The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-16 00:00:00

commerce has also a greater confidence in their naval
power ; and if there were an appearance of war the
English mercantile marine would continue its opera-
tions, whilst ours, less assured, would suspend theirs.
The consequence of this would be, that our merchant-
men at sea at the time would be alone exposed
to the risk of capture, but no others would leave our
ports; whilst the English shipowners would continue to
cover the seas, and use every effort to escape the incon-
venience of a naval impressment. This state of things
would necessarily tend to bring the naval forces of the
two countries more on a level; almost the whole of the
seamen of France would necessarily become available to
man our navy; whilst the English fleet could only have
a part of her 200,000 men at command. Our light-
armed vessels would also have great chances of success,
and the commerce of England would suffer immense loss,
almost without any compensation. Our officers, less nu-
merous than the :English, are generally more able men,
and better instructed in naval tactics, and our gunners
are;:superior'to those of our neighbours. If our ship-
builders do not pay sufficient attention to the counsels of
experience, particularly in the construction of steamers,
it may be said that our vessels are generally sound and
well found; the English fleet is no longer better ma-
naged than ours, perhaps not so well; for, on both sides
of the Channel, the principal officers hilve been renewed
within the last forty years, and ours have made real pro-
gress during the peace. Military reasons may thus per-
mit the possibility of a struggle, but political reasons,
which prevail over all others, do not permit it to be
thought of."

The Presse, on the other hand, sings in a higher
strain, and manfully contends that France, even in
steam warfare, is fully a match for England. It thus

boasts :

" What is necessary to constitute an imposing steatn
navy ? Money, iron, coal. France is the richest coun-
try in the world in these articles. Its credit is solid, its
minerals are abundant and excellent ; it has, besides, able
and capable engineers, practised workmen and mechanics,
splendid manufactories, and, in short, everything neces-
sary to bring into operation the treasures bestowed by
nature. Nothing is then wanting but energy and perse-
verance to give us a steam navy able to sustain with
honour comparison with, and, in case of necessity, a
contest with, that of England. According to a state-
ment which has been recently published, England has in
steamers 15,000 horse power. France would have more
than 18,000 horse power if she were seriously to put in
force the law of 1842 with respect to our effective
marine. On the other hand, in augmenting our navy,
we have little fear of going beyond our means of man-
ning it, for everybody knows how few sailors it requires
to man steamers. Our maratime population would then
be sufficient, for all events."
THE BOURSE—WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14.

First Highest Lowest

Last

Price. Price. Price. Price.
French Five per C wit/ l2l 40 .. 121 45 .. 121 30 .. 121 40
Four per Cents.
Three per Cents... 81 55 81 60 .. 81 55 .. 81 60
Bank of France 3085 ..3085 ..3075 ..3075
Latlltte Bank, 5,000 f. Sharesso6o .. 5060 —5060 ..5060
Belgian Bank.
Belgian Fives, 1840
1842
Spanish Threes ...........• 321 .. 327 •• 32+ .• 327
Neapolitan•••.. 9B 75 .• 98 75 .• 98 75 .. 98 75
Roman ••...••...

RAILWAY SHARES.
St. Germain ......... 285 • • 885
Versailles, R.B. 375 . • 375
L.B •
Orleans

.. 885 .. 885
.. 375 .. 375
.. 233 75 .. 233 75
.. 967 50 .. 970

Strasburg to 8a1e.......... 237 50 •• 238 75 .. 236 25 • • 238 75
Avignon to Marseilles.. 760 .. 760 • 760 .. 760
RAILWAY SHARES. FOR THE ACCOUNT, 15TU OF AUGUST.
St. Germain ....... . . .... . 885 .. 885 • • 885 .. 885
Versailles, L. 8... . • • • •. • • • • 235 .. 235 .. 233 75 . • 233 75
Rouen . ......... .......... 976 25 982 50 • • 980 • • 982 50

Rouen to 11avre...........• 747 50 750 .. 747 50 750
Orleans • 970 .. 971 25 .. 968 75 .. 968 75

Strasburg to Bale•• •• —— •• 23-7 50 .• 238 75 .. 237 50 . 2-3-8- 475

THIS DAY'S NEWS

INSOLVENT COURT.-(THIS DAY.