f, on
the 9th of November 1862 field marshal, and by letters patent, 1887,
commander-in-chief. The long period during which he held the command of
the army was marked by many changes. The Crimean War brought to light
great administrative defects, and led to a regrouping of the
departments, which, with the whole personnel of the army, were brought
under the authority of the secretary of state for war. The
constitutional changes involved did not, however, affect seriously the
organization of the military forces. Only in 1870, after the successes
of Prussia had created a profound impression, were drastic changes
introduced by Cardwell into the entire fabric of the army. The objects
of the reformers of 1870 were undoubtedly wise; but some of the methods
adopted were open to question, and were strongly resented by the duke of
Cambridge, whose views were shared by the majority of officers. Further
changes were inaugurated in 1880, and again the duke found much to
criticize. His opinions stand recorded in the voluminous evidence taken
by the numerous bodies appointed to inquire into the condition of the
army. They show a sound military judgment, and, as against innovations
as such, a strong attachment to the old regimental system. That this
judgment and this attachment were not so rigid as was generally supposed
is proved by his published correspondence. Throughout the period of
change, while protesting, the duke invariably accepted and loyally
endeavoured to carry out the measures on which the government decided.
In a memorandum addressed to Mr Childers in 1880 he defined his attitude
as follows:--"Should it appear, however, that for reasons of state
policy it is necessary that the contemplated changes should be made, I
am prepared to carry them out to the best of my ability." This attitude
he consistently maintained in all cases in which his training and
associations led him, rightly or wrongly, to deprecate changes the need
for which was not apparent to him. His judgment was especially
vindicated in the case of an ill-advised reduction of the artillery
carried out by Mr. Stanhope. Under the order in council of February
1888, the whole responsibility for military duties of every kind was for
the first time centred upon the commander-in-chief. This, as pointed out
by the Hartington commission in 1890, involved "an excessive
centralization" which "must necessarily tend to weaken the sense of
responsibility of the other heads of