The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-26 00:00:00

Spirit of the Public Journals.

enjoying the confidence of scientific men whom he
cannot appreciate, or wasting in smoke, billiards,
anddog-eared novels that time which a more sen-
sible man would have devoted to study. We do
not, of course, assert that this is the necessary or
even the uniform result of our present system. But
surely a system which permits such things as these
requires a remedy ; and the remedy which we pro-
pose is not only extremely simple but perfectly
effectual.
It is neither more nor less than this. Let no man
be appointed to any situation on any Staff unless he
has shown his capacity by having already passed an
examination or taken his degree (as it were) at some
military college, or, at all events, by his willing-
ness to undergo such an examination. With those
who are now serving on the Staff we have no desire
to interfere ; but let the proposed rule be rigidly
applied for the future. The system which we are
now advocating is no new thing. It is the system
which is adopted in the French army, which is re-
commended by Sir Howard Douglas, and many of
the witnesses who were examined by the Committee
of the House of Commons on Military Education,
and it is the system which is, in fact, adopted by
the Horse Guards whenever active operations ren-
der the employment of competent men a necessity.
It is, indeed, impossible to imagine any system
more unfair than that which is now pursued as to
the Staff of the British army. During peace, when
the abilities of the Staff officer are not so impera-
tively demanded as in time of war, we suffer job-
bing and favouritism without limit. During peace,
therefore, we give no encouragement to those who
would willingly devote their means and their time
to the study of war, and to the acquisition of mili-
tary experience ; for during such times the idle and
the industrious have an equal prospect of reward
and promotion. We studiously neglect our oppor-
tunities of promotion. But when war comes upon
us, and danger threatens, we send hither and thither
in search of men who have studied their profession
and are fit for service. Thus in the Peninsula, uncle' 1
the Duke of Wellington, the Staff did not become effi
cient till it was filled by officers regularly educated;
and thus, also, when the present war broke out both
Lord Hardinge and Lord Raglan desired to have
lists sent to them of those officers who had a mili- '
tary education. What can be clearer than that
even in the opinion of our military authorities the
duties of the Staff cannot be performed by un-
educated men ? What can be clearer than that
those claims of superior knowledge which force
themselves into notice in time of war are syste-
matically neglected in time of peace ? What cau
be mere obvious than that some plan ought to be
devised by which such claims may be certain to be
recognised ? Nor, indeed, should we omit to men-
tion that the rights of superior men to Staff ap-
pointments are expressly asserted and vindicated
by the Sandhurst Committee.
But even if the necessity of a military education
were less apparent, it is an act of simple justice and
common prudence to follow the principle that the
best situations—the prizes, as it wore, in the army
—ought to be secured to the most able and indus-
trious officers. It is, indeed, impossible to exag
gerate the benefits which would result to the British
army if no man could bet upon the Staff unless he
had thoroughly studied his profession. Men of
wealth and of ambition would then see the neces-
sity of giving their sons, destined for the army, a
regular military education. Instead of being
doomed to see a promising youth wasting his time
in stupid extravagance because the path of ambi-
tion was closed to him, the prospect of early pro-
motion and distinction would be held out as the
certain result of studious exertion. Men of little
interest, but with a natural genius for military
pursuits, would no longer be restrained from
obeying it, or be forced to seek distinction in
foreign lands. The supercilious ia'olence of rapid
promotion and the heartburnings of patient merit
would in some sort be reconciled. In short, the
character of the army, instead of degenerating in
time of peace by the very necessities of its consti-
tution, would, in spite of inactivity, sustain that
character for intelligent bravery which it had
already gained in time of war.
Many schemes of army reform have been pro-
pounded. Some would abolish the system of pur-
chase, some would retain it. We need not settle
the question ; for, whatever may be the result, the
Staff must be an educated body. You may, if you
will, raise a man from the ranks to be commander-
in-chief. If he be a man of genius, he may originate
the most brilliant military conceptions. But these
conceptions must be carried into execution. And
to carry them into execution is the duty of the
Staff. As Colonel Adams says, nearly all the old
I imperial French marshals were uneducated men ;
Prince Blucher was by no means a clever man ;
but they, and he in particular, had highly educated
and very clever Staff officers, and indeed, in the
ease of Blucher, his Staff not only carried into
effect but originated all his defensive or retiring
movements, and many even of the offensive opera.
tions. Iu short, the Staff are the elite of the army,
and they ought to have every privilege. Only in-
sist upon this—that the officers of the Staff shall be
men of knowledge, and the inevitable consequence
must be that the general character of the British
officer will be elevated.

(From the Times of this day.)

The long preparation required for any military
enterprise is the chief difficulty in the art of war.
In the campaign which has not long since concluded
it was commonly admitted that the first steps were
taken rashly, without the materials of success—
without the knowledge whick should guide a gene-
ral. The result was, that slowness of execution
followed incautiousness of conception, and the vic-
tory was at last won only by the stubborn endur-
ance of two armies and the unflinching patriotism
of their respective nations. If Napoleon swept
over Central Europe at a march, and carried his
eagles to Moscow, it was because the plan of his.
campaign was the study of months, and each halt-
ing-place of each Division was pricked out on his
maps before war itself was declared. It will not,
therefore, surprise our readers that the plan of the
next campaign should be already under considera-
tion. Nor is it too soon. When the city of
Sebastopol fell all the world looked on the event
merely as a beginning of victories. The gran-
deur of that catastrophe, the admitted destruc-
tion of 30,000 Russians within a single month, the
capture of cannon and materials of war beyond all
former precedent, the enthusiasm of the allied
armies and the depression of the enemy, all seemed
to indicate that the victorious generals had only to
act vigorously against Prince Gortschakoff and the
total abandonment of the Crimea might at once
follow. We still believe that had the Russian Ge-
neral been hardly pressed he would have shrunk
from exposing his shattered force to the attack of
the two armies ; but no such operations took place,
and there is sai to have been sufficient cause for
the caution we have witnessed. At any rate, it
was soon evident that everything was at an end
for the year, and that six months' rest would re-
cruit our own troops, though, on the other hand,
it would renew the armies of the enemy, give him
time to strengthen every position, and reassure his
soldiers for a still more formidable contest.

Of those six mouths three are already past. In
three more the Crimean winter will be at an end,
and the season when military operations may be
best attempted will have arrived. It is certain
that the Allies will do well to form their plans
early enough to execute them before excessive
heat dries the wells and destroys the pasturage of
the plains. If the Crimea is to be conquered,
their armies, then probably a quarter of a million
strong, must take the field before April is far ad-
vanced. Every man of this mighty force has to be
victualled by sea ; every beast of burden has to he
purchased in distant provinces and brought to the
seat of war in steam-transports. As far as pos-
sible, the enemy will destroy every blade of corn or
grass and fill up every well as they retreat. It
becomes, then, the duty of prudent statesmen and
commanders to consider, with almost minuteness
of detail, the plan of the coming campaign. It will
resemble very little any that have gone before it.
The opposing armies are still, as it were, in closed
lists, with no help from the territory they hold.
So far is the war from supporting the war that
those supplies which generals have in all ages ga-
thered from the actual seat of war must now be
cared for and collected beforehand. Commissariat
and laud transport will be taxed beyond the ex
ample of any former war. The enemy, indeed,
in all these matters is far worse off than our-
selves, but still it is of importance further to in-
crease our superiority by an immediate decision
and corresponding preparations. We believe that
with this view a council of war will shortly
be held at Paris, at which the Duke of
Cambridge, attended by Sir R. Airey, will be pre-
sent. Sir E. Lyons, too, will join in the conference,
and may be daily expected at Marseilles. The ob-
ject of this meeting will be to weigh thoroughly
the several plans for the next campaign, and when
a decision is formed, to carry out combined opera-
tions with energy and completeness. It is reported
that Marshal Pelissior has been foremost in re-
questing that this council should be held. It will
be remembered that during the months of Septem-
ber and October the French General was sanguine
as to an autumn campaign, and pushed forward
his columns with what looked like activity. The
telegraph, which, through Lord Panmure, was used
to make known almost daily intelligence, became on
a sudden silent. The expectation of the two

nations, and we may add of their Gover clients,
was highly raised. The French crossed the Valley
of Baidar, seized the heights to the north, pushed
forward a division to the head-waters of the
Belbek, and threatened the passes of Aitodor and
Albat. At that time an opinion was expressed that
the Russian plateau, steep as a wall towards the
south, and to be gained only by narrow passes, was
a position not to be attacked. The contrary, how-
ever, was urged even by military men, who held
that any chain of hills could be forced or turned.
The result proves that the former judgment was
well founded. Marshal Pelissier is said to havegiven
his opinion that no campaign is possible from the
present Lase of operationF. The Russians, more
than two months since, held the passes with a force
which could resist any assault. The roads were
scarped, the hills strengthened by works. By April
they might be made absolutely impregnable, or, if
determined mi
ned valour aiht force them, it would be_
general to shrink. 11/tat plan of campaign is re-
solved on will, of course, be a secret till the hour
for its execution arrives. It is evident, however,
that the allies have a great advantage in possessing
two bases accessible to their fleets and impregnable
by the enemy. Eupatoria and Yenikale are now
converted into two intrenched camps, from both of
which Simpheropol and the Russian rear are
threatened. The country is not difficult, but the
chief difficulty is likely to be the want of water.
Perhaps this cause may lead to the abandonment
of any operations from Eupatoria. The enemy, on
the other hand, has the advantage of a central
position from which he may oppose the converging
forces which operate from the points of the coast.
We cannot doubt that all which military science
can effect, after 18 months of preparation, awaits
us in our march against the Russian positions.
Though of success there can be no doubt, yet it is
the duty of our generals to purchase it as cheaply
as possible, and we therefore trust that the delibe-
rations of the council will be wise and foresighted.
The position of Asia can hardly escape conside-
ration. Should the capture of Kutais be effacted
by Omar Pasha much will have been gained, but,
assuming that it has been fortified and can be held,
the Russians will doubtless make a longe defence.
The capture of Kars places a fine position and a
strong fortress in their hands. The system of for-
tifications commenced by Colonel Lake is said to
be a great work of engineering sciene 3, and these
forts ate now garrisoned by the enemy. Kutais
and Kars will form their extreme right and left,
behind will be Teflis and Gumri, while men and ,
munitions of war will be brought by the military
roads from Derbend and Baku, on the Caspian
coast. The Russians are said to have lately paid
much attention to this route from a fear that the
Vladikaukus Pass might be interrupted by snow
or the enmity of the Caucasian tribes. That they
will make ready for a desperate defence there can
be little doubt, and if the year 185 d passes away
without an Asiatic campaign, they will probably
be in a condition to oppose every step of the Allies
in the land they so much prize. Such is the state
of affairs at the close of the present year. The
Allies have been victorious ; they are ready for
other campaigns and a snore extended stage of war.
Yet they have difficulties before them which it is
useiess to conceal. With boldness, guided by skill
and forethought, they may hope for early success ;
but no error is greater than to consider an enemy
incapable of resistance because lie has been once
beaten, or to expect that he will aoquieace in
defeats because they clearly prove the superiority
of his opponents. We must prepare for another
and a longer struggle before we can hope for final
repose.

OXFORD, DEO. 24.

THE SECOND PUBLIC EXAMINATION.
The following is an analysis of the recent Publi
Exalination in the four schools of Classics, Natura
Science, Mathematics, Law, and History. The num-
ber of candidates in the Classical School was 171 ; of
these 17 took off, 21 were plucked, and 37 went up
for honours ; of which number 8 were placed in the first
class, 12 in the second, 14 in the third, and 10 in the
fourth. The remaining 96 received tostamurs. In the
school of Natural Science there were 9 candidates-5
classmon (2 first and 3 seconds) and 4 passmen ; 1 took
off. In the school of Mathematics the number was 77 :
took off, 17 ; plucked, 4 ; testamurs, 49. Classmen, 7
second, 1 ; third, 5 ; fourth, 2 ; took off, 1. In the
school of Law and History, candidates, 113 : took off,
22 ; plucks, 8 ; classes, 20, viz., first, 5 ; second, 6 ;
third, 4 ; and fifth, 5.
The Lord Bishop of Oxford held an Ordination in the
cathedral church of Christ, in Oxford, on Sunday last,
when the following gentlemen were admitted into holy
orders. The Ordination sermon was preached by the
Rev. R. Hussey, 8.D., Professor of Ecclesiastical
History :

DEACONS.
Thomas Jack Baty, 8.A., Sidney Sussex College,
Cambridge.
Joseph Butt, Cuddesdon College, near Oxford.
Robert Henry Codrington, 8.A., Fellow, Wadhasn
College, Oxford.
Thomas Fowler, 8.A., Fellow, Lincoln College, Ox-
ford.

John Henry Jo wit, 8.A., Bishop eosin's Hall, Dui.-
kam.
Tay Laver, B A., Caius College, Cambridge.
William Kenneth Macroice, 11. A., Brasenose College,
Oxford.
Arthur Henry Pearse, Corpus Christi College,
Oxford.
Alleyne Ward Pearson, 8.A., Pembroke College,
Cambridge.

Francis Arthur Powys, 8.A., Fellow, St. John's Col-
lege, Oxford.
George Frederick Price, 8.A., Fellow, New College,
Oxford.
Orby Shipley, 8.A., Jesus College, Cambridge.
Walter Waddington Shirley, M.A., Wadham College,
Oxford.
Alfred Sweetinr, 13. A., Pembroke College, Cambridge.
Henry Earle Tweed, Follow, Oriel College,
Oxford.
Edmund Henry Lacon Willey, 8.A., Michel Scholar,
Queen's College, Oxford.
Arthur Hunter Wyatt, 8.A., Clare Hall, Cambridge.
PRIEST&
Rev. John Hunter Abrahall, Fellow, Lincoln Col-
lege, Oxford.
Rev. Francis Charles Antridge, 8.A., St. John's
College, Cambridge.
Rev. Anthony Bunting, M.A.,Trinity College, Dublin.
Hon. and Rev. William Byron, 8.A., Fellow, All
Souls College, Oxford.
Rev. Euseby Digby Cleaver, 8.A., Christ Church
Oxford.
Rev. Arthur Adolphus Fanshawe, S.C.L. Fellow,
New College, Oxford.
Rev. Charles Septimus Grabbe, 8.A., Jesus College,
Cambridge.
Rev. Alfred Newdigateß,M.A., CLiriatlarCha Hall,ureh,oxford.
Rev. Joseph Mayer Nixon, A. cca„.
bridge.
Rev. North Pinder, M.A.,
Fellow, Trinity College,
Oxford.
Rev. Harris Smith, M.A., Fellow, Magdalen College,
Oxford.
Rev. Edward Sturges, 8.A., Emmanuel College, Cam.
bridge.
Rev. George Sturton Ward, M.A.,
Magdalen Hall,
Oxford.
Rev. Charles Fleetwood Porter, M.A., Caius College,
Cambridge.
After the Ordination his lordship licensed the following
to curacies, viz. :—The Rev. T. J. Baty, 8.A., to the
curacy of Saunderton ; the Rev. J. Butt, to the curacy
of Littleworth, Berks ; Rev. J. H. Jowitt, 8.A., to the
curacy of Chipping Norton ; Rev. T. Leaver, 8.A., to be
assistant curate in the Amersham and High Nycomb
Deaneries ; Rev. A. H. Pearee, M.A., to the curacy of
El
3t
Ila: 8.A., tead, Berks • Rev. A. W. Pearson, 8.A., to
the assigant curacy of Sunningdale, Berks ; Rev. 0.
Shipley,
to the curacy of St. Thomas, Oxford ;
Rev. A. B. Wyatt, 8.A., to the curacy of Cowell and
Shirburn, Oxon ; and Rev. A. Bunting, 8.A., to the
curacy of Moulsoe, Bucks.

(From the Daily News of this day.)
Why is it that officers in the army are so anxious
to be upon the Staff ? Huw comes it that those
officers who are upon the Staff are generally men
of high birth or of commanding military influence?
The answer to these questions is mystery. To be
upon the Staff is to be exempt from regimental
duty, to enjoy better pay, to live in better quar-
ters, to be more in the way of promotion, and in
very many cases to be less exposed to danger. To
be upon the Staff is to be one of a select few pos-
sessed of every privilege which can be enjoyed by
man in the military profession. Hence the Staff is
filled with men not who have distinguished them-
selves, but who are the sons, or the nephews, or
the cousins of the general officer who appointed
them. Surely no man would put his relations on
his Staff unless the situation was something very
eligible ; and therefore, when we s
w:esliteaaffr
wfraosmSir
John Burgoyne that Lord Raglan
com-
posed principally of his relations, it is clear enough
what value that lamented officer put upon such
appointments.
Only compare the situation of a Regimental with
that of a Staff officer. Whilst the one is standing
night after night knee deep in muddy trenches in
front of the enemy, the Staff officer may be enjoy-
ing the artistic excellencies of a French cook, and
all the comforts of a warm fireeide ; whilst the ono ,
man who has served his Queen in every quarter of I
CEIURCLI Ra
quiet pariah
HERTS, Dec. 24.
the globe is still a greyhaired captain, the beard-
ast
ondurihng the last week
less Staff officer who has gained his conquests in
been the scene of a sevpearrelschotiht
—This usuallyTq
London ball-rooms, has already been transformed t the
eesuluse tufts year
continued
into into a full-blown colonel ; whilst the one man for two days the number of votes recordeadPw°as—A nainst
tion of a church rate.
having no interest but his native intellectual ca a- the rate, 301 ; for the rate, 218 ; majority againstg the
city is doomed to the drudgery of daily drill and rate, 83. It is hoped that this will prove decisive, and
the society of riotous subalterns, the Staff officer is prevent any future attempt to levy the obnoxious impost.