Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/197

Rh militia-recruiting by drawing lots) worked; and he came to the conclusion that, so long as the practice of purchasing substitutes was permitted, the physique of the men suffered. Although the ballot might be a powerful engine for raising the force to the required numerical standard, he argued that the militia must rest either upon a system of voluntary enlistment or upon the ballot pur et simple, without substitutes. Mr. Walpole's Bill was carried; and although the number of the militia still falls considerably short of its established strength, voluntary enlistment has so far succeeded that we now possess a force which is as efficient as a militia can be in time of peace, and which recent reforms have much improved.

To Lord Hardinge belongs the credit of having established the artillery branch of the militia. The Royal Artillerymen of that day threw cold water on the scheme. They contended that, with the limited amount of drill which was inherent in the militia system, it would be impossible to raise the men to the necessary standard of efficiency. Lord Hardinge was firm, and insisted on the experiment being tried. The result has undoubtedly been successful. The officers and men entered upon their new duties with zeal and energy; and we now possess a considerable force of artillerymen in the militia whose services in time of war would be invaluable for coast defence, thereby freeing the Royal Artillery for service in the field.

During the Crimean War the militia was embodied.