry, each man being personally responsible for the shooting of 
his weapon, a certain amount of such knowledge is desirable, but with 
us there is no such great necessity that all should have an intimate 
acquaintance with the theory of flight, etc. The non-commissioned 
officers should, of course, have a good theoretical knowledge propor¬ 
tionate to their rank. 
Very much may be done in the way of instruction in the lecture- 
room and officers should remember that most men, especially recruits, 
take in ideas more readily by the eye than by the ear. It is important 
then to make as much use as possible of the blackboard and chalk; 
and therein, and in giving the description extempore , lies the secret of 
success in lecturing. 
A few simple ideas enunciated slowly, while looking straight at the 
audience and copiously illustrated on the board, are more telling than 
the cleverest of papers, however well read. The reader, with his eyes 
on his paper, fails to hold the audience with his eye and, the head 
being naturally bent so as to be able to read, the voice is directed 
