The Sun.
London, England, 1848-01-13 00:00:00

THE SUN,

THE DANGER OF INVASION.
TO TIIE EDITOR or THE TIMES.
Sir,—A letter of mine which you lately did me
the favour to insert in your columns has received a
share of public notice which it could have obtained
by no other form of publication, but which I am well
aware has been given to the subject and not to the
in
to
some In thus addressing you, I have been led
some errors of execution which a more expanded
form of publication might have enabled me to avoid,
and I throw myself on your indulgence for permis-
sion not to retract, but to explain and develope one
passage at least which deserves censure, because
it is
liable to misconception. Private and public corre-
spondents have been startled and offended by the
possibility which I assumed of the retreat of the
Guards from London. It is not sufficient for the
vindication of such a supposition to call public atten-
tion to the historical fact, that such a transaction
has actually occurred, within our own memory, in
the instances of the three great military Powers of
Europe—Austria, Russia, and France. lam willing
to discard these instances, and a host of minor
analogous cases, and to admit that England, invaded,
will be capable of sacrifices and exertions for which
history will afford neither precedent nor parallel. It
was, however, my object to convey the belief, which
I retain, that if London is to be defended under cir-
cumstances which I have contemplated as possible, it
must be defended in the field and not in Regent-street
I,r Ludgate-hill. In specifying the Guards, I speci-
fied them not only as the natural, at present the only
garrison in London, but as affording me, by their
present high condition and the traditional lustre of
their achievements, the strongest illustration my
imagination could suggest of the inefficacy of merit
against a certain disparity of numbers. Suppose them
overmatched in the field—as on their own soil, or I be-
lieve on any other, they only could be overmatched—in
virtue of such a disparity, and I believe they would be
oflittle use within the city on which they had been forced
to retire: My reason is, that a French force is not
likely to be commanded by a man senseless enough
to advance headlong into a large city, or engage him-
self in a street fight, while a prospect existed of in-
ducing it to capitulate by a bombardment. The
latter was the course pursued by Napoleon in the
plenitude of numbers and power at -Vienna ; the
former by Whitelock at Buenos Ayres, from inca-
pacity ; by the Dutch, in 1830, from a desire to
spare Brussels. The Archduke Charles, in 1809,
wisely considered that he could turn the garrison of
Vienna to better account in the Marchfeldt than in
the streets of Vienna, and the Austrian capital was
in French possession when he fought the battles of
Aspern and Wagram. It involves at least no reflec-
tion on the military qualities of the household troops
to suppose it possible that a persevering neglect of the
Duke of Wellington's warnings might compel him e 0
issue to them such orders as the Archduke Charles
issued to the men of Essling and Wagram.
One word on the subject of the national feeling
in France towards this country. Ido not feel that
in stating a fact which I deplore, I have done so in
a spirit which could tend to aggravate its intensity.
It is indeed a fact, which in my view of it deserves
our attention and demands our vigilance, but which
ought not to receive bitter animadversion nor to excite
corresponding feelings of animosity. In endeavour-
ing to judge of the feelings or conduct of others, it is
prudent, as it is just, to imagine ourselves under the
influence of analogous circumstances. I believe this
country could have borne a serious military discomfi-
ture without conceiving any permanent or intense de-
sire for vengeance or reprisal. It is fairer, however,
to picture to ourselves a naval catastrophe, produced,
if you will, by a successful combination between
France and other maritime Powers. What would
then be the feeling of this country, supposing her
fleets re-organized and her arsenals replenished ? It
would be a feeling which statesmen might control
and Christianity condemn, but which, should the op-
portunity occur for an encounter with France single•
handed, would be something very like
Irm leonum
Frcena recusantum.

It seems to me that the less reason we have to be
astonished or offended at the existence of feelings
which we have no cause ourselves to entertain, the
greater is the necessity to provide against their natural
consequences.

- I remain, Sir, your very obedient servant,
Jan. 11. EGERTON ELLESMERE.

AEROSTATION AND WARFARE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Ssa,—As the public has been supplied within the
last few days with the highest military authority that
our coasts are in a comparatively defenceless condi-
tion, and as a rumour prevails that our neighbours,
the French, evince a spirit inclined to take advantage
of our unprotected state, I deem this, a fitting time
to endeavour, through your powerful aid, to provoke
attention with respect to the modern science of
aerostation, the utility of which, I seriously believe,
will ultimately be developed to an important and
immense extent in direct association with warfare.
That the exordium of this communication gives
expression to chimerical sentiments of a totally im-
practicable character many persons will no doubt
aver, but'if it can be shown that aerostatic machines
have alre;dy proved available as a means of obtaining
valuable information for an army, and if also we can
briefly and perspicuously demonstrate that balloons
may in future be employed in services of the most
momentous and useful kind, then do we meet and
silence the objections of the unthinking, and at the
same time give energy to the efforts of ingenuity
which in many places and by many persons have been
made for the furtherance of the noble science of bal-
looning, and which,lby a concentration of talent, may
do much for the good of mankind.
Firstly—l contend that although the infantile stage
of aerostation has been principally characterised by
exploits of a public and amusing description, yet
there is no weighty reason why balloons may not be
employed for military, philosophical, and useful pur-
poses besides, and although, in a scientific point of
view, the reputation of this art is not so great as it
might have been, and as it may be, still, as human
skill is for the most part wisely permitted gradually
to surmount difficulties and turn the inventions of
men to a good account, so are there as reasonable
hopes to be entertained of balloons as our forefathers
might have felt with respect to ships, locomotives, &c.,
before time and united exertions crowned the labours
of the wise, and the struggles of the determined class
of mankind, with complete success. Nor is it a posi-
tive or presumptive evidence of labour in vain, be-
cause at present we cannot precisely contrive or
define the peculiar kind of machinery requisite for
guiding a balloon ; that is an end that may never be
attained, or if at all, only probably in succession to
subordinate contrivances and the mastery of superable
difficulties. If then, at this juncture, one single ad-
vantage can be suggested, and that with reference to
a subject of vital importance to the nation, I main-
tain that it is worthy the attention of the well-wishers
of our country and the promoters of her good.
Secondly—I will ext(act a paragraph from my
magazine (Aerostatic) in order to show that balloons
have already proved useful in warfare :
" In the battle of Liege, at the beginning of the
French Revolution, the success of the French was in
a great measure owing to the discovery of the position
and movements of the Austrians made by expert en-
gineers whom they sent up in a balloon. From this
machine these engineers perceived whatever was
transacted in the Austrian camp, and gave continual
notice of it by notes thrown down among their own
troops. By these means the number of troops in the
Austrian camp, the quantity of their artillery, and
their motions, were instantly made known to the
French, who directed their attacks accordingly against
the weakest point, and with great confidence, from
their knowledge of the chance of success which this
gave them.
" It was not on this occasion alone that the French
made use of balloons : they resorted to their aid at
the battle of Fleurus, during the siege of Mentz, and
afterwards at that of Ehenbrietzen. In all these cases
the balloon was found to be of utility, but particularly
in the last, where the great height of the fortress
made it impossible, by any other means, to reconnoitre
the internal parts.
" When Robespierre filled France with widows and
orphans, the Revolutionary Committee deputed Gar-
nerin, the aeronaut to the army of the north, then
commanded by General Runsonnet. He appeared
there in the capacity of Commissioner."
Thirdly—l will briefly hint the way in which bal-
loons may be used as serviceable auxiliaries for our
national defences, reserving, as expedient, the modus
operandi for a tribunal before whom a full disclosure
Idi e compatible and prudent. Balloons, then, in
warfare may believe be used in a twofold form—
tracts shoo„
for observation and for destruction. The above ex-
that success has more than once attended
the experiment
as regards observation.
I propose, therefore
of there
in the event of an invasion,
or rather in the event
y being a well• grounded
apprehension of such
that our south-
eastern coast shall be prios„itiadtion,
audnit)omay be kept on
with several aerial
observatories, so that a sharp l„dk 0
up down
the movements of Johnny Crup
and on the other side of the Channelth
eye, from a sufficient altitude, without the ahe iduomfan
telescope, would command a vast circumference, at
of course, with the assistance of glasses, every but
of operna-
tion desirable to be known could easily be detected.
Any practical aeronaut will confirm the statement,
that it is possible to obtain a good view of the
French coast with a balloon from any of the
Cinque ports. Sometimes of a clear day I have seen
Sheerness, and the shipping in the Medway, soon
after ascending from London; so I write from experi-
ence,tpealset 3;
ane
paa
hry
togs my mandyedt
former
yetm etwentyrex:inl aerialoduedn
tarci
propose thattheaus s
edhsruestreri
dan electricei during theorl
rather forestall it. I
an aerial telegraph sprilh-osoa.sylslaAgs
It is impossible to determine, in

the event of an invasion, the amount of service that
might be rendered in this way, and when we venture
to estimate that for three or four thousand pounds,
that part of our coast which has the greatest proxi-
mity, and which offers the most assailable front to
France, that for this sum, I say, England might fly
her aerial representatives, I see no cause, or physical
impediment, why the hint should not at least be
worth the offering. lam of opinion, also, that bal-
loons would have proved invaluable during the late
war in India, and so must they ever be, affording, as
they do, an opportunity to reconnoitre, which cannot
be secured by other means.
Lastly—For purposes of destruction, I have no
hesitation in declaring that by the instrumentality of
balloons the most powerful engine for wholesale
annihilation may be used against an enemy. I
will not affect to connect with this assertion
any very wonderful invention, much less
would I have it supposed that my views
bear any analogy to the long range evolution.
My plan is simple, effective, terrific and certain, re-
quiring merely the judgment of a skilful aeronaut
and the application of an explosive compound that
cannot well be projected from anything besides a
balloon, but, so discharged from a moderate altitude,
would inevitably annoy, destroy, and scatter an
enemy, or, if required, demolish a citadel. The mis-
siWs which I could propose for use would not require
that precision as to aim with which it is necessary
to regulate the discharge of a cannon or a musket,
whilst the effects would be such as to require no very
lengthy prolongation of an engagement. Perhaps to
say more on this head at present would be injudi-
cious ; therefore I shall conclude by advising that all
persons who are interested in aeronautic science do
exercise their spare time by devising schemes to carry
out the plans proposed. And then, if our Gallic
neighbours take French leave to visit our shores, they
will find that aerostation, which owes its origin to
French ingenuity, will become the instrument (like
the gallows made by the carpenter, on which he was
executed) of dealing out punishment with their own
weapons.
HENRY COXWELL.
10, Noel-street, Islington.

COLLEGE OF PRECEPTORS.
The first Conversazione of the College of Preceptors
took place on Tuesday evening at the Freemasons'
Tavern, Great Queen-street. The conversazione was
attended by friends of the institution from all parts of
the kingdom. The tables were covered with speci-
mens of some of the best elementary works for the
use of scholars, and with apparatus illustrative of me-
chanics, and other branches of primary instruction.
Amongst the gentlemen present were Mr. Turrell,
President, Brighton ' • Mr. Lane, Plymouth ; Mr.
Wharton, Brighton; Rev. Dr. Wilson, Chelsea; Rev.
Mr. Lonsdale, London ; Dr. Reid, London ; Mr.
Green, Clapham • Mr. Robson, London ; Mr. Seg-
gins, Sudbury ; 111 r. Coleman, Folkstone ; Dr. Hop-
kins, Birmingham ; Mr. Parker, Secretary, College
of Preceptors ; Air. Walker, Maidstone.
Dr. REID favoured the association by reading a
paper on the relation of practical science to the wants
of society and the extent to which it should become
an object of attention to those he addressed, and to
all entrusted with the primary education of youth.
He said it is impossible to examine the present posi-
tion of education without observing the more just
views which daily experience is unfolding as to
its nature and capabilities and the relation in
which it ought to be associated with the national
institutions of all civilised communities. No fact
is more pre-eminently expressive of the pro-
gress of this question in the present time than the
institution of that association in whose name we
have now assembled, and if the formation of public
bodies for promoting literary and scientific pursuits
be a praiseworthy object, sanctioned by universal
practice wherever knowledge is appreciated, surely
there is no body of men who are more likely to ad-
vance the cause in which they are engaged, by meet-
ing together for the :purpose of friendly intercourse,
and by examining and discussing, from time to time,
the numerous topics that bear upon the progress of
education, than those who are members of the College
of Preceptors. We hail this reunion as an object
equally important to society and to the members of
the profession ; the great body of teachers have been
too long isolated from each other ; they have felt the
want of that strength which union in a good cause
can alone insure. Considering the present meeting
as the commencement of that department of the col-
lege which may finally be to its members, their
society for discussing every advantage which the pro-
gress of the times may bring to bear on the great
business of education,kwe propose to devote the brief
remarks which the present opportunity permits us to
offer, to the notice of some facts connected with the
relations of practical science to the wants of society
and the extent to which this should become an
object of attention with those intrusted with the
primary education of youth. The progress of
physical science, within the last century, has
been so great, and has so largely extended the
power of man over the material world that it
may truly be said to constitute a new era
in the history of mankind. It has multiplied the
resources that may be brought to bear on his rela-
tions as a social, a moral, and a religious being, as well
as those that minister to his natural wants. The prac-
tical application of the great principle of induction to
the elaboration of physical truths has given the key
which has explained the actual composition of the
animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdom, and traced
the reciprocal iinfluence of the different elements in
maintaining the order and harmony that subsists be-
tween them. And when, amidst countless operations
of art and science, we see such striking examples of
its application as the development of the steam-engine,
the railway, the daguerreotype, the electrotype, the
electric telegraph, recent discoveries in astronomy, or
the power of rendering the living man unconscious of
the severest surgical operations, we ought not to be
surprised at still further discoveries, but rather look
forward from day to day to the further evolution
of those manifestations of the power of the Creator,
throughout every portion of the material world,
that may be expected to arise from the pursuit of
science with those more extended means and
appliances that are now available for this purpose.
Great as its influence is, however, it does not ap-
pear that physical science has yet been recognised to
an extent, or admitted to a position commensurate
I with the blessing which it appears to be capable of
bestowing on mankind. The chairs devoted to phy-
sical science in our universities have, undoubtedly,
done much to extend a knowledge of this subject
throughout the length and breadth of the land, in
addition to the purposes they have served in meeting
the wants of professional education ' • and many new
institutions, as well as the efforts of individuals, have
given an impulse to its onward course, while in
another sphere new educational establishments for
special professions and various kindred associations
awaken an interest for such pursuits among a still
wider class of the population, but these do not meet
the great and essential wants of the people, however
important and valuable in themselves. I assume,
then, it is a fact capable of the most specific demon -
stration, that in the present position of society the
comforts of all classes would be greatly increased, the
average duration of human life prolonged, the produce
of innumerable operations of art augmented, the
labour, the danger, the toil, and the exhaustion
of life attending others diminished, and the time
for education, reilection, and social improvement
very much increased, were the great body of teachers
merely to introduce that knowledge of the more im-
portant elements of science, which they could offer in
successive years to their pupils between 8 and 16
years of age. They would thus awaken their atten-
tion to the great phenomena of nature and of art.
An hour a week devoted to the systematic expositions
of the subjects brought before their notice, and a
running commentary and examination on the state-
ments made in such manuals as might be adopted,
would of itself prove invaluable, and would no
doubt in time be amplified and illustrated by such
diagrams and familiar experiments, as each might
ultimately introduce in his own locality, and in
reference to the probable future occupations of
the mass of his pupils. Let no one say that this
course is impracticable ; it has already been
introduced
epoiinninitp a sufficient number of schools to
importance
nreees t
of; neithersn ehnlfentr
ma
antyi
nonn.
R under-
valuecompletevery inr
eti
htvseeetnl:,eonartnk dia
nocdfa rnerxaytt
ueatrlloes
extension,
tphhpeliniteedtvheeirnsiette
hdiess
principle enunciated, every fact demonstrated, may
be
mofanfuifteusrteediminp
operations of art. But it is not merely the acquaint-
ance with facts that is important : the acquisition of
that spirit of philosophical inquiry which has ever
been adverted to as far beyond any limited agreements
of philosophy, would be facilitated and enhanced. To
e
many it would present the only opportunity that they
may ever have of attaining any knowledge of
science,higher
before they are immersed in the cares, the business,
and the anxieties of life. To others, it will enable
them to enter upon professional studies of a b
range, and more adapted to the wants of the times.
To all it will convey a lesson of the vast extent of
human knowledge, at the very time it gives them a
more convincing opinion than they can otherwise have
ofit
should its imperfections, pbeerfaecckotinon:,l
,eadngd
deofanthd apehpurienciilaittd.yewith which
The PRESIDENT complimented Dr. Reid upon the
admirable paper which he had drawn up, and said
Struck that it vas not their intention to make speeches, or
to display their oratorical powers, but if any ideas had
the subjaencyt itone' they should be happy to hear them,
y opinion that might assist in the elaboration of
m igr.t
pLroadzsie a ceyri;
el
heyofhardi in- view.
Ahl
or an •
certain mouth, said that Dr.
shown them that b Reid had
s amount d f
ophysical
.p o wDeirds
they h e
not think that they might
erehcaeidvpeaiidnto their schools
much attention
any amount of agents ? u