The Press.
London, England, 1854-05-13 00:00:00

MR. SIDNEY HERBERT AND THE
WAR-OFFICE.

.....

IT does not require any gift of prophecy to
foretell that the public, during the ensuing
year, will often discuss the personal qualifica-
tions of the various members of the official
staff charged with the practical conduct of the
campaign in the East. The fact of Mr. SID-
NEY HERBERT having Russian connections is
one amongst many reasons why his aptitude
for the particular office now filled by him
should at present become a topic for dis-
cussion.
The office of Secretary of War is more la-
borious than showy. For a great number of
years it was ably filled by Lord PALMERSTON,
whose characteristic energy found appropriate
employment in its recurrent toils. Peculiar
readiness in arranging matters of dull but
most important detail, and rapid capacity for
mastering voluminous reports from trusted
subordinates, are amongst its most prime re-
quisites. A sonnetteer (though a good one)
would be felt to be ridiculously out of place at
the Board of Trade ; a humanitarian (and a
sincere one) must feel strangely out of his
element as Secretary at War. Poetry and
politics alike have their Della Cruscans—too
sensitive for epic performances.
The more amiable parts of political life the
member for South Wilts is suited for adorning ;
but he has scarcely that sinewy strength of
will, that conquering energy, which grapples
with obstacles. Generals demanding their
artillery, colonels of cavalry without horses
for their troops, sergeants and privates mur-
muring against the commissariat, will not be
calmed in their irritation by being blandly
assured that the Secretary at War can proudly
recollect that he originated and superintended
the great movement on behalf of distressed
neediewomen. The requisites for serving in
the War-office and for shining at Willis's
Rooms at a meeting of humanitarians are cer-
ly very different. Surrounded by a tender
thence of fair philanthropists with small
'smelling-bottles and large purses, and sup
ortkd by a semi-tractarian bishop, the member
ITor South Wilts is seen to perfection. His
tatistics are there felt to be pathetic and
Ph-resistible. He is admired as a highbred
humanitarian, deserving to have a list of sub-
lacriptions as long as his pedigree ; for our
philanthropic plutocracy likes to be appealed
Ito by a gentleman with an historical name. He
;leaves behind him, amongst his fair listeners,
l'a delightful recollection suggestive of some
Loark
thing very fashionable and philanthropic, as
it

THE PRESS.

if he were a superior being compounded of
the graces of " Pelham " and the orthodoxy
of Sir ROBERT INOLIS.

But when the question is one, not of semp-
stresses but aoldiers—when the emergency
requires strenuous exertion, not mere syps-
pathy—doubts will occur as to whether W.
SIDNEY likatagit? has the special qualities re-
quired. The Omar is not to be crushed by a
perfumed cant, nor his gun-boats sunk by a
bunch of violets from Wilton. Great, not
graceful, talents are necessary ; armies must
he provided for by capacity for affairs, and
not by pleasingly pathetic aspirations. A very
elegant person, wanting the vivida via anima
inspires a man of action, has but doubtful
utility when hard work and vigorous plans are
demanded by the times.
As we have intimated, the fact that Mr.
SIDNEY HERBERT has high Russian connec-
tions is probably an additional reason why the
Secretary of War is so often alluded to in
discussions on the Eastern expedition. His
mother was the daughter of a Russian noble,
and the member for South Wilts reckons the
Counts WORONZOW amongst his ancestors. Our
Cabinet is rich in curiosities. In foreign
politics " old friends" make war against each
other, and embroil Europe. In Parliament
old enemies suddenly forget the antipathies
of a life, and fall into each other's arms, and
into office, in a simultaneous burst of sym-
pathy. Lord ABERDEEN burlesques the part
of Falkland and cries " Peace !" while his
Foreign Secretary talks of " a war against bar
barism," and, hard alternative for a man of
sympathies, the Secretary at War has to take
some part in the militant preparations against
that country with which he is connected by
the tenderest ties and most affecting asso-
ciations !

Ili