The Sun.
London, England, 1848-02-02 00:00:00

TAIT.

The first article in the present number of our
excellent contemporary refers to the much disputed
question of our national defences. A moderate view
is taken of the subject, the writer neither agreeing
with those who assert that there is not the slightest
necessity for any interference—that the improved
state of feeling throughout the chief nations of the
world, and the soothing influence of the free-trade
doctrines which have recently been recognised, and
which ere long must become universal, will prevent
the possibility of such an invasion, and preserve a
long continuance of peace and tranquillity; nor with
the more timid class, who hold that there is every
prospect of war, that we should be utterly unpre-
pared to resist any sudden aggression, and that
we should yield an immediate and unconditional
surrender to the attacks of 60,000 Frenchmen, who
could, without any great difficulty, be landed on the
coasts of Kent or Sussex, and march to the metropolis
without any formidable opposition. The real feeling
of Frenchmen, still smarting under the recollections
of the late Peninsular war and its triumphant termi-
nation on the plains of Waterloo, is clearly explained,
and it is shown that that feeling is fostered and ex-
cited by the leading Parisian journals, who exercise
an immense influence over the public mind in all parts
of the country. It is, therefore, essential that we
should not place too implicit reliance on the
impossibility, or even the improbability, of any sus-
pension of our amicable relations, but that we should
be at all times fully prepared to encounter any sudden
and unexpected attack that might be made. We are
not, however, so wholly defenceless as the alarmists
would wish us to believe. 50,000 French soldiers,
with the proper accompaniments of 8,000 horses and a
park of artillery, could not so very easily be landed on
our shores without a timely warning that would enable
us to give them a warm reception. Even, with all the
facilities which the railways now constructed, or in
progress of construction, would afford, it would take a
considerable time to bring such a force even from
Paris to the ports from which they were intended to
set out on their expedition. The transports for
so numerous a body could not easily be assembled to-
gether, and the embarkation would take a consider-
able time, even if the troops and the flotilla were in
readiness. All the French harbours within reason-
able distance of the English coasts are " tidal," and
even if the number of vessels necessary for such a
service were actually laden, it would be impossible
that one-half the number could leave the port in any
single tide. A very few British war-steamers would
make sad havoc among so heavily laden and encum-
bered a fleet. It would not be a naval combat, but
an immolation. Even if landed, the French forces
would not have it so entirely their own way as has
been represented. It is, however, obvious that such an
invasion must be the result of long and energetic
preparations, to be met by equally energetic prepa-
rations here, and therefore it is not the kind of thing
we should have to fear. The great danger, then,
—according to our contemporary—against which
immediate measures should be adopted, are the
inroads of a few armed steamers, by which
the greatest mischief could be done to certain parts
of our coasts, which are wholly unprotected, and
the temptation to any such inroads should be forth-
with removed. It also considers it probable that a
re-organization of the militia force is contemplated
by the Government, and will be speedily submitted
to Parliament. There is an excellent paper on
the sanitary questicn, continued from the January
number, and which is not 3et concluded.
There are reviews on the second volume
of Dr. Chalmers' " Horae Biblicae Quotidianae,"
and Mr. Warren's admirable novel of " Now and
Then," to which we have already directed the atten-
tion f our readers. De Quincy continues his article
on Protestantism, which is to be concluded in the
next number, and Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, in his
third number of " Scottish Rivers," takes the Tyne
for his subject. " Furstenruhe" is concluded, the
amiable Helena obtains the love of her husband, so
long withheld, and a fresh round dozen of names are
inscribed in the " Saxe Gotha," to the great delight
of the Duke and Duchess. l'ercy B. St. John con-
tinues " Miranda" with unabated interest, and there
are several detached pieces of poetry well worthy of
attention. We had almost passed over " The Govern-
ment and the Parochial Schools of Scotland," on
which our contemporary expatiates with his usual
acuteness. On the whole the number is an excellent
one, fully maintaining the character already attained
by this talented periodical,