Peace is rather gaining ground in the expectation of the
English people, who have seen their Funds rise above 92 on the strength of the expectation, while in Paris, it is said, they are beginning rather to weary of their enthusiasm for peace ; and the thawing of the Danube reminds us that the season for hostilities will soon return. Calculations have been hazarded that the negotiations for a treaty of peace will occupy " many weeks." But the waters of the Black Sea and Baltic cannot be free for " many weeks" and remain unoccupied by our fleets, without occasioning mistrust and discontent in this country. It is impossible that r..71=tu 99144 face that combination of circumstances ; nor is it probable that; 'a Ministry would attempt it. It has been stated in Parliament, that the blockade of the Baltic will con- tinue, even during the negotiations, which the blockade might influence : and the French Government has called forth the an- nual levy of 140,000 men—the same number that was called out last year ; a fact implying that Napoleon the Third intends to proceed sternly in the course marked out, unless Russia give such satisfactory guarantees as will enable the Western Powers to lay aside their arms. In Paris, they are said to regret that a fleet of three hundred sail should remain unoccupied ; and the report given by Sir Edmund Lyons on the state of our fleet is calculated to make England regret that her four hundred sail should be unemployed, and that her officers afloat should still be prevented from signalizing themselves. The fine state of the fleet has been many time attested ; but Sir Edmund Lyons shows how the skill of the officers, the discipline of the men, and the alacrity of all classes, including the mercantile marine, have been displayed in the Black Sea to a degree which equals anything in our naval annals. We are therefore quite ready for exploits— the opportunity alone is denied to us. But if Russia should still haggle about " the fifth point "—should still refuse to give to Sweden that guarantee of peace which would be the least price that the Western Powers ought to secure for their ally—we may still have an opportunity of obtaining for the French and English fleet their share of victory.
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