THE CHANCE OF WAR. 69 



and dash her to pieces. And what ship now built could 

 resist that steel prow backed by the impetus of 3500 tons 

 moving at twenty miles an hour? Or what ship could 

 resist the huge guns which the great monster is to 

 be fitted to caiTy with their 160 pound balls? Ah! we 

 may well avoid another war if possible, for it will be one 

 in comparison of which all the slaughter of past times 

 will be as nothing. Instead of France boasting, she may 

 tremble. We should be able to blockade every French 

 port within three days from the declaration of war, and not 

 a ship would get out unless they could force the passage, 

 and when would that be done ? France has a fine fleet of 

 sailing vessels, but what would her fine three and four 

 deckers do against a steamer with heavy guns, choosing 

 her position and changing it at pleasure, and pitching into 

 her with her few large-mo utlied dogs and not receiving a 

 shot in return ? And as to French steamers, they are not 

 to be named in the same breath with English ones ; the 

 machines are Eno;lish, and the eno;ineers and stokers Enn-lish 

 also in many cases, for the French cannot manage ma- 

 chinery any more than they can navigation. We may be 

 sure that in a very short time after the declaration of war, 

 many a French ship of war would change owners, and add 

 to the fleet which, under British colours, rides proudly at 

 Spithead. No ! if there be place for boasting, it is for 

 England to boast ; but let there be none of it ; the thing 

 is too serious, and not to be settled by boasting. Instead of 

 boasting let us keep our eyes open. Dover is now an hour 

 and a half only from Boulogne. Portsmouth is but eiglit 

 hours from Cherbourg, as was shown somewhat unplca- 



E 3 



