The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-18 00:00:00

QUITE NEW.

OYER'S SULTANA'S SAUCE. —A most
kJ refreshing and pleasing stimulant to the appetite, comnosed
principally of Turkish condiments, combined with various culinary
prodactiotis of the East It is an exquisite rel sh with Fish, Meat,
Poultry, and Game, aril forms a valuable addition to Soups, inces,
Bashes, ,tews, Meat Pies and i'uldirgs, as wet a•. to Salads of
every description. To S.eaks and Chops it imparts a highly delicious
and aromatic flavour.
To be had of all Rime Vendors. and of the sole Wholesale
Agents, Crosse and Blackwell, Par icyors to the Queen, 21, Soho-
square, London.

R. HOWARD, 6urgeon-Dentist, 52, Fleet-
.:
,„,„_- street, has introduced an entirely new description of A RTI-
IAL TEETH Axed without springs, wires, or ligatures. They so
perfectly resemble the natural teeth as not to he distinguished from
oliVinal by the closest observer; they will never change colour or
e
decay,;, and will be found very superior to any teeth ever before used.
ills method does not require the extraction of roots, or any patina]
"Deration, and will support and preserve teeth that are loose, and Is
liiitrantecal to restore articulation and mastication ; end that Mr.
°ward's improvement may be within the reach of the molt econo-
"cal, he has fixed the charges at the lowest tca:e posaib'e. De-
taYed teeth st Tped and r ndered sound and useful in mastics-
"on•--52, Fleet-street. At 'ome from ten till Ave.

Eou BARRY'S CEL'I3RATED INFANTS
F 001), for DELIC kTE INF A \ TS, cFELDREN, and IN-
VALIDS. Supersedes the expense and dangers of wet nursing, is
'Wore easily d •
gested and imparts more healthful nmrishment than
3lil- anidity, era tips, bowel complaints, flatulency, cough, restless-
r
;1,78, SC".( •la, eruptions, are avoided 11, it, and perfect regularity of
esYste.n and sound sleep inured. Many resneetable families who
nave rea_ el and saved delicate Infants by this Fo,,d can be referred
to, and a copy of their Testirnomals may he had. free on forwarding
/tamped and addressA envelope to Barry Da arry and Co., 77,
negent-street, London. Prices :-- In Caph:ters, Is. 25.; and 121 b.
at 21s. The large Canister will be forwarded tree of carriage on
receipt of Post Office Order.

ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL, Gray's inn-Road
Patron-Ih,, QUEENT

Founded 1828,

The sick poor are adm!ite ion their own application alone. No
recommendation is required
During the past wee., 2,664 patients received the benefits of this
Charity, either as out oria-do.ir patient s, and since its foundation to
31st nee., 1856, the number relieved is upw4rd+ of 580.000.
The Committee entreat AID to enable them to continue this great
Work of charity.
Treasurer and Banker—John Maiterman, Esq., Nicholas•lane.

CANCER HOSPITAL, London and West
Brompton.--recretary's Office, 167, Piccadilly.—This Institu-
tion has been established exclusively for the treatment of the poor
a'llicted with cancerous diseases. Out-door patients to attend at 167,
Piccadilly, on Tuesdays, at 2 o'clock. In-door patients are admitted
at the Brompton Estailishment, for one month. and for a longer
period if recommended by the medical officers. The number of per-
sona under treatment as in or out-door patients have averaged for
the last three years about 400 cases each year. Since the foundation
of this Hospital in 1851, 1,799 poor persons, suffering under every
form of this dreadful malady, have received the benefits of this
Charity. A Weekly Board manage its affairs, and every informs-
ton connected with the InstitUtion may be obtained on application
to the Secretary. Contributions to enable the Committee to eentinue
this great work of benevolence are urgently solicited, and may be
paid to William Loiham Farrar, Esq., the Treasurer, 66, Lincoln'e-
inn-fields ; Messrs. Coutts and Co., Strand ; and at the Secretary's
Oalces, 167, Piccadilly
Ey order.
W. J. COCKERILL Secretary.

T:IE SECRET INFIRMITIES OF YOUTH AND DIA.TITRITY
Just published, price is., post tree, in an Envelope, for 13 stamps,
VELF-PRESERVATION. —A Medical Treatise
on the Functions and Disorders of the Generative System,
1.n,1 on, the cure of Nervous and Physical Debility, resulting
trom vicious habits acquired during the critical passage from youth
to 'Manheod, with practical observations on the Physiology of Mar-
riage in its social moral, and physical relations. To which are added
remarks on thewonders of the Microscope in revealing the hidden
mysteries "of Life within Life,' and its advantages in detecting, by
‘u.
inary.examination, the cause and effect of every variety of these
complaints, with numerous engravings and cases.
BY SAMUEL LA'MERT, M.D.,
37, BEDFORD SQUARE, LONDON
Matriculated Member of the Ip'nitiavierldical srie Society, Licentiate el
of Edinburgh, Honorary
II
31ember of the London Hospital
Apothecaries' Hall. London, &c., &c.
he essential object of this treatise is to point out the fearful con-
emiences resulting from certain habits, irregularities, and excesses,
AN bleb have produced more misery in Youth, degradation
hood, and premature decay at all stages of life, than, perhaps,e aaln?re
inM.'n-
other class ()His. ase known to modern pathologists. Its
p
Varticularly recommended to persons entertaining secret doubts of
their phys cal ctardition, end who are conscious of having hazarded
the-bc,a'!h, happiness, and privileges to which every human being is
nthicri,
It L bsolutely necessary that all men should know that there arc
Trinciplcs of personal management which cannot be violated with-
out incurring grievous penalties, and when wisdom and regret suc-
ceed the heyday of incoi4siderate self-indulgence, how those penalties
may be mitigated, how the sting of their bltteniess may he removed.
and how the evil and its consequences may be avoided, end, above all,
that there is scarcely any degree of ph) sled infirmity or functional
derangement to which the timely aid of science cannot apply a cure.
Published by J. Allen, 20, warwick-lane, Paternoster•row, and
may be had of Mann, 39, Cornhlll ;
onsulted Horne, 19, Leicester-square .
(Icrdon, 14d, Leadenhall street or from the Author, who may be
daily, from 11 till 2, and from 6 till 8, at his residence, 37
Bedford•square, London.
_ he work may be had in India, of Mr. 'Von Litzky, Loll Bazaar ;
(:alcutta—Messrs. C. and J. liormusjce, Apollo-street; Bombay-
9,:it:..ulator Offi°mho, ce ; Madras—Motassilite Office; Agra Dodsworth ;
U
Ceylon; and of all B .oltsellers tit ouhgerai theColonle

A N ACT OF GRATITUDE.-5,000 Copies of a
Medical Book for Gratuitous Circolation.— GEORGE TELOMAS,
1,, having been effectually cured of nervous debility, loss of memory,
amt dimness of sight, resulting from the earls- errors of you'll, by
ollowing the instructions given in a Medics' Work by a Ph) sician,
he considers it his duty, in gratitude to the auth or, and for the benefit
of nervous sufferers, to publish the means used. Be will therefore
send tree, to any a t ,ress, in a sealed envelope, on receipt of a direct-
ed envel, me enclosing two stamps, to pre-pay postage, a copy of the
medical work containing every inform Itiol required. Address, G.
Thomas, Esq , Craven House, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

DRINCE ALBERT ROAD, Hypie-park.—ln
this delightful and desirable neighbourhood are to be LET or
710f.1') several select and elegantly finished Residences, their architec-
tural display is of the highest order, and the internal arrangements
ire everything that can possibly be desired; in size they are rulte
-or the occupancy of both the Nobleman and Gentleman acid the
study of comfort has been the chief object of the builder. This now
most fashionable part of London renders the locality of these
huildines undeniable, being contiguous to Kensington-gardens, with
its beautiful walks, ,nd I lyile-park, with its rides and chives added
to which the salubrity of the air of Kensington-gore Is prover^lal.
and considered by the faculty the most healthful in the vicinity of
the metropolis. Arply at the Office, 1, Prince Albert-Road, South
Kensington.

•
ON PHYSICAL DISQUALIFICATIONS, GENERATIVE
INCAPACITY, AND IMPEDIMENTS TO MARRIAGE.
New and improved Edition, enlarzed to 196 pages, Illustrated by 100
Anatomical Coloured Engravings on Steel, just published, price,
free by post, Is.,
THE SILENT FRIEND : 'A Medical Work
on the physical exhaustion and decay of the frame, from the
,fiesta of sontary indulgence, infection, and the injurious conse-
iuences from the use of Mercury ; with observations on the oblig,a•
tons of marriage, and dir 'et lons for obviating certain disqualifica-
lons. By I:. and L. Pt RitY and CO., Surgeons-. Sod by J. Allen,
Warwick-lane. Paternoster-row; Songer, 160, Oxford-street;
tnd Cordon, 146, Lead nhall-street, London.
The CORDIAL BALM of SYRTACUM is employed in hothsexes
to renovate be impaired powers of life. Its action is purely balsamic;
its power in reinvigorating the frame in all cases of nervous and
sexual eehility, obstinate glects, impotency, barrenness, and debi-
lities arising from venereal excesses, has been demonstrated by
its unvarying success in thousands of cases. Price I Is. per bottle,
or four quantities in one for 335., which saves 11S.
The CONCENTRATED DETERSIVE ESSENCE, an anti-syphi-
itic remedy, for purifying the system, and is recommended for any of
'he varied forms of secondary symptoms, such as eruptions on the
,kin, blotches on the head and face, enlargements of the throat, '
ionsils, and uvula; threat ned destruction of the nose, palate, &c.
Its action Is purely detersive, and its beneficial influence on the
-yst,m is undeniable. Price lis and 335. per bottle, also a saving
of Hs.
PERRIA PURIFYING QPECIFIC PILLS constitute an effee-
Wal remedy in tither sex for all cases of gonorrlicea, glect, stricture,
and diseases of the urinary organs. Price 2s. 9d., 4s. 6d ,an 1 1 Is.
er box.
Sold by Daniel Church, 78, Gracechurch-street, City; Bartlett
deeper, 43, King William-street (four doors from London Bridge) ;
G. F. Watts, I Strand ; W. Sutton and Co., 10. Bow-churchyard;
W. Edwards, 67, Fst. i'aurs-churchyard ; J. Senger, 153, Oxford-
,treet ; Hannay an I II etrlellQen, 63, Oxford-street ; Butler and
!litriline.. 4, Cheapsi,le. ; Prow and Bargain, 229, Strand ; and all
medicine ve,idors ; hro,lghout the United Kicgd am.

NO MORE.PILLS NOR ANY OTHER MEDICINE
(Dyspepsia), Constipation,
ClTFR!aEtuSle(vnelyt.h ,°Pliilt Physic) of indigestion ,
all Nervous, Dillon., and Liver Complaints,
Ily-teria, Neuralgia, Dyselitry, Diarrhoea, Acidity, Palpitation,
IleartburP, Headactie„Debility, Despondency, Cramps, Soa.ms,

-
Nausea, and Sickness (during pregnancy or at s3l), SinkingSinkingFi s,
Cough, Asthma, Bronchitis, Consumption, also Children's Com-
plaints are effacted by
DU BARRY'S delicious RE VA LENTA
ARABICA FOOD, which restores health without purging,
inconvenience, or e%pen=e, as it s !Yes fluty times its 3ost in other
remedies. It is, moreover, the best food for infants and invalids
generally, as it never turns acid on the weakest stomach, nor inter-
feres with a good liberal diet, but imparts a healthy relish for lunch
and dinner, and restores the faculty of digestion, and nervous and
muscular energy to the most enfeebled.
We extract a few out of the many thousand expressions of grati-
Ude fro)n invalbis :—Cure No. 71, of dyspepsia, from the Right lion.
the Lord Stuart do Decies " I have derived co -9 iderable benefit
:coin Du Barry's Revalenta Arabica Food, and molder it due to
y urselves and the public to authorise the publication of these lines.
Stuart de Deetes." Curs No. 49,432 "Fi ty years' index-ribable
agony from dyspepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation,
flatulency, spasms, and sickness at the stomach and vomitins, have
been retnoveci by Da Barry's excellent Food. 4fariaJoly, `Northam
Ling, near Dlss, 'a ortolk."— Cure No. 47,121. Miss Elizabeth Jacobs,
or Nazing Vicarage, Waltham Cross, Boris, a cure of extreme ner-
vousness, indigestion, gatherings, low spirits, an 1 nervous fancies.—
Ciro No. 48,314. Miss Elizaeeth Yeontan, Gateacre, near Liver
pool : a cure of ten's dyspepsia, and all the horrors of nervous irrita-
bility. Cure No 18,216. Dr. Andrew Ure of constipation, dyspep-
sia, persons irritability. Cure No. 31,2 'O. Dr. Shoreland of dropsy
and debility. Cure No. 36,212. Captain Allan of epileptic fits
Cure No 42,116. Major Edie of enlargement of the liver and total
prostration of strength. Cure No. 35,418. 11ev. 1)r. Minster of
cramps, spasms, end daily vomitings, Cure. No. 26,418. Dr. Har-
vey of diarrhcea and debility.' Cure No. 19,628. Dr. Wurtzer,
of thirty years diseased lunge,
of consumption. Cure No. 32,883. William Plants, Esq., barrister,
of psralys s. Cure ao. 46,270. Mr. James Roberts, wood merchant,
eartial dea'ness. Cure Se. 4 ,814. air. Samuel. Laxton, Lei:ester,
spitting of blood, liver derangement,
of two years' diarrlicca. Cure No. 52,612. The Dowager Countess
of
ge,Ctaostlestuart, of many years' nervous irratinility, bile, and indi-
stipation, indigestion, and deisTili7ye•,nftyro-nfisve
1 n. Cure No. 54,812. Miss Virginia Zeguers, cured of con-
sumption, after her medical advisers had abandoned all hopes of
recovery. Cure No, Bo a
misery, and which
pepsia. nervousness,l
sflectually curer by
3n13 medicine could remove or relieve, have been
wlrch my servant had whichy ear
Is '
have nervousness,suflesuffered
greatcon-
Reeves, 181, Fleet: reu Barry's Food in a very short thee. W. R.
et, London." No. 4,208. "right years'
debility,(Po-
with cramps, spasms, and nausea, for
eflectually cured I.y uu consulted the advice of many, have been
happy to answer any Barry's,__e health restoring 1. ood. I shall be
with pains In my nee and left ar
No. 3'"278361. 5.,, Rev. John Flavell. ftidlington Rea-
Three years' excessive nervousness,
tory, Norfolk."
der ad my life very miserable, biT, and general debility, which ren
has radically removed by Du
Porter; Barry's health restoring Food. „
Thirteen years'
Archdeacon of Roes,
and general debility have been remoyeer
a kibberaen." Core No. 3,905. years' cough, indigestion,
Abel Sus Barry's excellent
ftev,denta Arabica Food James P
importan Caution against the fearful 'd
thohstre et, Perth."
angers of spurious imita-
ations:—
'I he Vice• Chancellor Sir William Page Wood
granted an Mune-
sisn on the 10th March, 1854, against Alfred I
:Lnitating "Du Barry's Revalenta Arabica Food."
Neville, for
ar italay passed ;or all climates, and with cull instructions.
:misters, lib 2s 9d ; 21b 4 (al ; bib lls , 121 b 225. The
.rY anti
1211) car
loge free, on receipt of Post-office order. Barry Du l'
';o.. 77, Regent-street, London; Fortnum, letaeon, and Co.,
pur-
veyors to her Majesty, 182, Piccadilly, also at 60, Gracech urch'
street; 330, 430, and 451, Strand ; 4, CheapsideS 119 s . , -
sss aLopsgate
150, and 159, Oxford-street.

A.DVERTISEMENTI.—Ht.II way', Pills. —Ann t her won-
Jeff& cure of Asthma,—Extract of a letter from Mrs. ,
Ann June-, Lord-street, Liverpool, to Professor Hullo
way Iv, as seriously tAllcted for five years wit},
asthma, frequently expectorating blood, palpitation o'
the heart, together with faintness and cold sweat. I,
this state I continued fur several months. I consulted
the tacnity until all hope of relief vanished, when I wa,
Prevailtd upon to give your pith a trial. Under tbeit
influence this terrible milady quickly disappeared, and
my health is now re-e,,tablishsd."—Sold by all medicine
veu,lors throughout the world ; at Professor Holloway's,
244,
Strand,stainpLondon, and 80, Msiden-lane, New York ;
by A. a,
Constantinople; A. Guidicy, Smyrna;
and E. Muir, Malto

THE PRESENT MODE OF ENTERING THE ARMY.
A person desiring t-) obtain a commission in the
army, applies to the coalman ler-in-chief, or to hiS
military secretary. The commander-in-chief makes
such inquiry 'as he may think fit into the character
and eh cum,tances of the candidate ; if he is satis-
fied With the result, he directs the name to be en-
t,ted in a book, for a commis-ion, either with pur-
chaQe, cr without purchase, as the case may 13-. In
the three regiments of guardA, and in the regiments
of h'usehold cavalry, the patronage of granting first
commissions is vested m the colonels of the re ;pc"-
ti ve regiments. The candidate for commis-don, whe-
ther by purchwe or not, is always sent to the Mili-
tary College of Sandhurst, fur the purpose of being
examined, before he can receive hiscommission. The
present system of examination was established in
the year 1819. When a young man has passed his
' examination, he is eligible for a commission. If
he has applied to purchase, he may be appointed to
the first vie they which occurs from a retirement
by sale ; 'l' he has applied fora commission without
purchase, he must wait until a vacancy shall have
occurred by death, when his application may be
considered together with the claims of other caudi-
da,' es. In the purchase of the first C0M1T11,941013,
the regulatiOn price is never exceeded. The com-
mission is never gazetted until the required sum
has been paid to the army agent. Some commis-
sions without purchase are annually reserved for
the calets'at Sandhurst who have passed a certain
standard a examination, which is of a higher
character than the one required of candidates
generally. The system of purchase operates very
differealy in time of war and of peace. During
the former period tlie augmentations and vacancies
om. death leave open many commiszions without
purchase; but, upon the conclusion of peace, the
vacancies are fewer, and those which occur are in
great measure filled up by officere brought in from
the half-pay list.

PROMOTION.
Promotion is of two kinds—either army promo-
tion, or regimental promotion ; army promotion is
by ly:evet, and is unconnected with the purchase_
system. This does not, therefore, come strictly
within the scope of our inquiry. Regimental pro-
motion can only be obtained, without purchase,
when vacancies occur from casualties, or when
augmentations are authorised. The rule of pro-
motion by purchase is that when a vacancy occurs
in the higher ranks of a regiment, from the retire-
went of an officer by sale, every officer has a claim,
according to seniority, to purchase the next rank in
the regiment provided that no objection to his
promotion is made by the commanding officer of the
or by the Commander-in-Chief.
returns are made from every regiment to the
office of the Commander-in-Chief, showing the
'mes of the officers of each rank wbo are desirous

of purchasing advancement, and the references
which they give for the funds necessary to effect
their object. These returns are certified by the
commanding officer, who moreover states whether
the officers desirous of purchasing promo ion ave
fit and qualified for the advancement which they
seek. If no qualified officer of the regiment pre-
sents himself for purchase, an officer is brought in
to M. the vacancy from some other regiment or
from the half-pay list. Accordmg to the practice
of the army, no officer who is able and wiling to
pay the regulation price is passed over by another
in the same regiment., unless some flagrant conduct
or notorious incapacity should justify the withhold-
ing Lis certificate. Tine two principles which regu-
late promotion are said to be, first, that no officer,
however deserving, shall be promoted, Wi.h, ut
purchase, over the brad of his senior in the same
regiment; •secondly, that no officer shall be pro-
moted, by purchase, over the head of his senior
officer in the same regiment, provided such senior
officer bas stated his claim to purchase conformably
to the regulations. When an officer has reached
the position of lieutenant-colonel the power to pur-
chase any higher rank ceases. The pace to be paid
for commissions was considered and reported upon
by a board of general officers in the year 1821. It
how ever, admitted that during a period of peace
the anthough stringently worded, with
the addition of a severe penalty for their infraction,
are yet habitailly nt-glected, and the price paid,
except in the purchase of the first commission, al-
Au experienced army agent has stated that
in the cavalry any sum under double the regulation
priceitoyst map
be considered very reasonable. In for-
mermrinvariably exceeds the price fixed by autho-
years, a declara. ion was required from officers,
that they had nut given more than the regulation
price ; but this was evaded, and therefore discon-
tinued. The practice, therefore, of paying sums
exceeding the regulation price must be considered
to be an accompaniment of the purchase system,
which it appears impossible to prevent.
RETIREMENT.

The rule is, that an officer, wiao has purchased
any of his corninission,,, is permitted to retire from
he limy at any time, without ref,rence to the
period of bis service, and to receive the value of the
°N°anlyi:tihnait°hMe Whairseuholtie beheasn guiltypure fhaosedin provided al
misconduct. An
officer who has purchased all bis commissions, and
who sells out as a lieutenant colonel, is' entitled to
receive back, according to regulation, the came
amount as that which be had paid for his commis-

sinus. IF he dies in the service this money is lost
to his family. If, moreover, he is attack-d by dis-
ease, and is deemed to ba in immediate danger, he
would not be permitted to sell the cemmis,ion whi h
fie holds. . These regulations have been modified by
the warrant of March, 1856, which sanctions the re-
payrueet to an effi er's widow, children, or other
refs-Cons,
.of the regulation price paid for his Coe-
provided the officer has been killed in
action, erdias died of wounds, received in face of
the enemy, within six months afterbdog wounded.
An officer, who has not purchased any of his com-
missions, is allowed to retire by the sale of his
commission, after a certain period of service. A
field-officer, if he has served 21) years, would be
allowed the -full price of his-commission. The rule
has been adopted of late years, allowing an officer,
who has served a shorter time, to receive 100!. for
each year of service, in addition to the sum paid for
any step which he may have pureha el. Under
three year's service, however, this permission would
not be granted. In the case of an officer, who has
risen from the ranks, the rule is that two yea-s in
the ranks count as one in commission, and he is
perinitted to sell his commission on these terms.
OBJECTIONS MADE TO THE PURCHASE SYSTEM.
The practice of buying and selling places of honour
or of emolument und-r the Crown is, it is contend-
ed, vicious in principle, repugnant to the public
sentiment of the present day, and equally inconsis-
tent with the honour of the military profession and
with the policy of the British empTe. To dematd
the payment of a sum of meney from a young man
who enters the army, and who devotes his youth,
his health, audit may be his 1r to the service of
his COI-entry, to make his promotion dependent on
his purse ; and, lastly, if he survives the labours
and risks of ;he service, to allow him to receive ag tin
in lieu of a pension the money which may have been
paid for his o tonmi,s'ons, are mvasures which are
said to constitute a system of military policy irre-
concile able with justice, and unknown in every
other country throughout the world. This system,
it is moi cover affirmed, produces itl effects upon
the constitution of the army, and impairs its effi-
ciency, by giving an undue pre-emsuence to wealth,
by d scouraging exertion, and by depressing merit.
Under such regulations there is little inducer( ent
for officers to acquire proficiency in the Bei, nee of
war, or to study the military pr ogress of other na-
tions. An officer who performs his routine duties,
and who keeps a ewe of money available to pur-
chase his proinorion, ,as opportunities offer, may
look forward with confidence te the atteiument of
high military rank. While the subaltern who has
not the means to buy advancement may serve dur-
ing all the besteyeais of his life in distant st ,tons
and in deadly climatse, yet he roust be prepared o
see his juniors pass over him, for he will find that-
knowledge of military science and atrention to re-
gimental duties do not avail him, unless he is able
to buy the rank to which his qualifications entitle
him. In time of war every officer wino has paid for
his commissions must feel that he is exposed not
merely t) the loss of life, bat to the additional risk
of forfeiting by his death the amount of money he
has invested for the purchase of les promotions, and
which might otherwise have afforded a subsistence to
his widow and children. The officer, therefore,
enters into the le ittle with a knowledge that in
haz tiding his life he hazards also the future pro-
spects,of ihose who are dearest to him. The regu-
lation price of commisSionsis a fiction, and the large
sums which officers are cotnpeled to pay for pro-
motion aggravated the evil effect t of the system.
This is an evil which is inher ens in the system, and
which cannot, it is said, be remedied, -although it
operates unfairly to meritorious officers, and iej era
ously t, the public iutereet. An officer, for instance
may refuse to retire unless he can obtain a mach
larger sum than the regulation price ; the next for
purchase cannot af erd. to give this amount, and
he must either allow Limself to be passed over or
place himself in the invidious position of stopping
all promotion in the regiment. 04ses of this kind
lead to traffic arid bargaining amongst officers,
whereby a mercen ar y feeling, i t is al:eged, is created
in men whose- guiding principles should be a !doe
sense of honour and a risiuterested attachment to
the service. Exchanges from one regiment to an-
other, and sales to officers on halfseay, facilitate an
evasion of the regulations by practices which the
higher authorities of the army are tenable to pre-
vent. The system of purchase inflicts other hard-
ships on the less wealthy officers. At the conclu-
sion of a war reductions nec ssarily take place, and
many officers are put on hal-pay. Then, if a va-
cancy occurs in a regiment by the retirement of an
officer selling his commission, the next for purchase
equally buys his promotion; but if a vacancy by
death occur, and the nen-purchasing officer hopes
that his chance of promotion has at last arrived, he
may find to his dismay that another officer is
brought in from the half-pay, and that thus even a
death vacancy does not furi.her his advancensent.
Again, it is coutenied that while the purchase sys-
tem pr sses so unfairly on the less weathy officers,
disheartening men who wish to devote their lives
to the prefessioe, it attracts to the service idle
young men, who, having money at their disposal,
regard the army as a fashionable pastime for a few ,
year sofleisure, and brine with them habits ofexpense
and dissipation injurious to discipline, and ernbar.
rassing to their fellow officers, who are often forced
to leave a regiment where such an extravagant mod
of life prevail,. In a country where enlistment is
voluntary, it should be the p )licv of the stets to en-
courage men to join the army by awarding the
most deserving with commissions. But, under
the system of purchase, a soldier who has been
promoted from the ranks cannot hope to gain fur-
ther steps without money, whilst even the honour-
able position he has gained, by briogieg him into
the society of richer men, often renders his pro-
motion a doubtful advantage. From the above-
mentioned causss it is alleged the efficiency of the
army is impaired, and the military spirit of the
eat on is deteriorated ; but other instances are
adduce I where the public interests suffer more
directly from the effects of the purchase system.
The command of a regiment is au important trust,
yet it is admitted by high authority that several
officers have attained the position of lieutenant-
colonel who were unequal to the command of the
regiments which they held. Under existing regu-
lations officers succeed to the lieutenant-colonelcy
by purchase, unless they should be disqualified by
some notorious unfitness. When they have ob-
tained this command it is difficult for the higher
authorities of the army to remove them. A lieu-
tenant-colonel may b s ill -qualified for command,
and his unfitness may have been noticed by the
inspecting-general in his reports ; yet the case
may not admit of distinct charges being brought
against him, of which a court-menial could pro-
perly take cognisance. Tire authorities at the
Horse Guards feel a difficulty in exercising the in-
vidious power of removing such an officer. Some-
times, as the least objectionable course, they have
proposed that he should be put on half-pay, but
this burthens the country with an annuity for life
for an officer who is unfit to remain on full ply.
Here the evil consequences of •the purcna-e
system are direct and manifest ; and when
it is remembered how far the issue of a bat-
tle may depend upon the efficiency an I
skilful handling of every regiment engaged, it is
difficult to overrate the possible mischief resulting
from tee system. Not only may incompetent offi-
cers retain the Command of regiments, but the com-
mander of the forces may not be able to appoint the
officer whose standing and whose qualifications fit
him for this position. A remarkable instance is
cited where an officer, eminently qualified for such
command, received from the late Duke of Welling-
ton the offer of a regiment, which, from pecuniary
circumstances, he would have been compelled to
decline, unless other officers had generously come
forward to assist him with the sum required to be
pail for his promotion. This case occurred during
a period of war. If the purchase system interferes
thus injuriously with the appointments to the com-
mand of regiments it must indirectly affect all the
higher ranks of the army. Whenever the respon-
sible advisers of the crown are obliged to prepare
for the contingencies of war, arid to recommend her
Majesty to name a commander for her army in the
field, they must necessarily select from amongst
those who have attained high rank in the army.
The great majority of these officers, however, will
have risen by purchase, obtaining their rank not
from any acknowledged fitness, but from the cur-
rent of promotion and the opportunitlee of buying
advancement. Thiscotrntrywill therefore commence
the operations of war under a disadvantage compared
with foreign states, where all the officers in the
higher grades will have been subjected to several
selections, and may, therefore, if the power of select
has been honestly and wisely exercised, be all
wen of known efficiency and merit. To comprise in
afew words the evils of the purchase-system, it is said
to restrict the numb r of those from whom officers
can in the first instance be obtained ; it deadens the
feelings of emulation and the eagerness to acquire
milit try knowledge, and. it renders men eligible for
the highest command without taking any security
that they are fitted for such a position. Such a
basis fur the establishment of an army is, it is said,
most impolitic iu a country whose military force is
necessarily small when compared with continental

rnents.
Having thus stated the objections which are
urged against the purchase-system, we must on the
other hand state that: the prevalent opinion amongst
military men, so far as. we have been able to ascet
tain their views, is favourable to the.system' or at
least favourable to its meintenence, until, some
scheme shall have been devised which may produce
the beneficial results Aich are commonly ascribed
to the system of purchase.
The chief advantages of the system are said to be,
that it fa:ilitates the retirement of officers, and
thar.eby accelerates promotion in the army, which
would otherwise stagnate during a period of con-
tinued peace ; also it is said to afford to officers a
security against the influence of favour, enabling
each officer to obtain his advancement by his own
means, without being dependent on the goodwill of
the government -or on the patronage of higher
authorities. In order fairly to consider the evidence
which has been given in support of the purchase
system, it will be -convenient. fist to exatuisatits
effects upon the retirement of officers. e-4,-.-see ee-
The. military force of a state is effia ..::qn
proportion as it is ready to take the :fie ty and
to enter upon the fatigues and hardstips of a
campaign. For this purpose it is essential
that the great majority of the officers should not
only be well acquainted with ‘ the duties of their
profession, but should also be qualified by their
strength and vigour to sustain the exertions insepa-
rable from active warfare. A lengthened period of
peace readers it difficult to keep any milit try corps
in a state of effici,incy ; a scheme of re'ireinen,
therefore, which induces old officers to withdraw
from the army, and which replaces them by younger
men, must it is said, be beneficial to the country ;
and this benefit is still ,greater if effected without
any cost to the country. In the year 1840 a elm-
mission on naval and military promotion of which
the late Duke of Wellington and other high mili-
tary authorities were members, raporte I strongly
in favour of the purcha-e system, and declared tha
the practical advantages of. the system had b-en
proved by its effects during 24 years of peace. The
condition of the Ordnance corps, where the pur-
chase system has never been introduced, but where
the system of seniority; exclusively prevails, WAS
contrasted with that of the rest of the army, and it
was shown that the offs .ers of this corps having no
inducement to retire remained in the service far
b yond the age which wis desirable for the effi-
ciency of the corps. The commission on army I..ro-
motion, wh'cii reported in the year 1854, azaiu ad-
verted to this subject, and observe I, " in the ord-
nance corps not only the average age of the officers
is great r than in the corresponding ranks of the
army, hot moreover the average is not made np of
that variety of ages which is to be found in • the
army, and which gives to the public service the
advantage of having a -few officers in each of the
higher ranks of greater physical vigour than the
rest. From the report of this commission, it is,
however, manifest that the purchase system cannot
be depended upon as in itself sufficieut, during a
period of _peace, to secure in the higher ranks of
the army a body of officers endowed with the phy-
sical and mental energies requisite for those who
may be called upon to superintend active opera-
tions in the field. Ou this accoant the c .mtnission
recommended various measures with the view of
facilitating promotion, and they also advised that
the'principle of selection should be had recourse t I in
the appointments to situations of command, wiaich
had previously been according to seniority.
Tie witnesses who have advocated the mainte-
nance of the' purchase system insist upon the ad-
vantage which it affmds of facilitating re,irernent.
Upon this point our attention was dire :ted to the
practice of the Indian army, where, without any
recognised system of purchase, a custom of receiv-
ing money for retirement prevails, and is said to be
beneficial to the service. In the In Tian army pro-
motion is strictly governed by seniority ; it is a-sys-
tern of regimental promotion up to the rank of
major, and exchanges are not permitted. Above
the rank of major officers the by seniority in a ge-
neral list; but they have no claim to the command
of a regiment unless selected for it by the Coalman-
der-in-Chief. The Indian Government have had
recourse to several measures, in order to accelerate
promotion in their army. They give liberal pen-
sions to officers retiring, and since 1835 they grant
allowances in proportion to length of service, irre-
spective of the rank wkich the officer may have at-
tained. The strict adherence to the rule of promo-
tion by seniority has led to the adoption of a prat.
tice which is permitted by the authorities, though
not sanctioned by law, and which p‘oduces, as re-
gards retirement, a result somewhat simi'ar to the
sale of commissions. The officers of a. regiment sub
serbe amongst themselves and make up a purse,
to induce a senior officer to retire. Contributing is
optional ; but in mo t cases a young man would
soon.r incur pecuniary inconvenience than with
hold his aid from a scheme so popular in the regi-
ment. The practice of making up a purse applies
chiefly, it is said, to the rank of major, though it
occurs also in lower ranks. From the evidence as to
the effects of this system, and the unwillingness of
officers to retire without a contribution, in addition
to the pension allowed to them, it may be inferred
that, if the officers of the Indian army were left with
no other inducement to retire except the allowance
granted by Government, the regiments would be
fillei with oldofficers' and the efficiency of the army
would be impaired. Withall the advantages which
have been derived from this practice and from the
liberality of the Indian Government, it neverthe-
less appears, from the able report made by the late
Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie, that the condi-
tion of the Indian army and the exigencies of the
public services, will probably render it necessary to
apply the principle of selection, where as yet the
rule of seniority has prevailed. In considering the
policy of abolishing purchase in the British army,
and the best means of maintaining the current of
promotion, if purchase should be abolished, we
cannot recommend the adoption of the regulations
of the Indian army. To make seniority the unva-
rying rule of promotion would, in our opinion, be
an ill-advised course. The objection justly. urged
Bg-wrist the system of purchase, namely, that under
it no provision is made for securing to the country
the services of men best qualified by military ex-
perience and talent, would equally apply to the
rule of exclusive seniority, with the added incon-
veniences of more retarded promotion, and a
heavier charge on the revenue for retiring allow-
ances sufficient to keep up the current of promo-
tion.

Consideringd. the practice of the Indian service to
.
be to the British army,t we next directed
our attention to the systems of promotion and re-
tirement adopted in foreign countries, and more
particularly to the miqtary regulations of France.
Until the middle of the last century, or even later,
commissions in the French army could only be ob-
tattle 1 by favour of the Crown, or by favour of offi-
cei sin high command. Those persons were alone
eligible who were of a recogilited deesce at ; advance-
ment was attainable by payment of money; promo-
tion from the ranks was unkno srn ; and ills military
reputation' of France flourished under a system
which is now abolished and forgotten. During the
reign of Louis XVI. great alterations in the organi-
sation of the French army were in course of intro-
duction, when tote revolution led to are-organisation
of the whole military system, and the regulations
which were introduced during the time of the Repub-
lic, and under the first Napoleon, have been again
frequently reviewed and modified by succeeding go-
vernments. Many important regulations date only
from the year 1848 ; but the evidence which we
have collected refers to the system as it is at present
fixed, comprising the modes of admission, of pro-
motion, and of retirement. Public examiners aie
appointed, who go through the country and hold ex-
mei/laq eis in the principal towns ; they are assisted
by the officers of the several garrisons. Any young
men may present themselves as candidates, and if
they are found physically qualified for the army,
they are examined in mathematics, in history, in
geography, and in fortification. Those who satisfy
the examiners are sent to the military college of St.
Cyr ; but as the number of candidates usually ex-
ceeds the number of vacancies in the college those
who pass the best examinations are preferred. A
young man when admitted into the college of St.
Cyr is considered as having enlisted in the army.
lie remains in the college for two years ; the cost
of his maintenance and education being defrayed by
ilia family, mn ess they apply to the Government
and show that they are too poor, in which case
is assisted by a contribution from the State. At
the end of the two years he is again examined, and
if he satisfies the examiners he receives his com-
mission ; if be is unsuccess.fu,, which, however,
rarely occurs,. he must go in to the ranks of the
army. By this mode a portion varying from one-
third to two-thirds of officers enter the army. The
remainder enter from the ranks; having passed
through theyarious grade of non-commis,ioned offi-
cers. Under this system of admission the great
majority of officers depend for their livelihood en-
tirely on their pay. They live, therefore, in such