The same idea is now infused into all the departments of military and naval science, and is a _necessary_ result of the recent great improvements in the construction of arms.

In short, the truth has at last become apparent that the old-fashioned system of random firing, though perhaps like the 'charge of the six hundred' at Balaklava, 'bien magnifique, _n'est pas la guerre_.'" "It is of the utmost importance that we should apply this principle to the management of our sea-coast batteries, and give it a practical effect.

The _volunteers_ of our cities will constitute _mainly_, in time of war, the gunners of our forts and manipulators of our sea-coast guns.

In time of war, they will probably be exercised in these duties.
But it is most desirable that we should have at _all times_ a body of gunners, practised in these exercises.

The result would be, not only to give to our _citizens_, as well as citizen-soldiers, confidence in the defences provided for their security, but it would disseminate military knowledge, and an intelligent idea of the bearing and objects of the different defensive works.