When a warlike expedition had been decided upon, the Master of the Ordnance was informed what size of a train of Artillery was required; but he was permitted to increase or decrease its internal proportions as he thought fit. To him also was left the appointment of all the officers and attendants of the train; and, with the exception of any belonging to the small permanent establishment, it was understood that the services of any so appointed were only required while the expedition lasted. This spasmodic method of organizing the Artillery forces of this country was sufficient to account for the want of progress in the science of gunnery, and the equipments of our trains, which is apparent until we reach the commencement of the eighteenth century. But it took centuries of stagnation, and of bitter and shameful experience, to teach the lesson that Artillery is a science which requires incessant study, that such study cannot be expected unless from men who can regard their profession as a permanent one, and the study as a means to an end; and that, even admitting the possibility of such study being carried on by men in the hope of occasional employment, it would be too theoretical, unless means of practice and testing were afforded, beyond the power of a private individual to obtain. Nor could habits of discipline be generated by occasional military expeditions, which, to an untrained man, are more likely to bring demoralization; it is during peace-service that the discipline is learnt which is to steady a man in the excitement and hardships of war. As samples of the trains of Artillery before the Restoration, the following, of various dates, may be taken: and an examination of the constituent parts will well repay the reader. The first is a train in the year 1544, already alluded to, and which was commanded by the Master of the Ordnance himself, Sir Thomas Seymour. 1. TRAIN OF ARTILLERY _ordered on Service in 1544_. Pay per diem. £ _s._ _d._ Sir Thomas Seymour, Master of the Ordnance 1 6 8 Sir Thomas Seymour, Conduct money at 4_d._ a mile. Sir Thomas Seymour, Coat money for 20 servants at 4_d._ each. A horse-tent. Sir Thomas Darcie, Master of the Armoury 1 0 0 Sir Christopher Morris, Lieutenant of the Ordnance 0 10 0 A clerk for him, Robert Morgan 0 2 0 6 servants, each 0 0 6 Burnardyne de Vallowayes } Master-Gunners, each 0 4 0 John Bassett } Master-Gunners, each 209 Gunners, each 0 0 7 157 Artificers, each 0 0 8 Chief conductor of the train 0 6 0