We Entered The Harbour Of Bombay In The Evening Of The 29th Of
October, Too Late To Contemplate The Beauty Of Its Scenery, There
Being Unfortunately No Moon.
As soon as we dropped anchor, a scene of
bustle and excitement took place.
The boxes containing the mails were
all brought upon deck, the vessel was surrounded with boats, and the
first news that greeted our ears - news that was communicated with
great glee - was the damage done by fire to the Atalanta steamer.
This open manifestation, by the officers of the Indian navy, of
dislike to a service to which they belong, is, to say the least of it,
ill-judged. A rapid increase in the number of armed steam-vessels may
be calculated upon, while the destruction of half of those at present
employed would scarcely retard the progress of this mighty power - a
power which may alter the destinies of half the world. The hostility,
therefore, of persons who cannot hope by their united opposition to
effect the slightest change in the system, becomes contemptible.
It is a wise proverb which recommends us not to show our teeth unless
we can bite. To expose the defects of steamers, may produce their
remedy; but to denounce them altogether, is equally useless and
unwise, since, however inconvenient they may be, no person, with
whom despatch is an object, will hesitate to prefer them to a
sailing-vessel; while every officer, who takes the Queen's or the
Company's pay, should consider it to be his duty to uphold the service
which tends to promote the interests of his country.
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