Punch,  41 (1861), 144.

Regimental Assasins

Anon

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

War, Human Species, Animal Behaviour, Instinct


    Lamenting the fact that 'armies must be in considerable part composed of men of moral worth and intelligence' and that such men should be destroyed by 'beasts', argues that military service 'ought to be penal servitude'. Points out that 'There are, no doubt, numerous unconvicted British scoundrels who would be glad to fight for pay and plunder, and the gratification of their innate ferocity'—a pointed remark in the context of the contemporary debate over the behaviour of gorillas. Proceeds to discuss the possibility of building the British Army using those men who are 'now murdering the Americans and one another'.



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