History or tae Barns Army (Mac-Millan and Ca. 40s. net.)
The eleventh volume of the Hon, J. W. Fortescue's monumental history of the British Army deals with the period from 1815 to 1838, It was a time of "stagnation in military affairs, when the country was suffering from the exhaustion caused by the long struggle against Napoleon. Practically speaking, the only interest taken in the Army by. Parliament or the public was incessant demands for the reduction of the already scanty numbers retained with the Colours. The Government, even when the Duke of Wellington became Prime Minister, harassed by perpetual appeals for economy, yielded so far that the total armed forces of the Crown, excluding the Yeomanry, amounted to only about 100,000 men. At one time only four infantry battalions were actually stationed in England; the whole of the remainder were abroad or in Ireland.
It is unnecessary at this stage in its progress to say much about Mr. Fortescue's great history. It is universally recognized as one of the most important military works, and gives, with full knowledge and in easy lucid style, a scholarly story of the development of the British Army and the part it has played in world affairs. Mr. Fortescue's industry is enormous, and his researches have explored every field from which information bearing on his subject could be gleaned. As his readers are aware, he not only deals with the purely military aspect of affairs, but gives an admirably clear and adequate synopsis of the contemporary, political, and economic situation, thus making his narrative more complete and valuable. Nor is he afraid to give free expression to his opinions, which do not ai-ways coincide with the generally accepted verdict of other historians. He finds, for instance, much to praise in the careers of men like Lord Liverpool and Lord Castlereagh, whom other writers have been content to describe as mediocrities. In Wellington's brief administration he finds a good deal to commend, especially the passing of the Police Acts, for which he thinks the credit should be given to the Duke, and not to Sir Robert Peel. To one small matter of Army reform made during Wellington's administration, and one generally overlooked by historians, he attaches great _importance, Until 1827 the men in barracks all over the Empire were huddled by fours in wooden cribs, but un-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.