1857 to preclude the possibility of an invading army making progress in this our island, much more is required now. The use of steam, from the largest to the smallest vessel, and the enormous speed, sea-worthiness, and capabilities of these vessels, have thrown twenty bridges across the Channel, where formerly two barely existed. Our trade has increased enormously, and as we are dependent on it in many instances for mere existence, it demands greater attention from our fleets in every part of the world, and weapons of war are far more deadly. In other words, war has become a science. Doubtless bravery, or, as Lord Palmerston had it, "he who could stand a quarter of an hour more beating than another will win," if the old style of hammer and tongs be adopted; but we have no right to suppose this. We know that the Germans blundered very little, and in invading carried all before them. If, in our turn, we should be invaded or at war, it were well for us to have every joint in the harness carefully looked to beforehand, and not trust too much on such a reed as militia or volunteers would be after a "little more teaching," "some weeding out," and "embodiment." The next European war in which England is engaged, gives time for none of these processes; and not improbably the volunteer battalion, made up of scattered companies, full of half-drilled, ignorant bumpkins or mechanics, with no great-coats, paper-soled boots, and underclothing spare and worn, working as labourers in the wildest parts of Yorkshire, or the smelting works of Staffordshire, will be summoned by telegraph to join the head quarters at ----, and take part in the manœuvres deemed necessary to repel an invasion occurring or occurred on the coast. Will men then be weeded out? Will their poor papery boots, spoiled by the mud of the first ditch they are bid to hide in? Will their utter ignorance of sign or signal, of the value of keeping touch, and not acting independently, stand them instead, and they be sent to the reserve until better suitable? I trow not. They will be subjected, regular and irregular, taught and untaught, to the same murderous fire and rigorous treatment. There will be no time for selection, and the whole nation will rue the day when they were persuaded into the belief that they were not likely to be attacked, and that for offence or defence they were amply provided.