sitting at the war office and Horse Guards respectively. In 1870 these two were welded into one, and the war office now existing was constituted. Corresponding improvements were effected in every branch. The system of clothing the soldiers was altered, the contracts being taken from the colonels of regiments, who received a money allowance instead, and the clothing supplied from government manufactories. The pay, food and general condition of the soldier were improved; reading and recreation rooms, libraries, gymnasia and facilities for games of all kinds being provided. Barracks (q.v.) were built on improved principles, and a large permanent camp was formed at Aldershot, where considerable forces were collected and manoeuvred together. Various educational establishments were opened, a staff college was established for the instruction of officers wishing to qualify for the staff, and regimental schools were improved. 68. The Indian Mutiny of 1857, followed by the transference of the government of India, led to important changes. The East India Company's white troops were amalgamated with the Queen's army, and the whole reorganized (see _Indian Army_ below). The fact that such difficulties as those of 1854 and 1857, not to speak of the disorders of 1848, had been surmounted by the weak army which remained over from the reductions of forty years, coupled with the instantaneous and effective rejoinder to the threats of the French colonels in 1859--the creation of the Volunteer Force--certainly lulled the nation and its representatives into a false sense of security. Thus the two obvious lessons of the German successes of 1866 and 1870--the power of a national army for offensive invasion, and the rapidity with which such an army when thoroughly organized could be moved--created the greatest sensation in England. The year 1870 is, therefore, of prime importance in the history of the regular forces of the crown. The strength of the home forces at different times between 1815 and 1870 is given as follows (Biddulph, _Lord Cardwell at the War Office_):-- +------+-----------------+--------------+-------------+ | | Regulars. | Auxiliaries. | Field Guns. | +------+-----------------+--------------+-------------+ | 1820 | 64,426 | 60,740 | 22 | | 1830 | 50,876 | 34,614 | 30 | | 1840 | 53,379 | 20,791 | 30 | | 1850 | 68,538 | 29,868 | 70 | | 1860 | 100,701 | 229,301 | 180 | | 1870 | 89,051 | 281,692 | 180 | | | (later 109,000) | | | +------+-----------------+--------------+-------------+