The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-21 00:00:00

LuNDON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1551.

The martial enthusiasm of the rising genera-
tion has been strongly displayed in the zeal and
devotion with which men of all classes of society
have flocked to the national standard. Rich
and poor, the high born and the humble, have
all exhibited equal ardour. All their desire is to
be led against the common enemy. The youth-
ful inheritor of honourable titles and wide-spread
domain, is willing to brave certain hardship and
imminent danger to be allowed to participate in
the death struggle. The solitary hope of many
an ancient house is willing to be the last of his
name, if that name be only embalmed in the rne-
mories.of his country as that of one who perished
in the glorious campaign in the Crimea. The
middle-classes are just as eager to
"Seek the bubble reputation e'en at the cannon's
mouth."

In vain are the most promising prospects of com-
mercial or legal eminence opened to their views.
In vain does the peaceful seclusiox of the COM-
fortable vicarago or snug prebend invite attention,
Law, physic, divinity, trade, commerce, manufac-
ture are all disregarded--" est potior" is
the general cry. The scarlet coat alone obtains
attention, and the very dangers and hardships in-
cidental to its use apparently constitute its chief
attractions. "

Nor do these spirited youths seek to come in

on better terms than they were willing to submit
to in " the piping times of peace," when the
only duties were to appear at drill or parade,
and to " flutter the hearts" of the softer sex.
There are as many applications for purchase as
ever ; the money would be promptly forthcoming

for every vacant-commission. Strong competition
prevails for the privilege of paying 4501. sterling,
besides the expenses of outfit, &c., in order to be

subjected to very harassing duties, accompanied
in too many instances with severe privations and
unceasing risk, not merely of a glorious death on
the field of battle, but from disease, or the
wearing effects of neglected wounds, or exposure
to inclement weather, and all for ss. 3d. per diem,
or 951. 16s. 3d. per annum. We may think the
speculation not a very profitable one, but there is
no lack of -volunteers ready and willing to pay the
price, and to accept the position with all its
disadvantages.
Now, the Germans who may be favoured with
commissions in the new corps will have nothing
to pay. It would be ridiculous to ask mercenaries,
whose sole object is gain, to enter into what

might prove a very unprofitable project in a
' pecuniary point of view. There will be many Ger-
mans willing to accept commissions—few, if any,

willing to pay for them. Now, we may ask, are
these men so much better than the rising genera-
tion in England, Scotland, and Ireland?—are they
calculated to become more efficient officers, that
receive gratuitously, nay, more, be
they should
solicited to accept, what onr own less favoured
countrymen make the strongest interest to ob-

Ensign worth taro by purchase ? Is a German
an English one plus 450/. ? We think that
the L. S. D. view of the case is by no means
favourable to the Foreigners Enlistment Bill---.
nor will the undue favouritism, so conspicuous
is this_ new phase of Germanism—the contemp-
tuous indifference to the claims of the mere Eng-
lish, when compared with " the more favoured
nation."

There is another matter which should not be
disregarded while considering the pecuniary part
Of the question. Whatever half-pay pensions or
2"'ttlities may be granted to the regular army
will in
all probability be expended in the United
Kingdonl.
places, The men will return to their native
aild the
money with which they may be
rewarded wal be
simply transferred from one
pocket to another
; there will be nothing taken
from the country
; while, en the other, the Ger-
mans will return to their
own homes, and the
entire funds will be arawil, and
a
another r otphours-
tion of it in sterling gold, .
adding to the evils occasionedurill-advised
and inequitable currency laws.
T b y olarge
la ndp,
Let it not be supposed from
what we have
above stated that we are generally favourable to
the system of promotion by purchase in the army ;
but without entering on that broad ground, -with-
out seeking a satisfactory solution of the "vexed',
question, we may unhesitatingly say that if it is
to be retained for English candidates for commis-
sions, it should be applied to German aspirants.
The ame measure should be meted to the one as
kgetlie4hLr. tht why not English officers alto-
eitter;* iithikeir lit IndiA ?
- ...../ -...,:v
1.4:(44,& -Wlittary.,_ authorities seek to obtain a
.1 1 4 ' t
tet eltiii '.4;4' 6.401'164 Well rgetio
educated, one
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