Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-08-08 00:00:00

found, and one in which we were more clearly
in the right. If we are to enforce our authority,
rightness of our cause and the uprightness of our
conduct ought to be unquestioned and unques-
tionable. If there is any shadow of argument
or colour of reasoning on the other side, the
lesson attempted to be read, in so far loses its

truth, its justness, and its meaning. If our
cause is not undeniably just, then, whatever we
may think, the enemy will regard it only as an
arbitrary and arrogant infliction of superior force,
and though they may yield to onr greater skill
and prowess, they will be as far as ever from
being convinced of the justice of our proceedings.
From all that we can learn, the British flag was
not flying at the masthead when the Chinese
boarded the little vessel, called the Arrow. iThe
ten or twelve men carried off were restored, with
the exception of one who was detained on the
ground of his being an offender against Chinese
law. Every reparation seems to have been made
except the tendering of a formal apology, which
was formally and categorically refused.
Sir JOHN BOWRING is a man of high character,
and no doubt actl according to his best judg-
ment. His antecedents would lead us to believe
that he is one of the last men who could need-
lessly abet the effusion of blood. Still, we
cannot help regretting that he did not pause
before letting " slip the dogs of war," or that he
dill not take a different and a milder view of the
matter from that which finally satisfied him. It
is an awful responsibility, far too lightly con-
sidered, to send. out armed hosts to mutual
slaughter. Every peaceable means and method
should be exhausted before resorting to the
horrid arbitration of the sword. We are not
alone in• the opinion that hardly was this done
at Canton. Same measure of passion and pre-
cipitation have combined with the determination
to vindicate the honour of the British flag.. The
nation will be painfully convinced of this before
the contest is over. Meantime we are committed
to the struggle ; the time for deliberation, and
hesitation• is past, and we must fight it out.
Already some result is seen of the contact of
the Celestial Empire with Western nations.
The Chinese fight better than when they opposed
us before. We could wish that they had learned
a better lesson. Let us hope that this is reserved
for the better time coming.. For the present,
our work is to support the government, and to
stimulate them to act with- vigour. The sharp
and severe work of fighting is best done with

despatch. In the present. state of society, it
may sometimes be a necessary though painful

operation._
When the storm of battle has passed away
the serene heavens will be- seen again ; and our
ambition as a nation ought- to be to cultivate• the
arts of peace with the same• assiduity as we have
hitherto-shown ourselves capable of prosecuting
the arts of war. It will help towards this con-
summation if it be clearly understood that our
foreign agents, consul's, and 'amba.ssadors can
reckon on the support of- the Home Government
only in so far as their proceedings are justifiable,
and, that the Government itself will not be
allowed to plunge us into the horrible evils of
warfare at their own beck and will, but that such
responsibility. when it is undertaken, must first
receive the sanction of the Parliament and People
of England.

Important events seem oftentimes to be con
fleeted with very little things. •`Behold, how
great a fire a small spark kindletb," says the
ancient book. ‘' The tongue is a little mem-
ber, but it bonsteth great things." -The dress
of the British soldier who is to be sent to India
may seem a small matter, but it is importantly
related to the whole issue of our proceedings
Remembering the confusion and inca-
pacity shown in the Crimea in such matters, we
feel ourselves justified in undertaking to remind
ministers that such things ought not to be neg-
lected. Yet we shall not be surprised if they
are overlooked till nearly the close of the fighting.
After we shall have lost a number of men by the
heat of the climate, or by the periodical rains,
and by the inappropriateness and absurdity of our
soldiers' habiliments, then, in the last act of the
tragedy, it will be discovered that we might have
managed things far better by a little care before-
hand. We should leave nothing to chance which
prudence may provide for. ABEL HANDY'S house
having taken fire, was sure to go out of itself
after the flames had burned everything that
was burnable; but we are decidedly of opinion
that a fire engine might have been serviceable.
Surely our brave fellows will not be sent abroad
with those stiff - chokers, called stocks. The
shakoe might be very fitting for a campaign in
Denmark or Norway, but as it is an admirable
conductor of heat, it is most inappropriate as a
head cover under the burning sun of India. The
black leather boot is liable to a similar objection.
The cross-belt or any breast-belt is objectionable
only in a less degree. We say, away with all
these and such-like injurious incumbrances.
If it is thought desirable to reduce the
efficiency of our soldiers to the minimum, and
raise the mortality to the maximum—to give
them swollen feet, and fevered heads, - and
cramped bodies—then let the atrocious stock,
shako, tunic, belt, and boots be retained. But
if otherwise, all this Must be changed. Nor is
the change difficult and without precedent.
The dress and equipment of the French Zouave
is by most allowed to be a model of fitness for
service. Why should not an English army
equal or excel what has been done in France ?
We know of no good reason against our men
,dopting the light forage cap, the loose tunic,

there.