INTRODUCTION.

It was remarked by a celebrated Prime Minister, in speaking of a General of high character and professional attainments, and of unquestionable courage, but who had always been unfortunate in war, that he wanted only one quality to constitute him a great warriornamely, success. Whatever may be the errors committed in the course of a campaign, if the ultimate issue be favourable, the verdict of society stamps the fortunate commander a great" General.

"Success" is undoubtedly a superb feather in the cap of a soldier. It hallows blunders,

VOL. I.

B

and consecrates follies;-it is at once an answer, an apology, and a justification. The Poles were traitors because they failed at Grodno and Ostrolenka; had they triumphed, Skrynecski would have been elevated to the rank of a hero, and the Emperor of all the Russias degraded to the condition of a monster.

There is, however, another accident indispensable to the elevation of a military man. Whatever may be his natural talents, however extensive his professional attainments-though his courage be indomitable and his acquaintance with the "bookish theoric" something prodigious, he remains for ever in obscurity, if he does not at some time or other enjoy the blessing of opportunity. Nine-tenths of the officers of the British army are, to all appearance, cast in the same mould. They have the same ideas, the same aspirations; are animated by the same motives, governed by the same principles, and are nearly of the same. degree of capacity. But the opportunity of achieving distinction alone establishes their

relative powers. genius manifests itself. Opportunity is the crucible which tests the quality of the military metal it is the talismanic touch which evokes the latent qualities of the man. Abercrombie did not enjoy his opportunity until he was sixty years of age. Herbert Edwardes wrought fame out of opportunity at twenty-seven. Nelson and Cochrane, impatient of obscurity, made their opportunities.

It is then that individual

I do not mean this brief homily to be accepted as the herald of the results of my own temporary good fortune, but simply as an illustration of what chance will achieve for almost any soldier. Accident made me an extra aide-de-camp, and the circumstances which attended my employment, in that capacity led to my subsequent transfer to Nepaul. Had the same chances been available to any one of my brother officers, similar, if not much higher, consequences might have ensued from their fortune. Who can doubt it that remembers the illustrious names of Lawrence,