Sir T. Brassey, the new Secretary to the Admiralty, is
evidently one of those who are uneasy at the condition of the Navy. At St. Leonard's, on Thursday, he told his constituents that he thought the proposals of the Department adequate, if they were fully carried out, and if the other Powers did not increase their expenditure upon shipbuilding. At present the British Fleet possessed the necessary predominance ; but it was necessary to look to the future, and he hoped the public- vigilance would not be relaxed. We hope so, too ; but if the Department begins a race against the combined shipyards of all Europe, it very soon will be. It is quite right to fill up gaps, take all precautions for coaling-stations, and build any needful ships ; but if the alarmists drive on the Government too fast, there will soon be a dangerous reaction. It is quite possible to pay too much for insurance, even for a nation,—a truth the British public is always !preaching to the Continent when armies are under discussion.
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