256 THE WINTER TROUBLES. CHAP. Thus the intercourse between the Minister ^' and the General, as carried on by the pen, came to be on so good a footing that, without let or awkwardness, the one who had to give orders could also ask for guidance ; whilst the one who had to obey could always tender coun- sel with the certainty that it would be received with a welcome. The Duke of Newcastle had the merit of being more accessible than Lord Eaglan to new ideas, and to the value of those rough -hewn expedients which are of infinite value to a nation when seeking to enter upon war with a small and cramped peace-establish- ment ; but in forethought — one of the faculties believed in those days to have been grievously wanting — the General excelled the Minister.(3^) From the enlightening effect of the despatches and letters received from Headquarters, the Duke of Newcastle learned a good deal of the condi- tions surrounding our army, and was thus saved from some of the errors which, amongst our people at home, were then about to be rife. Thus, for instance, he knew that Lord Eaglan — with his troops busied constantly against the enemy — could not command the ' hands ' with which to ' metal ' a road from Balaclava up into camp ; and, instead of complaining that the soldier, whilst already forced to do the work of three men had not been made to do the work of six, he laid his own shoulder to the wheel, and with excellent promptitude initiated the construction of a tramway, with carriages propelled by steam -power. (3^) He also took
