ENGLAND possesses two military educational institutions: the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. which is set apart for Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery cadets; and the Royal Mili tary College at Sandhurst for cavalry and in fantry cadets. No one is allowed to compete who has not been passed by the Commander-in-Chief, as socially qualified to hold a commission. Both institutions are organized on a military basis, each being governed by a military officer styled Governor and Commandant, appointed by and responsible to the Secretary of State for War• through the Commander-in-Chief. The Governor is assisted by a staff officer, with the title of assistant commandant and secretary, who com mands the cadet company. and takes charge of all records and correspondence. The entrance examinations are conducted under the super vision of the Civil Service Commissioners: and there is also a rigid physical examination. The age of admission is from sixteen to eighteen 'years. successful candidates paying half-yearly fees, the amount of which varies with the status, official or otherwise, of their families. Sons of private gentlemen are required 10 pay £150 each half-year; and sons of admirals or generals L80. If the cadet is the son of an officer below the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the army, or commander in the navy, he pays only £40; and if the son of a deceased officer whose family has been left in poor circumstances, only £20 each half-year is required. Cadet pay at the rate of three shillings per diem is granted by the Gov ernment, which doe_s not nearly suffice to meet. the regular and necessary expenses of the cadet. He is also required to par 1.25 to cover the ex pense of uniform, books, etc.. and to supply himself with all other articles of clothing. etc. The period of instruction covers two years. and is divided into four classes, of which the fourth is the junior. The third and fourth classes are educated together. but on passing out of the third class into the second, the cadets are sepa rated into two divisions, engineers and artillery, where they remain until graduation. Those pass ing out of the third class with the best per centage of marks go to the engineers, and the remainder to the Once the assignment has been made to any. particular division a trans fer is never allowed. The Royal _Unitary College at Sanilluirst is confined to cadets for cavalry and infantry. the entrance examination, fees, academic terms, and cadet pay being similar to the Royal Military Academy. A few cadets are received as Royal cadets. or India cadets, who enter without payment, and receive a small al lowance. They are usually specially favored sons of poor or distinguished officers. or have
served as Court pages. The course of instruction extends over a period of eighteen months. divided into three terms, or classes of six nionths each, known :is junior, intermediate, and senior. The peculiarity of the British method of instruction, compared with that of all other countries, is the brief period of instruction in the schools, and the very exacting competitive standard and examination for admission, which, as well as the expense involved :It 111c very WO set. Iimits the class from which cadets ano drawn.
The .school of :Unitary Enginceriny at Chatham is the school at which young officers appointed from the Poyal .lewlenty receive their practical training. It is a school of applica tion, the graduate cadet remaining two years on probation. after whnli he is assigned to his corps. Officers of other arms receive a short course of instruction in field engineering at the school, as do a proportion of both commissioned officers and men of other arms, and the pioneer sergeants 1,1 infantry regiments.
The Nchool of Gunnery at Shoehltryness is the school of application for artillery and officers. as well as the general training school for officers and men of the Royal .1rtillery. The instruction in ordnance manufacture, laboratory work, chemistry. electricity, and metallurgy. etc., is given at the Artillery College, Woolwich. The Army Mcducal School at Netley, near Southamp ton, is for the instruction of candidates already medically qualified in the duties of military, medical, and surgical work, and the system of military- hygiene. On conclusion of the eonrse, candidates, if successful, are assigned commis sions in the army as vacancies occur. The Staff l'o/hac at CamberlY. near S'andinir`l• receives limited number of officers each year, for advanced and special work in the study of modern lan guages, fortification, and artillery. grand tactics. staff duties. military administration. topography, law and equitation. _Admission is obtained by competitive examination. candidates being re quired 1.0 hare served at least five years, hold at least captain's rank. or have passed the ex amination for that rank, and be recommended by their commanding officers as qualified physi ea I ly, c-duemlonan•. t emperamentally. techni cally, and to he of good personal habits. They must be under thirty•seven years of age. On passing. graduates are attaelied for a few weeks to each of those branches of the service with which they have had no previous experience or service. 'flue Sehool of 1!uskrtrt (llythc) is to the infantry. cavalry, and engineer. what Shoe buryness is to the artillery. For school; fur rank and file. see ARMY SCHOOLS.