66

Parliamentary Report on Military Punishments," 1837.
"Parliamentary Report on the Civil Administration of the
Army," 1837.

66

66

66

66

66

Parliamentary Reports on Military and Naval Pro-
motions," 1840.

Parliamentary Report on Military Promotions," 1854.
Army Estimates" for 1854.

Army List," October 1854.

Queen's Regulations for the Army," 1844.
Royal Warrant," 1848.

Mutiny and Military Acts. Articles of War," 1854.
"Statutes relating to the Militia."

"Law Reports."

P.S. Since the first part of this work was in
in print, the Militia have not only been embodied,
but also have been mobilized by the Militia Foreign
Service Bill. The remarks of the Author respect-
ing the Militia, in the "Description of the British
Military," must be regarded as modified by the
above circumstances. Under the present Adminis-
tration, the Office of Secretary-at-War has not been
filled up; but as most of the powers of that officer
are Parliamentary, and not the creation of prero-
gative, the description of them contained in this
volume will be correct, until they are altered by Act
of Parliament.

H. BYERLEY THOMSON.

TEMPLE, Feb. 20th, 1855.

I. The Nature of Military Law

II. Rise and Progress of the Military System in

PREFACE.

In the present work, the Author has made it his object to present a comprehensive and accurate, though necessarily general, account of all matters relating to the Military and Civil Constitution, Administration and Government of the Military Services of Great Britain; and also of the Laws relating to the Army, the Marines, the Militia, and the various corps of Volunteers. His aim has been, also, to perform this task in such a manner as to render the book interesting to the general reader, as well as useful to the military officer.

More than thirty years ago, an intelligent officer* of the Artillery of France produced the first work, and up to the present time the only one, descriptive of the Military Forces of Great Britain; then holding, by right of their recent victories in the

* M. le Baron Charles Dupin.

b

Peninsula and at Waterloo, the highest position as an Army. The book of M. Dupin was remarkable for its accurate and extensive knowledge. It was essentially a military work, as it described only the military characteristics of the British Army, and entered into discussions of a nature purely technical, with respect to its machinery, effectiveness, and moral force. This book was produced in a period of profound peace, and yet met with a favourable reception both in France and England.

The war against Russia, and the glorious achievements and the unfortunate condition of the British Army in the Crimea, have created in the public mind an active and living interest in the military service. The present therefore, appears to be a fitting moment to offer to the public a full yet concise account of the Organization, Administration, Government, and Laws of the Military Forces and Institutions of Great Britain.

Much has been said and written on these subjects during the past session, both in Parliament and in the public journals; yet it is impossible not to arrive at the conclusion that very little is known to