But what has been the result? There have been fewer cases of bad navigation since the old Navigating Class was done away with than in the whole history of the Navy! And with this immense gain--that the knowledge of navigation is now widely diffused through the Fleet. One can suppose cases where it would be of the utmost value to us were engineering knowledge and the handling of mechanical appliances more widely diffused amongst our Officers! But that is not _the vital point_! _The vital point_ is that were a Midshipman to be continuously serving in the engine-room of Destroyers and larger vessels (continuously under weigh) at high speeds, he would get a training assimilating in its nature to that marvellous training of the old sailing days, which kept the wits of Officer of the Watch in the utmost state of tension, and produced the splendid specimens of readiness and resource which we read of in the sea Officers of Nelson’s time and later! TRAINING OF BOYS: No masts and sails--Gymnasium--Rifle and gun practice--Boat sailing--Little or no school. (No Binomial Theorem)--Destroyer work for sea-sickness--Sent straight from training-ships to hot foreign stations on the hot-house principle before bedding-out--Select from the very beginning the good shots and the smart signalmen and train them specially. TRAINING OF THE MEN: Re-model instruction in Gunnery and Torpedo Schools--“Corps d’Elite” of three classes of (1) gun firers or “Marksmen”; (2) gun loaders; (3) gun manipulators--From the time the boy enters the Navy in the training-ship till he gets his pension, the sole object to be to select, train, and improve and retain “the good shot,” and all training subordinated to this! TRAINING OF OFFICERS: Return to early entry at 12 years of age--A much lower standard of entrance, educational examination, and a high standard of physical entrance examination--Colloquial French obligatory, no grammar, and no other language, dead or alive!--A combined course of “Britannia” and “Keyham” Colleges with at least two years of engine-room and shop work and Destroyer practice. These great changes are not fanciful ideas! The stubborn fact that we cannot provide what is required on the present system forces the change both as regards Officers as well as Men and Boys. NAVAL OFFICERS’ TRAINING. _Some Opinions on the Admiralty Scheme_ (1902). 1. ADMIRAL LORD CHARLES BERESFORD. In 1902 Lord Charles Beresford, in an interview on the then recent Admiralty memorandum on the subject of the entry, training, and employment of officers and men of the Royal Navy, said:--