Page:The Siege of London - Posteritas - 1885.djvu/38



NGLAND received France's declaration of war without manifesting any great signs of excitement at first. Men went about rather with an air of stern determination. But, nevertheless, there was some anxiety, and perhaps, in certain quarters, fears expressed; and the question was asked. Was the country in a condition to fight France? Every one felt that the quarrel must be fought out upon the high seas, where England had for so long claimed the supremacy. It would be a naval war. A deadly one, certainly, but there were no doubts as to the ultimate issues. Copenhagen, Villafranca, Aboukir, the Nile, Trafalgar, were a few of the many names which recalled to Englishmen glorious deeds, and made their blood thrill. Did not the old spirit still live, and would not the "hearts of oak" be found as tough then as in those grand old days when the might and power of the White-cliffed Island was irresistible?

Twenty-four hours later, however, a feeling of growing uneasiness made itself manifest, for the papers published reports of the remarkable preparedness of France, and that French cruisers were already skimming the seas to destroy British commerce.

All round the British coast tremendous activity prevailed. The din of rivet and hammer sounded in the dockyards. Portsmouth and Sheerness were a scene of wild excitement