departments, and thus to diminish
their efficiency." The duke of Cambridge, whose position entailed many
duties apart from those strictly appertaining to a commander-in-chief,
could not give personal attention to the vast range of matters for which
he was made nominally responsible. On the other hand, the
adjutant-general could act in his name, and the secretary of state could
obtain military advice from officials charged with no direct
responsibility. The effect was to place the duke in a false position in
the eyes of the army and of the country. If the administration of the
army suffered after 1888, this was due to a system which violated
principles. His active control of its training during the whole period
of his command was less hampered, and more directly productive of good
results.

Throughout his long term of office the duke of Cambridge evinced a warm
interest in the welfare of the soldier, and great experience combined
with a retentive memory made him a master of detail. He was famous for
plain, and strong, language; but while quick to condemn deviations from
the letter of regulations, and accustomed to insist upon great precision
in drill, he was never a martinet, and his natural kindliness made him
ready to bestow praise. Belonging to the older generation of soldiers,
he could not easily adapt himself to the new conditions, and in
dispensing patronage he was somewhat distrustful of originality, while
his position as a member of the royal family tended to narrow his scope
for selection. He was thus inclined to be influenced by considerations
of pure seniority, and to underrate the claims of special ability. The
army, however, always recognized that in the duke of Cambridge it had a
commander-in-chief devoted to its interests, and keenly anxious amid
many difficulties to promote its well-being. The duke resigned the
commandership-in-chief on the 1st of November 1895, and was succeeded by
Lord Wolseley, the duties of the office being considerably modified. He
was at the same time gazetted honorary colonel-in-chief to the forces.
He was made ranger of Hyde Park and St James's Park in 1852, and of
Richmond Park in 1857; governor of the Royal Military Academy in 1862,
and its president in 1870, and personal aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria
in 1882. He died on the 17th of March 1904 at Gloucester House, London.
The chief honours conferred upon him were: G.C.H., 1825; K.G., 1835;
G.C.M.G., 1845; G.C.B., 1855; K.P., 1