CHANGE IN WEAPONS OF WAR

307

mover.

'troubling of the waters' that produces pureness, the same as the leaves of the lotus and other aquatic plants move the surface of water in tanks; these vegetable fans keep the liquid from becoming stagnant, and consequently unfit for use. In the same manner the element of the mind is the mover and purifier of states. The mind the An epoch arrives, when men like Bismarck arise and cause a revolution of things that had arrived at stagnation: these minds perform to the mass (or the mind collectively) what the lotus does to the water. They agitate the surface, they put an end to stagnation, and when we see the result we marvel at the simple means by which great events are governed. A battering-ram became useless Change in when cannon began to be used. The heavy war. armour for man and horse disappeared when the musket superseded the cross-bow and the sword. So, when large cannon were introduced the French were unwise in allowing themselves to French taken be brought into action under such evident disadvantages. To be opposed by merely incapable men is certain victory to the wise and energetic ; the latter can see to the end and can easily detect the apathy or oversight of their foes. The great Bismarck, the far-seeing Prussian Emperor, and his shrewd Commander-in-chief, all saw what gave them the victory in the Danish war and at

weapons of

in.

Goliath of
Gath against
David.

French artillery of former days.

The Aulic Council caused the

capitulation of Ulm.

One head in

war.

Sadowa, and those two events prepared them to anticipate the French at 'Sedan.' It was like Goliath of Gath smitten from afar by the pebble from the brook; and the giant in his armour was no match for the youth with a sling. His head was cut off with his own weapon; and so also the French army was crushed by the very weapon that had brought the first Napoleon into notice. By the good use of artillery, wherein they equalled if not surpassed their former enemies, the French had covered themselves with glory; but by not being up to the time-by allowing the Prussians to meet them with guns more powerful and of far longer range-they were powerless to encounter the foe and lay at such a disadvantage as must be clear to any youth of twelve years of age.

Was it not the Aulic Council that brought about the capitulation of Ulm? But for that, Mack might have assembled 170,000 men in the Tyrol. He dared not depart from the order of that Council; while Napoleon, having despotic power, did as circumstances dictated or demanded. Frederick is another instance of a commander with unlimited power. One head, one organisation, is imperative in war; otherwise, all is confusion. Were there not men in the French army who saw the mistakes made? But too often the downfall and humiliation of states is caused by

those at the head scorning to listen to thinking, practical men. It cannot be otherwise; all his

repute

world.

tory teems with instances of men of no repute, who Men of no from time to time start up and astonish the astonish the world with their brilliant achievements, brought about by the simplest and easiest methods! Cromwell starts up, and lo! we see a great general. The American war breaks out, and American behold! we see numerous commanders step out of their offices and their civil lines of life to evince high military qualifications, and to handle large armies with consummate generalship.

generals an instance.

the man.

tific body.'

to be relied

War is the time to develope the stuff a nation War calls can produce. The raw material only requires to be manufactured: but in time of peace there is so much jealousy that practical men are kept back. We are apt to think that in all matters The 'scienthe scientific body must be right. A man may be able to explain the law of the trajectory, yet perhaps he cannot hit a target. We prefer the practical Who is most sportsman who can shoot his tiger or bear, to the one who lays down rules for firing yet fails to make a bag! War bursts out and then we see who are our really good soldiers. Opportunities make the man, though tens of thousands never get the opportunity. But besides opportunity, the man, to gain Opportunity repute, must hold a position in which his power is untrammelled. Numbers do very well in subordi

on?

required.

men.

nate positions, who, if they are called upon to act

on their own judgment, will be found incompetent. Incompetent Ney, Berthier, Murat are a few out of thousands of examples. But it is the same in France, England, Austria,-among all nations in fact. Martin Tupper says:—

Martin

Tupper.

If in the lottery of life thou hast drawn a splendid prize,
What foresight hast thou and skill! Yea, what enterprise and

wisdom!

But if it fall out against thee, and thou fail in thy perilous endeavour

Behold! the simple did sow, and hath reaped the right harvest of his folly :

And the world will be gladly excused, nor will reach a finger to

help.

For why should this speculative dullard be a whirlpool to all around him?

For the man has missed his mark, and his fellows look no

further.

The Grand Struggle in Progress for Liberty Torrens on the Profession of Arms-Great Britain without Army or Navy would Fall-We have been told before that the British Lion was in his Dotage-Crimean War and Sepoy Mutiny Proofs to the Contrary-Our Volunteers-Our Love for Athletic Sports-Advantages of Training, especially if called upon to meet Hardships -Our Army before the Mutiny little known to the Nations of India-Better Knowledge should be widely distributed-True Civilisation a thorough Appreciation of each other's Mental Powers -Generals carefully Estimate Intellectual Attainments of Antagonists-Foresight and Precaution the most Consummate General

ship.

grand

Ir must surely be obvious to all contemplative Liberty's minds that at the present time the whole world is struggle. making a grand struggle for liberty. Alas! for how many years past have we not observed the few bright sparks of the fire of independence stamped out of men, men indeed who love freedom even as we do? Or if perchance these sparks were not entirely extinguished, have they not been left to smoulder under heaps of cold-dead ashes, that cannot be resuscitated? But can those mountains of precious dust from the fuel of Liberty's fire be ever rekindled? Read the fate of the Poles, Hungarians, and Circassians, and reflect for a moment. Liberty