essays-1-第69章
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One circumstance； relative to the internal arrangement of this Academy； may； perhaps； be though not unworthy of being particularly mentioned； and that is the very moderate expence at which the institution is maintained。 By a calculation； founded upon the experience of four years； I find that the whole Academy； consisting of 180 pupils； with professors and masters of every kind； servants； clothing； board； lodging； fire…wood； light； repairs； and every other article； house…rent alone excepted； amounts to no more than 28；000 florins a…year； which is no more than 155 florins； or about fourteen pounds sterling a…year for each pupil； a small sum indeed； considering the manner in which they are kept； and the education they receive。
Though this Academy is called a Military Academy； it is by no means confined to the education of those who are destined for the army； but it is rather an establishment of general education； where the youth are instructed in every science； and taught every bodily exercise； and personal accomplishment； which constitute a liberal education； and which fits them equally for the station of a private gentleman；for the study of any of the learned professions；or for any employment； civil or military； under the government。
As this institution is principally designed as a nursery for genius；as a gymnasium for the formation of men；for the formation of REAL MEN； possessed of strength and character； as well as talents and accomplishments； and capable of rendering essential service to the state； at all public examinations of the pupils； the heads of all the pupil departments are invited to be present； in order to witness the progress of the pupils； and to mark those who discover talents peculiarly useful in any particular departments or public employment。
How far the influence of this establishment may extend； time must discover。 It has existed only six years； but even in that short period； we have had several instances of very uncommon talents having been called forth into public view； from the most obscure situations。 I only wish that the institution may be allowed to subsist。
An Account of the Means used to improve the BREED of HORSE； and HORNED CATTLE； in BAVARIA and the PALATINATE。
Through many parts of the Elector's dominions are well adapted for the breeding of fine horses； and great numbers of horses are actually bred＇1＇； yet no great attention had for many years been paid to the improvement of the breed； and most of the horses of distinction； such as were used by the nobility as saddle…horses and coach…horses； were imported from Holstein and Mecklenburg。
Being engaged in the arrangement of a new military system for the country； it occurred to me that； in providing horses for the use of the army； and particularly for the train of artillery； such measures might be adopted as would tend much to improve the breed of horses throughout the country； and my proposals meeting with the approbation of his Most Serene Electoral Highness； the plan was carried into execution in the following manner：
A number of fine mares were purchased with money take from the military chest； and being marked with an M （the initial of
Militaria）； in a circle； upon the left hip； with a hot iron； they were given to such of the peasants； owning or leasing farms proper for breeding good horses； as applied for them。 The conditions upon which these brood mares were given away were as follows：
They were； in the first place； given away gratis； and the person who received one of these mares is allowed to consider her as his own property； and use her in any kind of work he thinks proper； he is； however； obliged not only to keep her； and not to sell her； or give her away； but he is also under obligations to keep her as a brood mare； and to have her regularly covered every season； by a stallion pointed out to him by the commissioners； who are put at the head of this establishment。 If she dies； he must replace her with another brood mare； which must be approved by the commissioners； and then marked。If one of these mares should be found not to bring good colts； or to have any blemish； or essential fault or imperfection； she may be changed for another。
The stallions which are provided for these mares； and which are under the care of the commissioners； are provided gratis； and the foals are the sole property of those who keep the mares； and they may sell them； or dispose of them； when and where； and in any way they may think proper； in the same manner as they dispose of any other foal； brought by any other mare。
In case the army should be obliged to take the field； AND IN NO OTHER CASE WHATEVER； those who are in possession of these mares are obliged either to return them； or to furnish； for the use of the army； another horse fit for the service of the artillery。
The advantages of this arrangement to the army are obvious。 In the case of an emergency； horses are always at hand； and these horses being bought in time of peace cost much less than it would be necessary to pay for them； were they to be purchased in a hurry upon the breaking out of a war； upon which occasions they are always dear； and sometimes not to be had for money。
It may perhaps be objected； that the money being laid out so long before the horses are wanted； the loss of the interest of the purchase…money ought to be taken into account； but as large sums of money must always be kept in readiness in the military chest； to enable the army to take the field suddenly； in case it should be necessary； and as a part of this money must be employed in the purchase of horses； it may as well be laid out beforehand； as to lie dead in the military chest till the horses are actually wanted； consequently the objection is not founded。
I wish I could say； that this measure had been completely successful； but I am obliged to own； that it has not answered my expectations。 Six hundred mares only were at first ordered to be purchased and distributed； but I had hopes of seeing that number augmented soon to as many thousands； and I had even flattered myself with an idea of the possibility of placing in this manner among the peasants； and consequently having constantly in readiness； without any expence； a sufficient number of horses for the whole army； for the cavalry as well as for the artillery and baggage； and I had formed a plan for collecting together and exercising； every year； such of these horses as were destined for the service of the cavalry； and for permitting their riders to go on furlough with their horses： in short； my views went to the forming of an arrangement； very economical； and in many respects similar to that of the ancient feudal military system； but the obstinacy of the peasantry prevented these measures being carried into execution。 Very few of them could be prevailed upon to accept of these horses； and in proportion as the terms upon which they were offered to them were apparently advantageous； their suspicions were increased； and they never would be persuaded that there was not some trick at the bottom of the scheme to over…reach them。
It is possible that their suspicions were not a little increased by the malicious insinuations of persons； who； from motives too obvious to require any explanation； took great pains at that time to render abortive every public undertaking in which I was engaged。 But be that as it may； the fact is； I could never find means to remove these suspicions entirely； and I met with so much difficulty in carrying the measure into execution； that I was induced at last to abandon it； or rather to postpone its execution to a more favourable moment。 Some few mares （two or three hundred） were placed in different parts of the country； and some very fine colts have been produced from them； during the six years that have elapsed since this institution was formed； but these slow advances do not satisfy the ardour of my zeal for improvement； and if means are not found to accelerate them； Bavaria； with all her natural advantages for breeding fine horses； must be obliged； for many years to come； to continue to import horses from foreign countries。
My attempts to improve the breed of horned cattle； though infinitely more co
