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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4462, 8 July 1875, Page 3

The Duke of Cambridge does not seem to be so distressed about the condition and spirit of the British army as some critics who have recently been descanting on that subject. His Royal Highness, in speaking at a public dinner in London lately, expressed the utmost confidence in the warlike capabilities of the army. Although he had been somewhat staggered by some of the statements which had been made, he declared that, having had many opportunities of seeing the troops at Aldershot, he was perfectly prepai'ed to-morrow, at five minutes’ notice, in the case of war, to take command of that force and go anywhere, without seeing any reason why they should not perform those deeds which have made the British Army famous in the annals of the past. In alluding to the service in the army, the noble Duke admitted that the short term introduced had been the means of somewhat altering the character of the recruits procurable ; and he hinted that he would not be displeased if the six-year term of service were extended. Sombody in the Paris Temps praised Andre Chenier, who, of course, was not Victor Hugo, whereupon the Rappel, the organ of the Hugophobists, says :—“Either this man has read the ‘ Chatiments ’ or he has not ; if he has not, what an ignoramus ; if he has, what an idiot.”