Page:Notes on the Anti-Corn Law Struggle.djvu/307

 double member. The impression left by some of Mr. Cobden's letters which have been published, in which the writer gives opinions about the Government of British India, and about the Prussian Government as compared with the English Constitution, is that Mr. Cobden had not studied the subject of the English Constitution, of British India, of Canada, or of the English Colonies, sufficiently to have accurate knowledge on that subject.

Although Mr. Cobden has at once overlooked Bonaparte's true character and overrated his genius, he has shown a tendency to underrate the genius of Wellington, and in fact to run down military talent altogether. The truth is more nearly attained in some remarks of a military friend of mine, who has seen service enough to enable him to say that a man who has been in a battle all the time it lasted knows no more of that battle than a herring does of the North Sea. He says:—

"'You say that Cromwell's genius in war was creative, not strategic. I think that this is well put, and useful, as tending to lead to a reflection which has often occurred to myself, viz., the number of different geniuses (if that is the plural) which a man must have on hand who hopes to be a first-class general. Perhaps professional conceit may have something to do with- it, but I have always thought that, to make a"