INTERNAL NATIONAL DEFENCE.
TO THE EDITOR OF TI1E SPECTATOR.
Sin—As an oldest subscriber, permit me to observe that the thanks of every true Englishman are due to you for your excellent article on our internal defence. The letter of the friendly brother, in your last, scarcely called for notice from you: the excellent one of Z. forestalled a little I had written on the subject, but not half so well as Ile has done.
It is impossible, Sir, to reflect on the supineness of our Government on this sub- ject without astonishment. We ask ourselves—can there be any doubt on so vital a point? Can we for a moment doubt that, in the event even of a short war, the Frenchman would not land in force ?—we, who lie open to so many points beyond the ken of our Argus-eyed marine?
May I say that I think Z., among his sound remarks, underrates France when he supposes her throwing in ten thousand men only, at different points. Such an attempt would be made rather with crushing odds—and what have we to meet them? Scarcely fifty thousand effective men, and these scattered far away, with no reserve of any kind. The Militia is a "vol et prieterea nihil "; and could not be expected to stand against regular troops supported by a tremendous artillery. These, I repeat, are truths that should arouse the most irreflective: it is idle to say wait till the danger comes; the answer is decisive—then it will be too late; the stroke will be given, and let England raise her bead again when she may.
I therefore rather differ with Z. as to our certainty of eventually overpowering them, unless we were, as he suggests, strengthened, now, by the additional force of at least fifty thousand men, with a trained reserve of double that number: backed by these' and by our mighty marine we might then, indeed, laugh at the idea of a second Hastings; a name, be it oeserved, that we should ever remember after those of Crecy and Poitiers.
Z. justly cites the National Guard as never having come forward when it might have done so: need we observe that our Militia in the field, man to man, would be inferior, perhaps, even to them ? Z. cites also our people as being, now, "warlike": warlike": I rather agree with you that they were so; fanaticism, love of pelt; and in-door labour, have sadly changed them. To our national finances, what u ere four millions yearly ? Observe the enor- mous wealth of the country—and what the railway mania has brought to light! Be it remembered also, that this same four millions is the price of our preserva- tion—of nothing less than our existence as a nation. Surely, then, we should awake —and soon.
I do not know, Sir, that this letter merits publication; nor do I press it. Mine is an honest national feeling, which I feel compelled to express to you: to expre. also, a hope that you will continually recur toss vital a subject; that "you would still have England prepared to show that she can repel aggression, and enforce the peace, at least within her own territory." As I believe you eschew anonymous contribution, I shall add my name, though signing myself,
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