We are aware that many will be much inclined to pooh-pooh this; they trust too much to what has been; in our palmy days, with immense advantages, we had still our work to do in order to gain our present reputation. We found a foe worthy of us: occasionally, perhaps, an unworthy commander permitted his ship to fall an easy prey into the hands of us Philistines: but these cases were the exception, not the rule. Although many run away with that idea, let them not lay that flattering unction to their souls.

The programme Napoléonique is immensecolossal. We have seen something similar before. You must always bear in mind, that the present Emperor follows closely in the footsteps of his uncle, and never forget that that potentate was not over-scrupulous. But before even he reigned, say in 1777, or thereabouts, our connection with the American Colonies was destroyed by the assistance, and through the machinations of France, insidiously conducted through her Marine Minister, who thus unwarily prepared the misfortunes and ruination of his own monarch, and was in a great measure the cause of that political earthquake which subsequently destroyed the independence of nations, and shook the pillars of the civilized

world. Thus arose that tremendous contest between a commercial and a military power, on the result of which so much of the happiness and liberty of mankind in general eventually depends.

How favourably matters are progressing in our time for a very similar turn-out? That war commenced without any public official declaration from either government. Then the navy of the United Kingdom-the natural support of its country's independence, was the only barrier which afflicted Europe could oppose to the overwhelming and devastating ambition of France. How should we stand now, when the navies of the two countries are adjusted to such a nice balance? These are matters full of grave import, and should not be passed over lightly. As for the present state of our navy, we cannot visit the sin on any particular individual, nor perhaps on any half-dozen, at all events we may say, "Vis est notissima."

This new idea of his Imperial Majesty (we allude to his frégates blindées), and the vigorous style in which he goes to work upon them, might serve as a lesson to us, if we were not too busy selling, getting gain, and driving hard bargains (hard enough for us they'll turn out in the end); probably this is a mode peculiar to

that unfathomable potentate of making apparent his pacific disposition, and at the same time his pecuniary resources. But may it not be intended as an addition of strength for the accomplishment of the next step in the ladder of Napoleonic policy?

The rival navies (there is significance in the truthful term) are now at this moment about on a par in ships; our rivals have the advantage over us in manning them. They have a system; we have none. Our reckless folly in this respect is proverbial. Their sailors are trained men-of-war's men, always in their places when wanted. Our ships in case of need must be manned with raw material;-that brawny pigtailed race of heroes is extinct. Are we not justified in saying, "Damn those two verjuiced specimens of ancient virginity, Mis-rule and Mis-management, for having so effectually undermined our resources?" Many a smart officer has within the last few years (to our own positive knowledge) had reason most bitterly to curse the asinine stupidity which has been too glaringly apparent on the part of some person or persons high in authority.

There are officers in the navy with whom no man would hesitate to go joyfully into action; there are yet a few men to follow them. Look

at the specimens in the Naval Brigade under the gallant Peel. Poor Peel! (yet we must not pity him; he died covered with glory)- what became of them after that, when their services were no longer immediately required? Why -it should be burnt in with hot irons-the brave fellows went about the streets of Calcutta, positively starving; they had done their work, and were paid off. No man worthy the name of Briton can fail to be moved at such a state of affairs. As we said before, we again repeat, disgusting, contemptible sophistry will not avail. If we wish to man our Royal Navy, something must be done, and that quickly. A good thing cannot appear too often, therefore let us pull forward the Athenian orator again:

"There is one common bulwark which every prudent man will take care to maintain. It is the great security of nations, particularly Free States, against foreign Despotic Powers-Distrust! Distrust!! Be mindful of that. Adhere to it, and you will be free from almost every calamity."

Do not suffer yourselves to be blinded by concessions; let not any Treaty of Commerce, or any other sop blind you. Remember the Athenian, and keep your powder dry!

CHAPTER IX.

BUT where is Harold? Shall I then forget to urge the youthful wanderer o'er the deep? Assuredly not. He has pitched into lobscouse hissing hot, and listened to the sweet voice of his Commander as he disavowed his parents. Poor Boodle had not the moral courage manfully to acknowledge his origin in the little jim-crack shop; that required something that Boodle possessed not. His earliest recollections appeared most mysteriously interwoven with Lord, and his lordship's belongings.

Boodle's mother was a very fine woman, not handsome, yet sufficiently so to attract the attention -very particular attention too-of a peer, although she happened to embrace in her composition a vast amount of ignorance, vanity, impudence, and cockneyism (for Mrs. Boodle was a genuine cockney), and our friend the Commander was not very far wrong in denying the pretensions of Boodle, senior, to the honour and rights of paternity in his particular case. Also it must be acknowledged that there were