4 SEPTEMBER 1982, Page 9

One hundred years ago

There was also a very vehement discussion the same day on the Channel Tunnel, Sir Frederick Bramwell doing all in his power to cover with ridicule those who have opposed it. But he did not make much way. Sir William Armstrong quite rightly replied that any position which was one of natural advantage for the British people, ought to be guarded with great jealousy, and that, no doubt, our insular position was an advantage of that kind. As this journal has always in- sisted, a Channel tunnel, whatever it failed to do, must increase the tendency of the British public to periodical panics, — a most mischievous and undesirable tendency.

Spectator, 2 September 1882