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Again, the Channel Tunnel Scheme panders to the avarice of the Shareholders in it, and in the London Chatham and Dover Railway. None of the Engineers or Shareholders may have foreseen the results apprehended from the Scheme: but were they to persist in their endeavours to carry it out, after the published opinion of General Sir Garnet Wolseley of the danger to this Nation with which it is fraught; and of others by whom his opinion is said to be supported; and, lastly, the arguments herein adduced; they will, I submit, be amenable to the imputation of being most selfish, mercenary and unpatriotic; persons who would sacrifice their country in the future for their own aggrandisement at the present time.
As for the comfort of Passengers at Sea; suffice it to say, that the proper use of Brandy and Common Salt, if it be applied externally to the top of the head, so as to keep it cool; and a small quantity in hot water, taken internally; will effectually prevent Sea-sickness! It has done so with myself repeatedly! and there are little Books published upon it as a certain preventive of sea-sickness. So much for Mal de mer!
And, lastly, as to merchandise; the carriage of it must always be paid for eventually by the Consumer; and justly so!
There is, therefore, no National Gain whatever to Great Britain!!!
But, in the other scale. Great Britain has hitherto depended, under Divine Providence, upon the number and excellence of her gallant Sailors; both for safety through the Royal Navy, and for the vastness of her Commerce, and for the efficiency of her Mercantile Marine. But every Goods and every Passenger Train, carried by Rail through that Tunnel, would entail upon this country a loss in the number of British Merchant Vessels and Fast Steamers built or employed; a great loss to the Shipbuilding Trade in each case; and a further loss to this Country in the training and profitable employment of British Sailors!!
Furthermore, if this Scheme were carried into effect, it would entail upon the Nation the permanent expenses of a Force of 20,000 Troops; and them available for our defence at the mouth of that Tunnel alone, or of Forts and their garrisons in lieu of them! And, moreover, if through any false alarm, or through necessity, the Tunnel were to be blown up, as relied upon by such Enthusiasts, the British Nation, through the Government British or French, would have to pay the entire expense and profits lost both of the Tunnel and the Railways connected with it,
