THE BRITISH SOLDIER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2210, 4 June 1891, Page 1

THE BRITISH SOLDIER.

With regard to the bravery of Britiak soldiers Lord Welseley writes in the United Semce Magazine;—“ I believe our race to be the bravest on earth, because of that infinite lore of danger which causes us to climb glaciers, ride steeplechases, and go on foot to shoot tigers. 1 hare no doubt in my own mind that our soldiers bare more reckless daring about them than any other nation, which I attribute mainly to their lore of boxing, wrestling and of all other manly games When you take by law the whole of any European nation into the army the average of courage cannot be very high. Ido not enter into the question as to what effect in many generations universal service will have upon the courage of a nation, though I believe it must raise and strengthen it. But in every email army like ‘ours, composed exclusively of volunteers, it is but natural that that the average courage could be much higher, and such, I believe is the case in our army. But still you will soon find, even in the smallest skirmish, of what varied materials your troops and companies are composed. It is then that discipline, love of Queen, and country, and the intense pride of the regiment —pride of the county that regiment represents—upon which we plume ourselves, play prominent parts. The man who wont do and dare for the honor of his regiment is indeed a poorhearted animal, and he is unworthy of associated with gallant men.”