"SOLDIERS AND THEIR SCIENCE."

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 272, 29 May 1860, Page 4

"SOLDIERS AND THEIR SCIENCE."

Captain Brabazon's little book appears very opportunely. At a moment when great changes are imminent in the practical application of military science, Captain Brabazon comes forward to enforce the teaching of Napoleon, and draw men from the study of military theories to the study of the facts of military history. The advice of Napoleon was, not that the student should busy himself with the Jominis and Guiberts, but with the Hannibals, Caesars, Frederics, Eugenes. Had he been candid he would have included the name of Marlborougb in the list, for ; np-modern general except himself surpasses Marlborough. While directing attention to the deed 3of great men of the soldier profession, Captain Brabazon looks down upon mere compilations of " maxims and aphorisms," which he smartly says are "useful only to those who know how to neglect them." He despises "■ that elaborate net-work of theories with which certain writers pretend to entangle and cramp all military operations," and he is especially opposed to Jomini, who would reduce the system of war to a simple and exact theory- The thing is impossible, and the wonder is that any man, who had seen, as Jomini had, how imperiously circumstances influence military operations, should have conceived such an idea.

Captain Brabazon follows a different method. He.directs attention to the campaigns of great corninaudei'Sj shows the ups and downs of military science, and thus teaches us where to find for ourselves examples of the principles of war modified and controlled by contact with circumstance and necessity. For there are principles, maxims, and aphorisms of war, and no sensible soldier will despise them. But the soldier must be their master if he would be successful. The devotee of theory disarms himself. He is the military doctrinaire. Like the King of Spain he would be annihilated rather than infringe or modify a rule. A great commander is not so complaisant. Rules, he sayf, are made for him, not he for the rules. Therefore he disregards, modifies, or acts in accordance with rules as his judgment directs. The time, the means at his command, the numbers and quality sof his troopi as compared with the enemy, the character of his opponent, the questions of subsistence, all these things enter into his calculations, and guide him io the application of his rules. What would be perfectly safe in the presence of some generals would be ruin in the presence of otners. The finest illustration of a mastery over military science is to be fouud in the history of its most brilliant application—the Italian campaigns of Bonaparte ; aud the finest illustration of the mastery of theoretical scienoe over its devoted professors is to be found in the acts of his opponents. The splendid paper manoeuvre of the Austrians on the Minoio in June last is another instance of the folly of purely scientific plans, conceived and executed on a baais of conjecture. .

It is as if some chessplayer were to lay a snare for ah adversary on the supposition that he would make certain moves. He makes moves overlooked by the antagonist, and that worthy is beaten. There are rules for playing the game of ohess, but he would be a bold man who should say that it was an exact science. Indeed, if warfare be a science at all, it is a very mixed one.

The object of studying the. campaigns of great captains is, that the student may imbibe something of their fertility of resource, boldness of invention, foresight, energy of application, care in the management of troops, unwearied industry, close attention to detail, and comprehensive grasp of the whole. He is to learn what men have done, how they did it, under what circumstances, with what land of troops, opposed to whom; and he is to learn these things, not that he may imitate a particular method, but that he may catch the spirit of the master, and learn how wide are the limita pf the possible.

Captain Brabazon, in sketching the history of war in little, and dwelling upon the characteristics of the most conspicuous soldiers, has produced a book which may serve as a guide to the young soldier, and teach him where to look for the best kind of professional knowledge. Nor the soldier alone. . Stripped of technicalities, written with spirit' and modesty, and a generous appreciation of excellence, this book ought in these days to be popular with civilians, especially our civil soldiers.: Military men, nay, " military authorities," will find some of the daring assertions of the writer worthy etfen of their attention, especially as Captain Brabazon includes under the term 3, " military science" "all that contributes to the success and well bejng of armies." The last chapter of the book, treating of the great military questions of our day,—the influence of the rifled musket arid rifled cannon on operations and fortification, and on the strength of nations,—contains a store of suggestive comment which should be weighed by the Btatesman as well as the soldier.

(From the F-xeter. Times.)