Sir Robert Harris was thus, as he remarks in a letter to the present writer, "the initial cause of the _Britannia_ system"; for had he proved to be a failure nothing more would have been heard of the scheme, certainly for many years. As a matter of fact, he must have afforded in his own person convincing evidence of the value of the proposed system; for it was only six weeks after the expiration of his twelve months' training that a circular was issued from the Admiralty, inaugurating an entirely new _régime_ for the education and examination of young naval officers, and including a period of compulsory training in a stationary ship prior to being sent to sea. The story of the _Britannia_, strictly speaking, commences thus on January 10th, 1856; the Admiralty circular, however, was dated February 23rd, 1857. Before proceeding to deal with the development of the new scheme, it will be convenient to complete our sketch of the career of Captain Harris in general terms, though it may be necessary to refer to him again later on. His command of the two ships--the _Illustrious_ up to January 1st, 1859, when he was transferred to the _Britannia_--extended, as has been stated, over eight years, terminating in October, 1862, when he was superseded. During this long period there is abundant evidence that he rendered most important services to the Navy, and, like many other good men, he suffered in a certain degree through the very fact of his efficiency. He was debarred from the advantages accruing to services at sea, and from obtaining subsequently a more important harbour command, such as the _Excellent_, for which, as an able gunnery officer, he was certainly eligible. The high esteem in which Captain Harris was held by well-known officers of superior rank and the excellent results of his able management of the cadets' training ship are testified by numerous communications from such men as Admirals Sir W. F. Martin, Sir Thomas Hastings, Sir Sydney Dacres, Sir John Erskine, Sir Richard Smart, and others; while his contemporaries, in command of sea-going ships, are unanimous in their praise of the qualifications and conduct of the youngsters sent to sea in the early days of the _Illustrious_ and _Britannia_. Sir Charles Wood, then First Lord of the Admiralty, writing on July 17th, 1857, when the new circular was about to come into force, says:-- I believe that, with the staff you will have, we shall commence the work with as good a prospect of success as can be ensured, by putting it in the best hands. And writing again on April 21st, 1858:-- I am very glad to hear so promising an account of the first trial, and I may add success, of your education on board the _Illustrious_. I hope that the present Board will carry out the work in the same spirit in which it was conceived; and I am well aware that they could not have so able an instrument as yourself in the very responsible position which you occupy.