the Colonies,—one of the greatest boons ever conferred on the British soldier, whereby an immense amount of human life, as well as human sufferings, has been saved; and finally, to whose great talents and powers of observation the deserving compliment was paid, of entrusting him with a most important mission to the East; the results of which, with the consequent disclosures thereby entailed, before the Chelsea Board of Inquiry will, it is hoped, prove the death-blow to a system probably more corrupt than ever system was before! To a few such men, supported by public opinion and the press, is the army and the nation at large, indebted for reforms which are now daily taking place, and which will shortly, it is trusted, establish our military system on as efficient a footing as that of our gallant allies, the Sardinians and the French, we may perhaps add, as that, of our late enemies, the Russians, by whom, during this war, such consummate military skill and knowledge have generally been displayed. Amongst those military subjects which have lately engaged public attention, are the "Purchase System" and the recent" Memorial of the Guards." The former is now under discussion. And I shall not here attempt to discuss the latter very knotty point. L The Guards whenever the opportunity has presented itself, have proved themselves in many a bloody battlefield, worthy companions of their heroic brethren of the Line; nor does the Linesman grudge any additional honours and privileges which the "Guards" of his beloved Sovereign may enjoy, provided those honours and privileges be not enjoyed at his, the "Linesman's,” expense and cost: he therefore proposes in the course of the following pages to make a few suggestions, which—whilst conceding all due honours and privileges to our gallant Guards,—would accomplish that object, without inflicting injury, or causing jealousies and heart-burnings to their no less gallant brethren of the Line; and whilst carrying this intention into effect, the “Linesman" deprecates any feeling of hostility, either generally or individually, towards the Guards, for whom he always expresses the highest sentiments of admiration and respect; but it is against the SYSTEM, that he has brought his musket down to the charge. In the ensuing pages, the plot,—if there be any plot at all, the hero and other personages introduced upon the scene, (although mingled, to give tone to the narrative, with a few historical data and military facts) are all creatures of the imagination: and if any apology be requisite for occasionally introducing more serious subjects into a work constructed on so slight a foundation, the Author must even excuse himself in the words of the poet : "Forgive me, if with truth I fiction join, And grace my tale with other charms than thine. He drinks deceived, and so deceived, he lives." I may perhaps be allowed another quotation which, though less poetic, is not the less true, or less applicable to such as attempt to administer bitter draughts of reform to the "sick infants" of Favouritism and Routine, of Corruption and Abuse. The Author of "Portsmouth Protected" very justly remarks: "Unfortunately for the country, it never seems to occur to any one, either of the governing classes or among the governed, that it is possible a man may be actuated by some other or higher motive than mere personal pique or selfinterest. All reformers or inventors are looked upon as officious or dangerous members of society, and suspected and reprobated accordingly; and the consequence is, that no gentleman cares to enlist himself among the "troublesome classes" as they are termed. If any unfortunate individual is car ried among them by an excess of zeal in the public cause, it is quite amusing to observe how immediately his friends assume an attitude of distant and cautious observation, and how suddenly whole hosts are arrayed to repel the invader of the vested rights' of ignorance.' Such indeed may prove the "Linesman's" fate -be it so but his reply to those who may question his right to preach the crusade of reform, is,-in the words of that powerful organ which expresses the opinions of the day,—that: "THE PUBLIC BUSINESS OF ENGLAND, IS THE PRIVATE BUSINESS OF EVERY ENGLISHMAN.” |