§ EARL TALBOT moved for some further returns in connection with the steam navy. The noble Earl took that occasion to state, that as some remarks which had fallen from him upon a recent occasion had appeared to have given pain to Admiral Sir C. Napier, he was anxious to make a few observations on the subject. He did not think it at all necessary to follow the example of his gallant Friend, or to be led into any newspaper correspondence on the subject. In any observations which he had made upon that occasion, he had no wish whatever to hurt the feelings of a brother officer. He had merely alluded to the Sidon as being a vessel with which that gallant officer had had something to do; and he did so because he (Admiral Napier) had not been at all scrupulous in attacking other persons who had been engaged in building vessels, and he thought "that those who lived in glass houses ought not to throw stones." He had mentioned the case of the Sidon, as it was one of the many ships which had been built, and which, even after very expensive alterations, had not been found to answer. He might also mention that when that gallant Admiral stated that the fleet of this country was not able to cope with the French fleet, it would have been more consistent with his position as an Admiral if he had gone to the Prime Minister or the First Lord of the Admiralty, and privately explained to either of them the danger of the nation, instead of writing a public letter to the newspapers; making it public, not only in this country but also in France, He was, however, happy to say, that since he had called the attention of their Lordships to the subject, he had had conversations with several naval men on the subject, and that their opinion was that our steam fleet was a match for any steam fleet in the world.
§ Returns ordered to be laid before the House.