d not have
been the case. He could have directed the operations of his fleet by
cable. If Admiral Villeneuve had sailed to Brest (instead of Cadiz) as
he was ordered and joined Admiral Gantaume, he would have had fifty-six
ships of the line to cover Napoleon's passage from Boulogne to the
English coast. No, gentlemen, you must not think England's strategical
position unassailable. I am as confident of the superiority of our naval
forces as you are, but in these days of steam and electricity England is
no longer as safe as she was when the movement of ships depended on the
wind and orders had to be given by mounted messengers and signals."

"So you really think, General, that Napoleon's plan would have been
practicable?"

"Most certainly. Napoleon had no luck in this enterprise. In the
first place, his greatest misfortune was the death of Admiral
Latouche-Treville. If he had been in Villeneuve's place, he would most
likely have proved a competent commander. He was the only French naval
officer who could have opposed Nelson. But he died too soon for France,
and his successor, Villeneuve, was his inferior in ability. But there
are other special circumstances, more favourable to a landing in England
than in Napoleon's day. For instance--to say nothing of cable and
steam--the fact that modern transports can carry an enormously larger
number of troops. Napoleon had to fit out 2,293 vessels to transport his
army of 150,000 men and to protect the transports, had 1,204 gunboats
and 135 other armed vessels at his disposal, in addition to the
transports proper. As nearly all his ships were constructed to land
men, horses, and guns on the level beach without the aid of boats, they
wanted calm weather for crossing the Channel. They would have taken
about ten hours, with a calm sea, to reach a point between Dover and
Hastings. It is different now. The large French and German companies'
steamers are at the disposal of their Admiralties."

"And yet things are just the same as before," said Mr. Kennedy. "Victory
on the open sea turns the scale. No hostile fleet will be able to show
itself in the Channel without being destroyed by ours."

"Let us hope so!" said the General.

On the way to Aden the Caledonia only met a few ships--all English.
Several transports with troops on board and a few men-of-war passed
her; as she travelled on the average twenty-two knots an hour, no vessel
overtook her. On the morning of the sixth day the red