The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-18
THE BRITISH WiR OIfICE AND An.
NIR.fITI.

When Lord Bcaconsiield returned to Office
most of his former coll ,agurs returned with
him to their old places. hut "a change was made
at the War Oflcc There Mr.. Claiborne Hnrly
wns installed instead Of being eent back to the
Home Department. where he had shown re
markable efficiency in "A period fraught with
great perii-the Fcnian outbreak Of 1867 ;
Lord Beaconshcld, president as to cortineen-
cies. and well remembering the disastrous
bunders in 1876. when thousands OF lives ia
the Crimea were sacrificed 10 ineinciency no
doubt felt that strong man must be placed
over the army.
The War Department was entirely reconstruct
ell during the Crlmean war. Before that time
there were but three Secretaries of State. one Of
whom was Secretary for War and the Colonies /:
but inasmuch the colonial business was
found quite enough 10 busy one man. the oilice
Of Secretary at War was created. Ii was this
post which Lord palmrrston held 80 long in
early life. During the Crimcan war the Office
was abolished. and the Secretary OF State for
War created. H. confines himself entirely to
military matters. leaving the Secretary Of State
for the Colonies to devote himself wholly 10
matters colonial.
The War Department building is the largest
In Great Britain. with the exception of the Post
ONCE II is in Pail Mall. oppost lie the famous
lAtH anu ThihlSnt w. llt ARMY ana navy
Club is familiarity called. In front Of il
stands Il statue OF about the best friend the
British soldier ever hal-Sidncy Herbert. II l.
n graceful memorial. and one OF the few To-
which the suggestion that London statues would
bc greatly improved 10y having ivy traird over
them do not apply. Tho central part OF the
War ONCE was originally Buckingham House
long II centre Of superb hospitality while the
home Of the Dukes OF that name. II passod
from their hands when ruin could no longer he
STAYED OF. and the ault.Jnecr's hammer wis
heard in the galleries and saloons Of that great
est treasure house in England. Stowe. This
vast mansion WAS not vast enough however
and the department has absorbed Schombcrg
House, another whllom dural abode, aud lus
made yet further oncroa' hments. The south
side II the War once looks out over the former
garden Of buckingham House ana st. James.
Park II is almost in a line with Marlborough
House, from which it is but five minutes walk !;
by letting himself out ut the garden gate the
Secretary of State "an in a few minutes be clos
| ctcd with the Commander in Chief at the Horse
| Guards.
The Horse Guards is n massive building sep
aratcd hy n sInall court -yar from the broad
| street which leads from ChurnG Cross to West
minister 1t was built about l2O years ago. Be
meath the centre of the building Is an nrchwny
leading To the park and open Ia all foot pas,rn-
| gers and TO the carriages of certain privileged
| people, The Queen, in going 10 open parla-
ment, always takes this route. On each side Of
| the street entrance 10 the Horse Guards are sta
| toned two troopers on their splendid horses.
| They nrc usually surrounded by n group Of ad-
| miring small boys and country people.
Shouldn't YOU like TO bc II nne fellow like mo p
asked conreitcd young trooper of u Gamin.
! Ne, Ia like to he the horse that such n fine
| Teller has to groom was the pertinent reply.
Before the erection of the great clock tower n
| Westminster. the Horse Guards clock was tie
clock of London. Al night II is lit by what is
called the Dude light which throws Il peculiar
and rather weird moonlight kind of light upon
it, face. This light was invented by the late Mr..
| Goldworthy Quincy, an eminent engineer. and
| Is called Bude after his birthplace. II wild, At
Iantc-washed village ON the coast Of Devon and
! Cornwall.
With all midlle-ngcl I.onloncrs this Horse
Guards building at Whitehall is indcibly assoc
ciatcd with the Duke "a Wellington was
always, par eyce',1,ce called. Thither every
morning he for ycnrs rode down. attended by
the same old groom, whose face was rs familiar
to the public is his own; and there he steadily
worked assisted by his secretary. Lord Fitzroy
Somerset al,orward the Lord Raglan of the
| Crimoa. The Dukes successor to-day is the
Duke of Cambridge, the Queens first cousin.
The distinctive duties of the Horse Guards
and the War Office are clearly enough defined
10 prevent much clashing. The former takes
coSniHnnce especially Of everything appeltain-
ing " tho personnel and discipline OF tho army