We are triumphantly told that neither Clive nor Wellington could
have passed the test which is prescribed for an aspirant to an
engineer cadetship. As if, because Clive and Wellington did not do
what was not required of them, they could not have done it if it had
been required. If it be only meant to inform us that it is possible to
be a great general without these things, so it is without many other
things which are very useful to great generals. Alexander the Great
had never heard of Vauban's rules, nor could Julius Caesar speak
French. We are next informed that bookworms, a term which seems to
be held applicable to whoever has the smallest tincture of
book- knowledge, may not be good at bodily exercises, or have the
habits of gentlemen. This is a very common line of remark with
dunces of condition; but whatever the dunces may think, they have no
monopoly of either gentlemanly habits or bodily activity. Wherever
these are needed, let them be inquired into and separately provided
for, not to the exclusion of mental qualifications, but in addition.
Meanwhile, I am credibly informed, that in the Military Academy at
Woolwich the competition cadets are as superior to those admitted on
the old system of nomination in these respects as in all others;
that they learn even their drill more quickly; as indeed might be
expected, for an intelligent person learns all things sooner than a
stupid one: and that in general demeanour they contrast so
favourably with their predecessors, that the authorities of the
institutions are impatient for the day to arrive when the last remains
of the old leaven shall have disappeared from the place.
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