Page:Passages from the Life of a Philosopher.djvu/191

Rh ,' to act. This is probable, as being like his cautious way, but, to my thinking, not well in this case."

The matter referred to arose thus. Several years ago a troop-ship, named the "Birkenhead," was wrecked on the African coast, near the Cape of Good Hope. A very small portion only of the troops were saved. According to the testimony of the survivors, the discipline and order which prevailed on board up to the final catastrophe was admirable, and almost beyond example. If any human means could have saved those invaluable lives, such discipline would have largely contributed to the result.

Sharing the general regret at this severe loss, and sympathising deeply with the feelings of the surviving relatives, it occurred to me that very simple and inexpensive means were available, which if employed, would at the least afford a melancholy consolation to the afflicted relatives, might be retained with becoming pride in their families, and would also add to the respectability of the social position of the soldier.

Observing that military offences punished by a court-martial were made public by being read at the head of every regiment, I suggested that in certain cases publicity should be given by the same means to noble acts of forbearance or of self-devotion.

In the case of the "Birkenhead," in which ship small detachments of several regiments were lost, I suggested that an order should be issued, stating—

The circumstances under which the loss occurred, and the nation's approbation of the conduct of the departed.

That their names should be read at the head of their respective regiments.

That an official letter, signed by the colonel or other proper