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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 93, 18 April 1878, Page 4

The story told of the Hindoo chief who said that he was not afraid of the English he saw who ruled his country but of thoae whom he could not see, is recalled to our mind by one or two things that have lately occurred- — not however, in ihe aense of causing us fear, but of inspiring us with confidence. A solitary British war-vessel tha « Wolverine,' lies in our harbor to repel a fleet that alarmist tells us are coming down upon us irom Russian, waters. We are not filled with confidence lhat ono British ship will suffice to protect us from our enemies. But lo S the scales are lifted from our vision, and we are told that forty-five vessels are scattered over this part of. the world to take care of British interests. We do not rejoice at tbe one veesel which we see, but in the multitude which we do not see, but which nevertheless, are for us a security almost as real as if they were on our shores ; and certainly a much greater cause of dread to the enemy thau the ' Wolverine ' can possibly be. Somehow Eneland's demonstrations always seem very small, though they are, nevertheless, potent, and for the very reason which frightened the Indian chief. Only six or seven warvessels confront the Russian hosts in Southern Turkey. Ytt they suffice to prevent the conqueror laying his hand on the coveted pi ize of victory. No one would Buppose that the Russians would fear this smoll fleet of vessels, powerful though they be, which holds their hand ; but behind them they see in tbe Mediterranean nineteen additional vessels ready to come up to attack, and how many more beyond they know not. Eugland's strength has aiwaya been an unmeasured quantity until it has been put forth. Ever since the days of Cresay or Agincourt she has exercised a militaiy and naval influence far beyond that whioh her size or apparent Btrength would warrant. Generally attaining victory and conquest against numbers both on the land or the sea, her achievements have given her a prestige which the victorious Russians dare not ignore in the calculation of her Btrength however small her warike demonstration may be. And whatever cavillers may say, England had never so large, so rich, and bo vigorous a population, as compared with European Slates, as at the present time. Probably there never was a period wben war would be more deprecated that it would be now ; but but certainly there never was a stage in English history when the nation was so powerful to defend her own in the conflict of arms. And it would not bea miss for us to remember tbe race from which we have sprung, aod

-*c ourselves worthy, in war as in peacej of the Imperial heritage bequeathed to our keeping.— -Sydney Echo.