Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 7.djvu/76

 32 THE WINTER TKOUBLES. CHAP, too ofteu a short leave of absence, even when _J:^ health and life were at stake — by turning a deaf ear to their painful appeals — and, tinally, by resenting, or seeming to resent their com- plaints, — it brought down these good public servants to a habit of mute, soldierly resigna- tion, which, because carrying with it a tendency to endure the most terrible evils instead of struggling fiercely against them, was destined to prove but too baneful under the trials of war. And again, as concerned all the functionaries empowered to expend public moneys for the medical wants of our army, they had been so constantly, so rigidly schooled by a straitening system of audit as to become cramped by long habit, and incapable of launching out sudden- ly into free, unrestrained expenditure.(^*) The effect of this cramp on his soul was frankly con- fessed by the Director- General when he said it took him five months to make himself believe that he was really, really empowered to expend immense sums of money.(^^) This dread of disbursement was destined to prove a grave evil. On the whole, then, we see that the medical officers of our army were able, devoted men, and headed by a sagacious Director -General who showed men what ought to be done ; but the State — cold and frugal in its dealing with this branch of the service — neglected to arm it with power ; and to leave it wanting in power was to foredoom our stricken soldiery. Amongst the many and dispersed offices