uch more of all this ought to be
brought in, but clearly it would serve in a great degree as recreation,
and need not thrust aside whatever hard work boys are capable of doing.

Position Of The Commander-In-Chief In Parliament

_Page __362_

_Mr. Gladstone to the Queen_

_July 8, 1871._--Mr. Gladstone believes that according to precedent the
commander-in-chief, when a peer, has not shrunk from giving his opinion on
measures submitted to the House of Lords. In 1847, the government of that
day introduced the Short Service bill, of which on the merits it is
believed that the Duke of Wellington, then commander-in-chief, did not
approve. Indeed he expressed in debate on April 26th, 1847, his doubts
whether the measure would produce the advantages which were anticipated
from it; nevertheless, while having no political connection with the
government, he spoke and voted in a division for the bill. It is probable,
as the numbers were only 108 to 94, that his speech and vote alone carried
the bill. Your Majesty will not fail to bear in mind that until 1855,
there was always a very high military authority who was in political
connection with the government, namely, the master of the ordnance.
Indeed, unless Mr. Gladstone's recollection deceives him, Lord Beresford
was required by the Duke of Wellington in 1829, as master of the ordnance,
to support the Roman Catholic Relief bill. And it is still regretted by
many that ministries have not since comprehended any such officer. All
question, however, as to the political support of a ministry by the
military chiefs of the army is now at an end.

A Soldier At The War Office

_Page __363_

_Mr. Gladstone to Mr. Cardwell_

_Jan. 5, 1871._--It was a great advantage before 1854, that there was
always a considerable soldier either in the cabinet or at least at the
head of an important military department, and politically associated with
the government. This we lost by the crude and ill-advised reconstructions
of '55. But you, following in this point a wise initiative of your
predecessor, have endeavoured to bring the appointment of Sir H. Storks
into a position which makes it probably the best substitute for the former
plan that can be had at present. The demand that a soldier shall be
appointed at the present time would hold good _a fortiori_ for all periods
of greater emergency. I know not where that principle has been admitted in
our military administration. If we