The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-29 00:00:00

There are many who will ask what is meant by taotltal
training, and in what way does the instruction usually
given to the officers and soldiers of most of the European
armies fail to supply it. The first question may be last
answered by saying that tactical training bears a relation
to what is known as drill similar to that which proficiency
in a language bears to its grammar. An accurate and com-
plete acquaintance with drill must he possessed by all
who aspire to be soldiers ; but this knowledge, espe-
cially as regards officers, should only be the commencement
of the study of their profession. A mere proficiency in
handling men in peace time over smooth ground, where
every circumstance is favourable, is a very slight step
towards manoeuvring troops under the various difficulties
of ground, of weather, to say nothing of danger, which
beset the officer in war time. This axiom appears so in-
dubitable that some will say that it may be taken for
granted ; but none the less are its principles neglected
in many European armies. Even in Prussia., where the
military authorities are believed to study war practically,
if we are to judge from the opinion of the author
of the "Tactical Retrospect of the Campaign of ISG6,"
tactical training was greatly neglected before that war ;
while the complete absence of it in our own army. provoked
the criticisms of foreign officers. There are, however,
indications that this want will be supplied, and that those
who are at, the head of our army are endeavouring to
rouse the attention of officers to the necessity of more
extended views of then. professional duties. The task is
not easy ; the perfection of mere show is so attractive,
the commendations it gains are so pleasing, that officers
must be stimulated by a real belief in their profession to
undertake the comparatively thankless duty of urging
those under their command to the necessity of greater
exertions and more laborious work. As an instance,
what can be more splendid than the Horse Artillery
manoeuvres over Woolwich-common? What more perfect
than the equipment of thebatteries, what more dazzlingly
clean than their appointments ? But are these same bat-
teries exercised in muddy roads, in narrow lanes under
circumstances which test artillerymen in warfare? Are
officers practised in rapidly bringing their guns into action
when jammed together into narrow lanes? Are they
taught to remedy the many breakages that
occur on service, and to meet its several exi-
gencies in regard to men, horses, and material?
Our cavalry at Aldershott are receiving valuable
training in the work that will be required of them on
service, and if the instructions contained in a manual on
outpost duty recently circulated from the Horse Guards
be carried out, much will have been done to teach all
ranks the important duties attaching to cavalry in the
field. A simple and ready mode of giving officers a good
seat has been practised by one of the colonels of the house.
hold cavalry—they are either to ride with the drag or
attend a riding school. This is excellent so far as it goes,
but thoroughly to meet the exigencies of war an officer
must, in addition, have instilled into him that the very
opposite of nearly all that Thackeray regards as the
type of a heavy dragoon is now requisite for a really
good leader of cavalry. Let only the cavalry officer reflect
on the duties which will be required of him on service, and
then let him honestly say whether he can be idle in peace
time. He must be a bold horseman, a man quick to per-
ceive and to seize occasions of action, he must have a good
eye for country, must understand the use of maps and of
field sketching. He should be a fair linguist ;in short,
he should be fitted to act as the eyes of the army, to
screen its operations from the enemy, to cover its advance,
to protect its retreat, to secure its communications
or to seize on those of the enemy, while at the same time
he must be thoroughly proficient in handling- his men when
employed together in large bodies. The infantry also
require to have instilled into them the belief that inure than
mere drill is required, and that tactical training has a real
meaning. Marches may be wearisome, but they are none
the less useful; the few mistakes which occur in peace
time act as warnings which may save life in war. Outpost
duty, manoeuvres over broken country, practice in encamp-
ing, in field engineering, and in the va: ions duties
of troops in war time form -the real school of instruction
during peace. It is only by constant progress that retro-
gression cal be hindered. To rest upon former laurels, to
suppose that the deficiences of an army will remedy them-
selves when war rouses the spirit of the nation, is to court
disaster. The fate of the Imperial army of France should
act as 'a warning to all nations, while the success of the
Prussians should, on the other hand, stimulate them to
train their forces during peace for the rude exigences of
war.—Pall Mall Gazette.

THE COMIC PAPERS.
(From, Punch. )

CHRISTMAS TELEGRAM FROM JOHN BULL, ESQ., TO
THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT.—Grant U.S. Peace.
THE CONVICT'S " CARTE DE VISITE.”—The Prison-
Van.

PEOPLE WE HAVE NOT MET.-A hairdresser who can
cut your hair without venturing to make any cutting
observations on it. A railway guard or porter with suffi-
cient self-control to shut a carriage door without violently
banging it.

EDUCATIONAL.—If Miss Garrett, is at any future time
elected to the Chair of the Education Board, her official
position will be recognised by the title " Chairwoman "
(as " Charwoman " pronounced), in which capacity, she
will employ, let us hope, the newest brooms.

. .
A " SELL."—(We've all got our little weaknesses.
Brown's little weakness is this : whenever he and Mrs.
Brown go to a dinner•party they do it in style, and he
naturally likes his entertainer's flunkeys to think that the
equipage he has hired for the occasion is his own.)—
Brown (in a loud voice) • " o—a—come for us at eleven,
John." The Coachman (in a louder) : " Hall right, sir !
What name shall I ask for ? "

(From Fun. )

A "LICENSED" VICTUALLER.—OId Father Christmas.
When a difficulty occurs with a submarine cable, what
course should the directors pursue? Grapple it.

UNUTTERED THOUGHTS : A PART SONG WITHOUT
WORDS.— Performers : Gentleman—Lady—Dog.— He :
I wish she'd put that wretched dog down and attend to
me. She : I wish he'd take himself off and let me write
to Charley. It : I wish they'd let me go and look after
my meat.—All three yawn furtively.