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FRASER'S MAGAZINE FOR NOVEMBER, 1853,

CONTAINS,

MORALS OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.-SECOND PAPER.

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF A VISIT TO NEW SOUTH

WALES IN 1853.

PROPERTIUS AND HIS ENGLISH EDITOR.

UNCLE PETER.-PART II.

THE NORTH-WEST PASSAGE.

ANATOMY IN LONG CLOTHES.

THE STORY OF CORFE CASTLE.

THOUGHTS ABOUT SHELLEY AND BYRON.

DARTMOOR PRISON-AS IT WAS, AND AS IT IS.

THE NORTH AMERICAN FISHERIES.

THE INSURRECTION IN CHINA.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The Editor of FRASER'S MAGAZINE does not undertake to return papers

that are sent to him for consideration.

FRASER'S MAGAZINE.

JULY, 1853.

THE NAVY OF FRANCE.
O quid agis? fortiter occupa

Portum.

JOHN, you must pay up your insurance,' was the appeal which, in a recent paper on 'Military Education,' our readers may remember, was made to reluctant John Bull; and his reluctance to pay this insurance, so unlike his ready assent to the demands of the Phoenix and the Sun, was attributed to venerable traditions about our 'wooden walls,' and, we may add, to a deep-seated conviction that Frenchmen can never cross the Channel, whatever else they may do. It is our present purpose to give our esteemed friend John a little insight into the value of the traditions and convictions on which he so self-complacently relies.

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We shall not now examine minutely into the state of those wooden walls of ours, the very name of which, impressed upon our minds since the days when we were 'in Thucydides, imparts so comfortable a feeling of confidence and reliance to every gentleman of England who sits at home at ease:' such an investigation will have its place, but for the moment might be premature. There is a previous question to be examined into. Against what must we prepare? Does France meditate the invasion of this country, or does she not? And if she has such designs, what means is she preparing for effecting so uncalled for an outrage.

But let it be remembered, we are reasoning with our friend John Bull; and we would try and recal to our minds the real John Bull of the olden time-the gentleman in top boots and short nether garments, whose honest countenance yet lowers under his sheltering beaver as his hand descends into the fabulous depths of his pocket. We are not talking to Mr. Cobden or Mr. Bright. We know nothing

of the personal appearance of these gentlemen; but we imagine they must be unlike our honest John. We shall not, therefore, allude to the gentlemanly feelings of the French officers who, if they were ordered to invade this country, would so indignantly refuse the duty and throw up their commissions. We are sure our John Bull has not made the acquaintance of these estimable men; nor shall we attempt to mar the delightful feelings with which the honourable member for Liverpool must gaze on the autograph assurances of the French Minister of Marine, that we are to be allowed to breathe a little longer, and that the hour is not yet come when another Napoleon is to say, L'Angleterre a vecu ;* and that we are but wasting money in all that we have been doing in the way of ships and forts, marines and militia..

It is with John Bull, then, that we are about to discuss the momentous question-Does France meditate the invasion of England? and it is before his plain blunt sense that we purpose laying our evidence. We do not ask whether she now, or at any fixed and definite time, intends this act; but we ask, Does she meditate it? We know that on our side of the Channel we have no other feeling than a desire for continued peace. We have waived all questions of sovereignty of the seas, and of this, our repeal of the navigation laws has given even Frenchmen undoubted proofs. We want no ship to lower her topsails to the British flag; but we want to be at peace. And in the midst of these our peaceful desires we are constantly haunted by this idea-Does France intend, as soon as she can, to invade us to destroy our liber

* Napoleon to Admiral Decrès, 1st Aug., 1805.

VOL. XLVIII. NO. CCLXXXIII.

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