The Express.
London, England, 1860-07-24 00:00:00

.
mint

conetitutes eatioual wealth—aye, and • proportion of our
notions' fool--upon a free communiattion by sea. We ilia-
port assoally about In millions of quarters of grain. Our
importation of cafes, sugar, tea, mod cotton, which is next
to vein, for the support of our people ambling them to
earn their fond, though not food in itself, to enernious.
(Hear, hear.) thar wealth depends epos tit; impostation of
our manufacturea, and whet we le e ahae a in tie
way of aeosseerise. bat mar amen& to somildins.
ably more than 140milliseis sew fora no-
rnent Liverpool, Briatol, Loam, and blockaded
by hostile forme Picture to yorassives what would become
e 1 the indiratry, the wealth of the oromitry—to say nothisg
of the power which a Natio* able to engage you would
have of bringing number' of troop& aim to attack you. I
ear that is a result which it is inspomilile to contemplate
diout fear, alarm, and horror, and a mutt which uu go-
% el noout and no nation ought, by ita osgiect soil smithy,
to ',oiler posaible. (('holera) Some gentlemen think that
we isre keeping up excessive military establishmeuta ; but
they are far lielow what might be brought against us. If
lotelon were iu danger, what you would west would be to
tight mo , two, or it might be three battles—l have no
Joint the find would be eufficient—(sheen}—but to fight a
battle with the greatest possible amount of military force
ogainet the forces that might be brought to attack you.
Hut for that purpose, in order to have the largest possible
woman of military force to meet an enemy in the
held, you mint make such arrangemeate that
you need have the smallest &unmet pomade of
military force to defend those important positions,
your dockyards and anneals. If there are no mammal
defences, and you axe obliged to keep at such places • force
sufficient to meet in the field the forces that might be
bright in army against you, it is obvious that to
scatter year small amount of military means that yew
would probably not be able to concentrate for the defames?
of London that amount of forte that would be seceesery to
meet an invading army. Therefore it is most important to
have fortificatioca for your dockyards, the effect of which
would he to equalise, by artificial means, for the purpose of
revastanin, & smaller tome within and • larger force with-
out ; so that those fortifications of your dockyards are, is
fact, the means of defence for London, rendering unmet's-
wiry the coneeutration of a large force for the defence of
those arsenals, and leaving • larger force for the defence
44 London by operations in the field. (Hear, hear.)
That is an answer to those who say that it is
all very well to defend Sheerness or Plymouth, bet
why leave Loudon undefended! My answer to that is,
that ditches, and walls. and bastions are not applicable to
the defence of a vast city like London, surrouMe.l as it is
lap suburbs equally pipulous with some large towns in the
interior. The real awl only defence of Londee is ea easy
in the field ; and those are the only means which will enable
von to make that army as large sod effective sa possible.
1 say the; nos proposal is directly ouleerrient to the defence
of the capital itself. (Hear, haw.) Then we are told that
we ought not to confine our arrangements to our dockyards
alone-41,d there are other points mom important- Liver-
pool, • great and wealthy city, Bristol, Newcastle, and
other places. My answer to those who make that obeares•
Coe is that we hare not neglected those other points. The
defences necessary for those groat commercial towns
nerd not be of the suave kind and Ammeter as those
required for the dockyards. Those towns partake in aped
degree of the nature of London —that is to say, they cantatas
mat population. for the supply of whisk it would be (11111-
cult to provide if they were surronaded by walled Melo-
sures ; and their suburbs cover • viii space, exte—asilag far
beyond what might be canal the town. a'os coald net
have there fortiaticeis with open Peaces beyond them free
from houses ; and therefore to defent those homes
_by lend
*uremia forme brought against them by land would be as
difficult as to procure the same means of defence for Loos
don. (Hear, hear.) Those towns, besides, are tint likely to
lo attacked by an army landed for the purpose of invasion.
What general skilled in military openitoos would think of
eliding a large force to Liverpool, for Matinee—even with
the certainty of gaining powaseiou of it! The
taking of Liverpool would create a great deal of
alarm and injury to the distriet surrounding it ;
hot it would not have the same effect on the
existence of the country as the capture of London
W,llll/1. Therefore it is clear that an enemy who wanted
to strike a blow would go at once to the heart of the coun-
ty to Lotelon—sod not lose time by an attack of that
sort on the extremities. (Hear, hear.) Bat we have tame
meaeuree to protect, not only Liverpool and Bristol, but
...versa other important oomniereal porta, from the may
mush to which they are liable, the attack of small squa-
drons for the purpose of levying contributions without say
large force beiog landed ; and that pestered's would be
given either by perriument batteries or by lead-weeks,whieb
II') doubt will be amply provided by muse other then those
we are new con.idenng. In the plan we propene we an ex-
actly following the reeommendstiose of the military cow
111111116011 suit strengthening our defensive works at the points
which they have Milicated. Many gentlemen think that the
sum oitimated by the commissioner, is excessive for the
(•• Hear, hear," fo,m Mr. Bright.) We sea only
juil,:e of these things by comperion ; and if we find that
other countries have spent sums of conespooding mann
for purpose.; wanting them not perhaps so urgently
WI we do, it may he thought that the estimate now pre-
sented is not net of pri to the object to be attained.
I lave inquired what other oimetrias have done in this way.
I should say, in the first Once, that that portiosi of the esti-
mate of the nenniarioners which ap es to what they ca al
lineaments and Sontag ex i
is, to guns and-ibat-
g latterion—esiosiste of expresso whisk would properly
...we out of the annual votes. la the course of four years it
is to be expected that artillery aweigh, la the ordinary
....use of things, would be provided for the works hem pro-
pool ; and it is not necemery, therefore, to include these
1' riteles in the sum which I propose to raise foe this purpose.
( Hem.) We are of opinion, that imaged of the I I millions
additional, the total estimate of the comioiesionms, nine
11111110 O• 11/041111 be sollidest for all the purposes that we
rionemplaus at this time. Mid it is to he remembered that
that sum, 1,14.13,0001. is included for the purchase of
I del, part of which would be required to be covered with
ear'oi, but a comoderable portion of which would be avail-
Ode for other purresee. I mean for lettiag, as an to produce
ono,. sort &usual retain for the many laid oat. That
would mane the actual 1111111 for works to 7,154,010. Now,
what ha. Fresno dome is regard to defence'? nonce is not
couutry so likely to be leveled, or requiring so much de-
(owe, as England ; He only accessible frontier lies through
:oleo reliant! on one side, sod Belgium on the other ; because
au attn. k epos Prune by the Alps, or from Spain soil the
lorreisees, is now oat of the question. (Hear, hear.) But in
1441 the French Amsenitily voted 13.2vonur. tor works,
of which the fortifications of Paris &lose cost
ritklaertrol. (Hear, hear.) And that I am told was not
thee by contract to he paid a the usual way ; hut the work-
men employed were soadiers, who prolablv received ally
the pay due to them in that overfly. Well, Cherbourg
has oat, free, first to last, 1t,e12,000/ (Hear, bear.)
trains am feels that the pest isitprtierisent is 016000, the
greeter range of mingles, has remlered both Cherbourg and
less wore front attack at sea Ulllll May were before.
(lime, hear.) Farther works at Cherbourg are goiag on
which I have included in that eight millions ; but at Toulon
other 1114 ke an in pragreu which will cast 475,0001 In
the Netherlands, at the cud of the war, it was deemed right
improve aud caked the works on the frostier, and sow
f.emisur part of Belgium ; and there was spent on these
fortresses. 6,41.10,01 tiff. There was no land to pooches.;
a oche already mediae merely hod to be improved; and lees
to be dour, comparatively speaking, than we have
t, do in the works reopened. Bet bow are the German*
id u regunl to Melon., works! Why, the fortresses of
('.,bents, of Ulm, and of Failstadt have 'cost three
radians@ sterling- necessary and important for them no
doubt those fortresses are ; Peen, Theiroptadt, and another
Name, not yet finished, will cost 2,atftoUol. The works
.4 Alexandria, is Italy, have oiet Dearly 7 millions of francs.
Rorie has laid out ea her (intuit:eines. 7,z5.-...0my., of which
ta., millions belonged to ('ronetadt. My bon. awl pliant
trawl (sir Napier) will tell us Low effective those (nit'.
ti, doitis have been ; for though be lonibardol !eweetrwg
.1.• I destroyed it, nose of oar naval officer., gallant s. they
were, and strung m were their fleets, were able be
nose so user Cranston a. to hare any chance
sionsufully attacking it. (Heir, hear.) But Rue-
sin is not inactive now. During the whole of
this winter most energetic means hare been taken
still further to -drengtheu that fortress. Two thousand carts
lave been employed all the winter through in conveying
over the ice immense IR./IMM of stunt, in blocks of 24 feet
square, and placing them upon the ire, so that they may
rink whet' the thaw come., and make the barrier more
ffoctual to Croastadt on the northern come f ear, then,
when every other country is alive i/1 the pmeibility of at-
tan, and is laying out immense sane in its defence, it really
would he criminal in this country to neglect doing some-
thing of the same kind, for the purpose ilefensliug thous
Iniportent positions no our coast. (Hear, hear.) I have so
..mita that if these cocks are completed, a, l trust they will
lir, is a oomparatively short epees of time, they will put ns
in a paition of comparative safety. The dvetinies of noikees
a„• in the hands of a higher power ; hut it is the duty of
11411 to do all that he reasonably can to realise the designs
.1 that power. When theme works are finished we may say,
" Be gracious heaven ;
For man, laborious man. has ilooe his part."
(War ) We shall have done everything that humanly lies
in //Of tower to motet ourselves soaipe6 invaders (Hear.)
believe that we elimild resist :my invader who should some
ore, our shores, that the Ftritub nation are, as they always
have las n, s-alable of any exertion that nay be re-
quired of then,. (Near, hoar.) At the hegiuning of the
ea.uniption of the could ~rt of the late war see 15aa1470,000
volutiteers, we have now 1:10,41111, but if there was any im-
minency of danger I have no doubt that the number would
he manifold greater time it is MM. (Hear, hear.) I
believe we should show that we have that wicon-
querable will mid coursge °ever to. submit or yield,
and what is else, out hi he (Cheers.) But
with all that it would be done; iiquidiee to the
c,mutry, if the goverumeut haying this report before them,
ka,,wing our dander ILIA liabilities, and karma( the looses
F. to,,,y,de against them, failed to call even the 111.11a1C to
give them the means of providing those defences whieh were
eie.idered to' be necessary. (Hoc, hear.) 1.
I 1
0 say that
any goveroment would be betraying its duty. would Ise
gullty of a high crime and rumlemeanour, cud would lie/
...rve, I say it in sober sadness and weriouirove, the peualty
of impeachment if it neglected so to call upon the House of
'moron.. ; and that any House of ('amnions to whom that
&pied was mate, and who did not respond to the feeling
of the country, but turned to it a deaf ear. would
not deserve the confidence of the country. (Cheer..)
I now h..- to submit the terms of the reeolutiou with
I shall cowhide .—" That it is the cpision 11 thin committee
that towards icorkling for the construction of works for the

defence of the roval dockyards and arsenal of ports of
Dover and Porteinouth and the creation et • c .al arsenal,
a sum of money not exceeding 2,1700,01t." 4 6 the seer
ear—" set apart for the works of the be
'
charged upon the ootailidated fusy( •
and that the commissioners of her Ma . %rotary
authorised and empowered to raise the sum by annui-
ties for • term not exceeding 30 years, such annuities to be
also to the consolidated fund." The come
ecirtiarcied we propose to take is this—we do not
ask the house to vote at once the 9.000,0001.,
which we think necessary for the completion of the works.
The works must necessarily be spread over three or four
years, and we think that 2,000,000 t are am much as eau be
advantageously expended between the present time and this
time twelve months. We have therefore limited the prs
sent demand to that amount, reserving it to ourselves, if we
should be in office, or to those who may mooned us, to
apOy to rarlianteut for such soccemive portions of the
KOik,oobl/. as may be found necessary in the mule of each
soocemive year. There will be an account laid before par-
liament each year of the appropriatioa of the money so
voted. I propose to bring in • bill, which will
be an appropriation act, for the purpose, by
which the money so raised shall be put into •
separate account, to be kept separate from the amount of
the ordinary revenue of the country ; that the money shall
be strictly applicable to this purpoee, and to no other ; and
that an annual account shall be laid before parliament for
each instalment. (Hear, hear.) I do not pretend to 'ay
exactly what may be the, annuatinteseet payable en these
9,000,0001. ; that will depend upon the mature of the
marbet. But it happens that there are terminable an-
nuities which were raised for a period of 44 years in the
year Del, which will expire in 1867. They involve
am annual payment of 580,0001. It is quite clear,
whatever may be the rate of interest at which
these terminable annuities may be disposed of,
that the aggregate charge will fall far short of
810,0001. so the only additional charge, beyond that now
Mewed: which will arise from this meseare, will be limited
M the peeled of time between this and the year INT. In
Mg then terminable ammitke will drop in, and frees that
pads& te the end of the thirty years the money at present
appemprlaind to the payment of these annuities will in part
tie chewable with the interest of the money now raised. I
think that the course we have proposed is one which, whilst
en the one band it provides adequately for the defence el
the important positions of the country, involves on the
ether hand se small • charge as possible on the country.
The 2,000,000/. which we propose to raise a
the t year will apply more or less to all
the dlferwt places which are pointed out in the report
ot the conimssiooina It is obvious that it will not be son
cient to undertake all the works ; but, as all are not to be
undertaken at noes, we think that 2,0:10,000f. will be suffi-
cient for the purpose A schedule will be laid before par-
liament which will show in what proportion that 2,000,0001.
will he divided between these different places. I hope the
committee will be disposed, notwithstanding the intimation
of tic hon. member for Birmingham, to agree to this pro-
position tonight. There will be ample opportunity, on
killing in the bill and on subsequent ortaisiona, for die.
at length the whole matter. The session is now
far aCnnoed, and this matter is so important that
parliamentary authority should be given to the
t as soon possible. (Haar, bear.)
irthilirt im es
am, time we do not wish to deprive any member
the hones of • proper opportunity of discussing a measure
whisk naturally calls for discussion, and the important, of
which cannot be overrated, but 1 hope the committee will
awes to the resolution this evening. (Loud cheers.)
The question having been put,

Mr. HUBBARD tit that if it was necemary to raise this
amount of money it mut desirable that it should not be reamed
by terminable annuities. (Hear.) It would be impcmible
to borrow money on such security without a merilice
of between five and ten per oent. By borrowing the money
in this way they would receive 1,00%000i. lees eat of the
10,000,00 M. or 12,000,000 f. proposed to be misted. The
analogy of the landlord who borrowed money did not hold,
became the landlord paid the capital borrowed and the inte-
rest in a certain number of yearn. It might be an excellent
plan to lay the burden on one generation of 30 years, but it
implied that they dared not trust the How of Commons
and the legislature to repay with prudence what the country
pimd year by year. What wag the good of annuities
if they were to be anticipated in this way ? They
ewer could repay the debt if they were to be in the position
of borrowers when these annuities fell in. (Hear.)

. - -
Mr. BRIGHT—I shall not go into the point to which the
hoe, gentleman has referred, nor into the more important
mseetion which he. been laid before us by the noble via-
Gaunt But I arlirtake to state tide, that during the 17
years I have lads neat in this house, I have never known a
question of this magnitude, involving the payment of such
enormous sums of money, to be brought forward without
notice, and to be voted in the same evening. (Hear, hear.)
The noble viscount spoke of from 9,1100,0001. to 12,000,01.101.
It is impassible for any one to read this report end to know
what we know of public works, without coming to the
conclusion that this question involves an expenditure of
at least double the amount. (Hear. hear.) I believe
that, as sure as we commence these works, instead of
12,000,0041. you will spend 24,0110,0001. lam not prepared
to give my seactka--witliout referring to the principle of
the measure at all—to a resolution like that placed on the
table of the lionekthe termed which we have heard for the
first time from the noble viscount, and whisdi involves this
country in such an enormous expenditure. (Hear, hear.)
I will not go into the question whether anything ought to
le done or not. I protest against being entrapped, or Me-
rited, or cajoled into agreeing to a resolution of this kind
without notice. (Hear, hear.) I shall not even say what I
think of the tone and manner of the speech of the noble
lord. He will hear et that on other occasions. I shall con-
tent myself at present with moving that the chairman
report pr cream end ask leave to sit again. (Hear, hear.)
shell divide the home, and if any gentlemea will support
me, the house will have the pleasure of dividing • good
many times spinet the resolution, if pressed to-night.
Mr. S. HERBERT entered into details of the plan of the
fertifications proposed to be erected. At Portsmouth
defences by land would be erected as well as by sec The
defames of the Needles and of the landing places of the
Isle of Wight, and three out of the five of the poiets at
Spithead, would be the first operations. The works at
Gosport would be completed, and it wee proposed to
finish all the defences of Portsmouth at once. At
Plymouth the sea defences would be completed. At Pem-
broke the works would he comparatively small. The
Thames and Medway, and Chatham would be strengthened.
At Dover the present von is would be hastened, and the
mune course would be permed at Portland, although the
latter would not be mode a large naval areenel. At Cork
works would be commenced which would pat the Mebane
hsto a good state of defence. The works proposed to be
eistanseucatl this year would ultimately coat 55000,0001.
••- - -

. .
After some remarks by Otinerel Pert., wbo cousklirred
Use government, whoever they might be, responsible, and
not in a men, nominal sense, for the safety of the country,
Mr. OSBORNE said Lord Palmerston's speech had
opened very alarming considerations, and he objected to
seam to a vote upon this lineation under a sudden Istria
H. recommended that the resolution should be postpooed.
Lad PALMERNTON, remarking that he was convineed
the room the Louse reflected upon the matter the more
ready thee would Le to support the proposal of the govern-
ment, said he was prepared to yield to the request for de-
lay, end moved that the chairmin report progress and sak
leave to sit again on that day week.
After some further conversation, the CHAIIIIAN reported
fees, and the debate was adjourned till the day above.
named.

Upon the order for going into • committee of supply,
hlr. H. SEYBIOUtt moved • resolutiou that the state of
the ecclesiastical law in England *ad Ireland, and of the
courts in which it is adminietered, awl especially the act
commonly called the Clergy Discipline Act, require to be
mewled and reformed; sal teat it is incumbent on the
government to direct measures to be prepared for that pur.
rigb.He rupported hie motion in a speech of considerable
concluding that only two commit were open, either
to oolong the courts, ex proposed in Issl, or, as he MOM-
stossia, to abolish them altogether.

&r G. OBEY eppeeeil the Motion, which was negatived.
CONOLLY nailed attention to the postal arrange-
ments between Dubai and the district lying north.% ad of
Eiontskillee.

The house thee west into ecommittve of rupply npco the
Civil Service Fetinistee.

(hi the rote for public offices cod buildings, the gam of
1,3001., asked for the erection of a building for the recep-
tion of the Wellington ~ar, was objected to Fy Mr. MILD-
NAT and other members, rod was withdrawn from the vote
by Yr. C..wmta.
The other rotes were agreed to without altemtion, bat
sot without much discussion and many °Netter's.
The MAynooth College Hill and the Sheriff Courthouses
(Scotland) Bill inured the committee.
The Heritable Securities, Ice. (Scotland) Bill was read a
third time cud passed.
Other hills were forwarded, the remaining business was
deposed of, and the house adjourned at a quarter pant
3 o'clock.

The Scenery MOUNTED lirrtze. —This corps,
which is Millet the command of (lintels Walter Moller, stet
at their Ilaid.cinarten, Battersea-rise, on Saturday bud, for
marching out, and by kind permission ot Major-Gesend
Sir Richard Decree, commanding at Woolwich, were headed
by the band of the Royal Hone Artillery. The route lay
Armagh (Upham, Brixton, Duleich,Camberwell, Peckham.
and Deptford to Greenwich. Throughout the march the
corps was moat enthuanuitimilly received and touch admired
for their soldierly hearing and fine horses. The uniform
rcsembles very much the Light Cavalry (Hussars.) At
Greenwich the cone dined at the Ship (Quarternmine'e),
Major-General the Right Hon. Sir James Yorke Rowlett in
the chair. Several ladies honoured the corps with their
presence. The gallant general was received with full mili-
tary honours. The ruses and horse. were inspected by him,
ant he was pleased to express his entire satisfaction at their
sops-stance. This corps is about to establish a troop at the
West-end, with • local doll bout
and it is expected by
this means a gnat addition will be made to this fine body of
men.

VoLu !cress Raviews. —lt is announced on autho-
rity tlwt a review of the volunteers of Glourestervhire sad
the nsiritbourin counties win take place in the middle of
Septemlier, on the specious nieedows near Oloutheter. A
review by her Majesty of the Scottish Volunteers at 1141 e.
LimiL Las hews newt for the ieh of August.

Ebe erpreslo.

TO CORRESPONDENT&
Ldeertleements Intended for ...the Repress" London Evening
Pwr, most be et the °nice. 10. Boaterie-sheet, by Two
••dt on the day of yabiltatioa.

II AMUCK=
TEM TER OVIIILAND WATTS Yews. Clappeo-
da* CeiraPton, lad C. Vrm. C. Mathew.
11U3 lICSLLZKCY. . sad Mrs. C. Ilaithews.—Awl THE
10AZDING BCllool.—Commoing• at 7.

.PI,I7fCENWS.

THO VIOMIO, HOME TiVTllB.—The French vaudeville,
BELLITAIRE ET PENSIONNAISJL—BOWLED OUT. Mr. H.
irlddieoeab.—LA CHIME SENSISLL—And AN AMBUSCADE
AT INlCERMANN.—Curatuenee at T.

.1111T4EfU.

Tin lvsinNa, THE BLIGHT AXD Tas BLOOM.—The great
MACK NET will airs Ida resorraol ILSTIETAINIUNT. —RAI-
MINT AND AGONIES; ar, Spada* Nan %lathe Bleeding
Bums —And OLD BOOTY, Till SAX= ON BISHOPSOATL

ZION WATiI AT MOON =mos
Tani DAT —Honda., 6b. Oat . ... Afternoon, at. Ms.
To-molinow—Morning, 66. Ains. ... . Afternoon. 711. Ilso.

LONDON, TUESDAY, JULY 24.

Tim Papa Mumma preached to a congrega-
tion of converts last night when he argued the no- I
oessity for Great Britain, in the present anxious
and uncertain state of Europe, of a system of self-
defence. No one could take exception to Lord
Pamazaarou'a tone when he touched upon the
critical foreign relations of a constitutional govern-
ment with a despotic neighbour, the risks of a
condition of weakness, and the dangers of a
policy of concession. Mr. BERNAL OSBORN'
was hardly justified in characterising the
public feeling to which this language ap-
pealed, and which it must inevitably strengthen,
as " panic." It was nothing more than the bare
truth of what is passing around us at this very
hour, put into general terms, and clothed with a
sense of responsibility. Lord PALMERSTON'S
words would have been equally true, if not equally
urgent, any day these eight or nine years past;
the state of continental politics at the present
moment may seem to emphssise their importance,
but it gives them no new or alarming interpreta-
tion. Even should the contingencies against
which the nation is invited to guard be averted,
history will not fail to do justice to our measures
of prevention. But the moat sounding and
sincere generalisations hi the mouth of a Minister
ought not to persuade us to accept with our eyes
shut propositions founded, it is true, on national
and acknowledged necessities and supported by un-
deniable considerations, but involving, first or last,
changes in our whole military system, we had almost
said in our whole constitutional economy. We
may be ready to adopt Mr. SIDNEY HERBRRT'S
volunteered disclaimer, on the part of Parliament
and the country, of any such popular jealousy of
fortresses and forces as obtained in Mr. Prrr's days.
But it is ono thing to feel that the liberties of
the people are out of reach of harm, and another
to accept without hesitation a scheme of defence
which, in the recorded opinion of a committee
sitting at the Horse Guards, will require a large
increase of the regular army, though the commit-
tee take care to assure us that the increase
" would be required to a very much greater
" extent if these works were not carried into
" execution." With such a prospect it was not
unreasonable that the House should decline to leap
into a bottomless gulf in the dark, even with the satis-
faction of hurrying the country to its account with
all the liabilities laid upon the head of a single
generation. For we are now dealing with a
strange crisis : we are standing face to face with a
fast neighbour who is " devouring the future,"
and exhausting capital, for the sake of ono man's
momentary flash of imagined omnipotence. But it
is only a flash, and it must burn itself out.
Calmer times will come for us all, and then when,
according to all calculations, the steed should have
been stolen, we shall be engaged in carrying out,
at an enormous expense, the elaborate devices of
committees of locksmiths. This, we say, is the
risk we should run if we voted at a sitting the
burdens of thirty years. Bit by bit defence
sounds as plausible as bit by bit reform ; but as
against dangers instant and immediate it has this
double disadvantage—it is talked of too soon—it
is done too late.

The halting and hesitating spirit in which even
Lord Patmeiorrow discusses the technical question
prey.% once more that we are not, in the conti-
neutal sense, a " military " nation, though pre-
eminently a fighting people. The PRIME Mirfurraa
and the Sacerraity for Was see clearly enough
that our dockyards, at all events, must be
thoroughly secured seawards and landwards. But
as to the metropolis itself, though they
are clear that an enemy would strike at
once at the heart of the country, they
have not made up their mind. that it ought to be
defended, except in the field. The obstacles to any
attempt at fortifying London must increase with
the increasing area of the capital, and Lord PAL-
itsitarox points out that difficulty very forcibly.
But as to the first line of defence, beyond which
our old national superstition was never taught to
look, Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT is content to hope that
the fortifications of our arsenals will set free our
ships, while Lord PALMERSTON expresses a more
intelligible doctrine when he maks " what would be-
"come of the country if we lost the command of the
" sea 1" No dockyards, of course no navy ; and
therefore the absolute security of the dock-
yards is the fast and last necessity in
the matter of fortifications. But before we
fall back upon our fortifications, it becomes a
question how much of the nine millions about to
be saddled on the middle-aged population of these
isles might not be more profitably spent in making
the navy itself more and more popular, powerful,
and effective 1

The money-question, of providing for these
vast emergencies—whether by the creation of
Consols, or, as is proposed, by terminable annuities
to be paid off in thirty years—is not to be