The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-03 00:00:00

We are no alarmists ; but on the other hand we
are not insensible to our position, either as to the
probable or the possible. As a nation begirt by
the ocean we are safe only while we keep the com-
mand on that sea which is at once our safeguard
and our only hope. We say only the more empta-
tically, because if we cannot keep the invader off,
not only one enemy but a myriad of invaders will
gloat on the spoil of old England's labours and ac-
cumulations for centuries. As prudent people we
should not risk, the possibility of this issue, and as
a provident community of commercial adventurers
we should not throw away even a chance in favour
of the probable. Well, then, our true policy is to
take care of ourselves, and be prepared against
all and every chance to the best of our ability.
The best of friends sometimes quarrel from
inadvertence or mistake. But it often
happens that where old foes affect to make matters
up for the present, it is only for the present, in
order that one or other may find it convenient to
work out its long-cherished ambition, fairly be-
lieving the end in view to be urged on by destiny.
Now, it is a well-recorded fact that the Emperor
NAPOLEON considers his mission to be prompted by
fate, and whether he succeed or not, still he must
go on and obey its stern behest. It is not a matter
of choice, but one of dire necessity. He feels that
" There is a hand we cannot see,
That beckons him away;
There is a voice we cannot hear,
That bids him not to stay 1"

And, acting on oracular mysticism, he feels bound
to work out his destiny. His great uncle has left
him a heritage such as few princes, if ever any,
left to his posterity before. And now, having by
arts which we shall not enlarge upon, attained his
ends up to the present time, why should he falter
on the very threshold of the promised boon ? It
were cowardice both in a manly and moral sense.
That he is not deficient in the one may prompt
him more readily to disregard the other. For, as
all men must die, why, to hesitate in an enterprise
suggestive of immortality were too much for hu-
man nature, and would never be a stumbling-block to
well-primed ambition. To do or die, is the motto ;
and if one could do it even in the very death, what
a charm of glory spreads out before his dissolving
vision I—He will _T,ttempt it !
We have copied from the very intelligent corre-
spondent of the Times., in Paris, some remarks on
the relative state of our Navy, as compared with
that of France : and his reflections on things as
they are, and as they are likely to be, entirely con-
cur with our own. Nor is the communication of
their correspondent at Marseilles of less impor-
tance. Now, in the face of circumstances, as
detailed by these gentlemen, and our own know-
ledge of facts—fact, as palpable as one's own
hand wnile writing —we say that our re-
spected friend, Mr. COBDEN, is very much
at fault in supposing that this country is or can be
safe by believing the assertions or even promises of
thsse who deal in blandishments until they are ready
to show forth No ! England can never be, and
will not be safe to wait on sufferance. She must be
prepared at whatever cost, for it is far better to
spend much than to lose all. That she has wasted a
great deal through inadvertence or cupidity by
worthless servants is no reason:why she should not
looksharper into her own affairs in future, and make
up for the pat by prudence and a due regard to
her exigencies hereafter. We have great faith in the
wisdom, foresight, and practical ability of the present
Surveyor of the Navy, Sir B. W. WALKER, who
has Proved himself most indefatigable in the restora-
tion so far of our Navy ; but much remains yet to be
accomplished. Instead of wasting oceans of money
on land fortifications, let us increase our floating
batteries, which can be made available everywhere
along and around our coasts, whereas the fixed Mar-
tello towers serve only as beacons which the enemy
will avoid, while our steam and other vessels can
meet the invader on an element over which he
cannot scamper as he would on dry land.

The anomalous position of Lord Buy was last
evening brought under the consideration of the
House of Commons by Colonel FRENCH. Con..
sidering the peculiarity—we are almost disposed to
believe the unprecedented peculiarity—of that
position, we cannot feel any surprise whatever that
the attention of the Legislature should have been
directed to the subject by the hon. gentleman; and
that, with a view to settle at once, if possible, a
matter intimately and immediately affecting the
organisation of Parliament, Colonel FRENCH should
have appealed (as he did appeal) yesterday to the
Right. Hon. the Speaker for his decision, or at any
rate for his (the Speaker's) opinion. At the outset
df these (as we cannot help thinking them) ex- '
tremely reasonable inquiries on the part of the
hon. and gallant member, the circumstances of the

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THE SUN.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1859.