Page:Notes on the Anti-Corn Law Struggle.djvu/270

 It is natural that an Englishman should desire the prosperity of England. It is natural that a German should, desire the prosperity of Germany. A German may desire to make war on Russia, fancying he sees some advantage to Germany in such a proceeding, while an Englishman seeing no advantage to England in a war with Russia, may not desire to make such a war.

Indeed, if Sir W. E. Watkin were to succeed in his scheme of a Channel Tunnel, matters would be very considerably altered for the better as regards the relations of Germany towards France, inasmuch as France would then have another next neighbour, to quarrel with, which next neighbour might offer subjects of competition as well worth fighting for as Strasburg and Metz. Instead of having a pacific tendency this Channel Tunnel would carry us back to the time when we were burthened with the cost of fortifications and a garrison for Calais. Assuming that we should not resume our old desire to possess Calais, we should be by no means safe in assuming that the French would not desire to possess Dover, as some of their political writers express a desire to possess or to regain Strasburg and Metz. I know nothing farther respecting the Prince Consort's and Mr. Cobden's advocacy of the