X. -
27) T0 COLONEL FITZMAYER. 633

1998 to be able to discuss with you at my fireside when you 1885.
Sturn again to England, for my wife and I trust you will Zur. 51.
honour us with a visit to this picturesque and secluded part
of the country. But in the meantime I must be allowed to
BY in reference to your allusions to a regular standing
Ty, that I am nob opposed to the maintenance of a disci-Plined
 forge to serve as & nucleus in case of war, around
Which the people might rally to defend their country. But
‘here iy hardly a case to be imagined or assumed in which I
Would consent to send out a body of land forces to fight the
"attles of the continent; and last of all would I agree to
%nd such an expedition to the shores of Russia.
“There is now a general complaint that we allowed our
my to fall to too low a standard, in consequence of the
ry of the financial reformers for a reduction of the expenliture,
 1 am bound to say that if this country adopts the
bolicy of sending its armies to fight the Czar on his own
serrifory, then it is bound to keep up a force commensurate
"th the magnitude of such an undertaking. We must
become a military people like France and Austria. This
will be contrary to our traditions, and quite incompatible
"th an economical government. I am not sure that con-Stitutional
 freedom can co-exist with large standing armies.
LU know of no instance in which they have flourished to-Sother,
 However, we will adjourn the debate on this subect
 till we meet.”
“ February 11,1855. (To Mr. Bright)—You made an
*xcellent speech at the Chamber of Commerce, which ab the
Present moment will compel many men to listen to your
Warnings who have hitherto been deaf to everything but the
*Ppeals to ¢ glory and honour.”
“Did you see Cornewall Lewis’s speech ? It was a good
Yign coming from the Edinburgh Review.
“But T ean think of nothing else but the Derby-Discaeli