The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-13 00:00:00

willing to allow Lord JOHN RUSSELL to introduce
the resolutions, so that the matter might be
divested of any party bias or prejudice ; but they
were quite prepared to take the initiative, and
to bring forward resolutions in accordance with the
bill, which now awaits its second reading. That
bill has not been abandoned. The effect of
the discussions that must ensue may be to
modify it in some respects ; but Lord DERBY and
Mr. DISRAELI have both clearly explained
that they are not by any means wedded to the
details. The great principle aimed at by both
bills is the virtual abolition of the East India
Company, and the transfer of its functions to the
Crown. The double government, which occa-
sioned so much mischief, will thus be got rid of,
and the best mode of forming a suitable council,
without avoiding the complete responsibility of
the government for the time being, may be fairly
and fully considered by Parliament.

It had been suggested that both bills should
be referred to a select committee, to examine into
their provisions and report thereon ; but the
mode about to be adopted is obviously better.
The former would probably shelve the question
for the present session, and the House would not
be bound by the decision of the Select Com-
mittee. By the latter we shall be enabled to
have proper enactments even during the present
sitting of Parliament—a matter of great import.
ance, considering the effect which the moribund
condition of the Company must produce in India.

The Palmerstonian journals are savage at the
judicious proceeding. They see in it the defeat
of their intentions. It was to be made a party
question—a battle-field whereon the contest for
place and power might take place. The Times
is indignant, the Post furious, that this is no
longer possible. But whatever they may say, the
nation will feel that the most judicious policy has
been adopted, and will give Ministers the credit
to which they are fairly entitled for so doing.

We are at last to have a Channel Fleet, an
efficient squadron, fit to protect the country in
any emergency. Our wooden walls are to be pro-
perly manned, and Great Britain secured against
the possibility of invasion. We do not say that
there was any great probability of such an event.
But where the results of any want of preparation
might be so very formidable, it is right to main-
tain such a force as would prevent any Power
whatsoever from attempting that which must in-
evitably prove a failure. "Si vis pacem para
helium" is a sound and wholesome apophthegm,
the accuracy whereof has been established
during a long series of years. It would,
indeed, be a " penny wise and pound
foolish" policy that would, for the sake
of some paltry savings, give up what may
reasonably be regarded as the national assurance
against invasion. The efficiency of our naval
establishments and coast defences may be regarded
as such an assurance ; and it would be the height
of folly, or something worse, to tolerate the
slightest negligence on such a point.
Sir JOHN PAKINGTON, in his very clear and
able speech, applauded the bold and wise course

adopted by the late Government in proposing a con

siderable addition to the numbers of seamen and
coast-guards employed. That increase is practically
three thousand men—viz, two thousand seamen
and one thousand Coastguards over the " ultimate
strength" sanctioned list sessiou, and five thou-
sand more than those moved for at its commence-
ment, before the news of the Indian mutiny had
reached our shores. No true-hearted English-
man will complain of the increase, indeed the

only regret will be that the First Lord of the
Admiralty had not gone a little further and pro-
posed a still larger number of seamen. It is true
that the exigencies of the Exchequer, and
the anticipated deficiency bequeathed to the
Financial Minister by his predecessor, ren-

dered economy indispensable, but we confess
that under the peculiar circumstances of
the country we should gladly relinquish the
shadow for the substance, and sacrifice show t,
utility. If we could only add to our naval
strength by curtailing some of the Household
troops, we should submit to the necessity without
repining.

We fully and cordially concur with the Right
Honourable Baronet as to the impolicy of allowing
no less than 3,000 continuous service men, trained
and disciplined seamen, to be discharged under
circumstances that almost involved a breach of

faith, and turned adrift those whose services
would have been peculiarly valuable in any
emergency—who were the best and most effi-
cient guardians of the national safety. We
rejoice to find that it is the intention of the
present Board to repair, as far as practicable, that
grave mistake, and to take care that all the seamen
shall be enlisted for continuous service.
It is also of groat importance that these men
should have ample opportunities of becoming
thoroughly acquainted with the new system ; and
that, for so important a matter, there should be
a squadron for evolutions and practice. Steam
has wrought a revolution in naval affairs. A
manufacturer with old machinery—a workman
with inferior tools, cannot compete with those
who have all the recent improvements
available. Nor can the nation safely depend on
a class of ships now become obsolete, although
they nobly performed their duties in the olden
time, and under very different conditions. It
would be a waL tin E2Crifi.Ce of troops to send
them abroad only with the old Brown Bess,
against an equally powerful force, with Miui6 or
Enfield rifles. Why, then, should we place our
seamen in the old ships of the line, where they
could not meet, on equal terms, a screw man-of-
war belonging to the enemy. There are many of
these block-ships that might well be cut down, and
transformed into efficient frigates, and we are
convinced that - the most stringent eeononaist
would not grudge an expense that would be so
well and so fully recompensed.

We must once more impress the vast import-
ance of maintaining our maritime supremacy in-
tact, and we are delighted to find that Sir JOHN
PAKINGTON has resolved to do so, and we
heartily wish him all success in his noble under-
taking.

THE PRINCE OF WALES IN IRELIND,

DUBLIN, TURSDAY.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales Arrived
at Cork, in the 0.31.0rne, on Sunday morning, and
proceeded up the river Carrigline on a barge to
CoAmoore, where he landed and walked to Monks-
town. He then re-ernb.irked and returned to
Cork. H.s incognito having ben preserved he
walked about the city for some time without being
recognised. Aisikassitvbbcoiry.eoaewina(ullalthen assembled opposite
the hotel where be lunched, and cheered him
loudly as he started for Blarney, from which he
returned in the evening, and went to Bandon by
rdinr.aytinh(earriursvdeserdsetamyea)fineil there for the night ay the guest
ofa the Earl of Bandon, at Castle Bernard. This
service of the noble visitor,°
Mayor of Cork placed
_ni gird Bantry.ih-leisss
a bo In The
Hshi
Highness
tourshn Lard
s
s
his
as equipages iwp.
aasgue sn
wait]. l
ituhge
courteously declined the ttb
o accept any public demonstration.

Their Serene Highnesses the Prince and Princesb
EdNan! of Saxe-Weimar, arrived in town yesterday,
train Gocd wood, kr the season,