It appears to be almost Certain that the object to
which Admiral Courbet will next address himself is the capture of Nankin. That is to say, he will force his way up the" Great River" for at least two hundred miles, or one hundred from the estuary, seize the second city in the Empire, and shut up the canal by which Pekin is supplied with grain. That is a bold attempt, as the Chinese will defend the river desperately, and care nothing if they ruin its channels; and Nankin, besides being heavily fortified, is garrisoned lay Mantchoo Tartars, who mean fighting. It would seem to be
nearly impossible to capture such a position without troops. There is, however, no doubt that if the French Fleet can take Nankin the Empire will feel the shock, or that if a fleet can defeat a Power like China, this is the likeliest spot for attack. The dynasty shook when the Taepings stormed Nankin. The enterprise will, however, need all Admiral Courbet's resources,. and if the river could be shut behind him, he might encounter a grave disaster. Still, it is before this kind of audacity that Asiatic Empires fall.
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