The Sun. — London, England, 1842-03-25 00:00:00

MEETING AT THE CROWN AND ANCHOR TAVERN. THE PROPOSED ALTERATION IN THE TARIFF A densely crowded meeting of the masters and journey men boot and shoemakers was held on Wednesday after noon, at two o'clock, in the large room of the Crown and Anchor Tavern, to take into consideration Sir Ro bert Peel's proposed reduction of the duty on foreign manufactured boots and shoes. Long before the hour named for the commencement of the business the room was thronged, and when the Chairman took his seat, there could not have been less than 2,000 persons present. Mr. THOMAS LAIDLAW took the Chair, and in doing so he congratulated himself on seeing so numerous and respectabl a meeting around him. He was well aware that there was a deep-felt anxiety and strong feeling on the subject that had called them together. He would give them a short history of the subject which had 1 nought them together, and he should trouble them with but few remarks afterwards, as there were a number of iesbluti ins, 'all of which would be spoken to by gentle men welt calculated to do justice to the subject. They were called there that day to consider the pro posed alteration in the dnty on foreign boots tnl shoes. He could see, from the deep anxiety depicted on each countenance, the intense feeling of alarm which existed amongst them. He would, before he said an other Word, tell them that that meeting was entirely com posed of boot and shoemakers. There was no other branch of the leather trade present. The present duty upon foreign boots and shoes imported into this country was 4s. 6d. a pair, and the duty upon shoes of foreign ma nufacture was 2s. per pair. The alteration proposed by her Majesty's Government was to reduce the duty on boots of foreign manufacture to 2s. Id., and shoes to Is., making the duty on shoes only one-half, and on boots less than one-half. There was one thing that struck him at that amount—and he was sure it must strike every man—the vast importance this alteration would be to the immense number engaged in the trade of boot and shoe making in London and its suburbs. There were no less than 26,000 or 30,000 persons engaged in London in boot and shoe making, and there was no less a number than 30,000 depending upon them for their daily bread. Now when any alteration in such an important branch of trade was contemplated, they ought to look to the state of the trade at that moment. He would ap peal to all present, and ask them if they—any of them—ob tained more than half employment ?—(Hear, hear, and cries of " No, no.") He was sure that there was not one there who could contradict that.—( Hear, hear.) Now what would be the consequence of reduoing this branch of the tariff, and in troducing more foreign-made boots and shoes? Why, it would throw thousands out of employment. He hoped they would obtain their object peaceably and quietly, for be was very sure that they were assembled there not to create enemies, but to make friends—friends that would help them to Garry their object—and he had no hesitation in saying that they would be, able to carry out that object, viz., that the duty on boots and shoes should remain as it was. He begged of them to give every speaker a fair hearing, and he would recommend there not to introduce any extraneous matter, and above all things to introduce no political allusions. They bad promised him upon their honour and word that no politics should be introduced.—( Here there was some confusion, and cries of " No, no.") He would tell them that they would never obtain their object if they did. He had great confidence in their honour and integrity, and he was well aware that they would never deceive him; or he.would never have taken that Chair— ( Hear, hear)—and if they, stood by him they would be sure to carry their object. Mr. GRIEVE, ofßond- street, rose to propose the first resoln tion.:That numerous meeting convinced him of the great anxiety that was felt respecting the proposed alteration of the tariff. In order that there might be no mistake, by the per mission of the Chairman he would read that part of the proposed new tariff which related to boots and shoes. The Hon. Gentleman then read that part of the proposed tariff to the meeting. There could be no difference of opinion on the proposed alteration, and that the ruin of a great propor tion of the trade would be the result. He would appeal to those in that room, and ask them if they did not experience great difficulty in contending with the foreign manufacturer under the present system of duties? He, therefore, put it to thins, what the results must be other than ruin and distress. He had that confidence in them that he was sure the proceed ings of that day would be conducted with good feeling and decorum. He begged to conclude by reading the resolution: " That this meeting, composed of masters and journeymen, en gaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, view with con siderable anxiety and alarm the tariff as proposed by her Ma jesty's Government, on the importation of boots and shoes, be lieving the proposed duties to be totally inadequate to protect the British manufacture." Mr. Sitter...lr seconded the resolution. At the first view that meeting would appear to be against free trade, and would appear strange and preposterous, for there was something in the name of free trade that told them it was great and desir able. But the circumstances of this country, under which they laboutcd, would not admit of that principle being wholly put in practice., Look at England, with her eight hundred mil lions of debt, and look at France, with her two hundred mil lions of debt ; but they had a greater number of inhabitants to pay that debt. Were they, then, in a position to compete with the. Frenchman? About four years ago, in the month of March, a statistical inquiry was made into the state of the bootmakers in London, in order to ascertain the best means of enforcing the Combination-laws. The result of that was, that the average amount of wages was seventeen shillings, and that was in one of the best months of the year to the trade. Now if the proposed reduction was carried into a law, thousands of our useful citizens would be thrown out of employment. They would, therefore, perceive the necessity of retaining the present protective duty. It behoved them to put it to her Majesty's Ministers the necessity of retaining the present duty.—( Cheers.) The resolution was then put and carried almost unanimously, only two hands being held up against it, amidst loud cheering. Mr. AI EDWIN rose to propose the next resolution. He was placed in a position in which he was afraid he should not give sa ti s f ac ti o n w them, and he was sure he should not to himself. If he required any stronger argument than another to prove that they were deeply interested in this question, that argu ment was the meeting before hint. ( Loud cheers.) He saw many brought together from their employment, and at a great sacrifice of time, for they knew that the subject was most essential to their welfare. His mo tion was two-fold it called on the home trade and the importer to aid them. Britain and her colonies formed one vast ma chine, wheel working within wheel. If the colonies suffered, Britain suffered; and if this country was distressed, the colonies would ale, feel it. The export trade was in a most deplore:tie condition, and he believed that the whole distress of the boot and shoemakers arose from the distressed condition of the co lonial trade. Great distress was prevailing in the East and West India possessions, arid also in Canada. He knew one house in the city of London which formerly employed 1,400 men in the export trade, and now their establishment only em ployed 180. This great depression in the expert trade must influence the home trade.—( blear, hear.) It had been said the average wages of the shoemaker was 17s. But they did not take into consideration that the man had to find his own grindery.—( Hear, hear, hear.) Many other artisans worked in manufactories provided for them, but the labouring shoe maker worked in his own apartment, and thus the rent of his workshop was added to his outlay for grinder]. Taking all these things into consideration, the wages would not average more than 14s. or 155., and in some cases was reduced to 10s. or 12s. ; and when they considered that those men had wives and children, and thus three persons had to live upon that scanty allowance, they would admit that this was but one degree removed from absolute starvation. Thirty year ago England manufactured for nearly the whole of the world, but now Ger many and France had risen to oppose them. The great majority of those countries used articles of a coarse description, and while Germany and France wore shoes, England wore boots.—( Laughter and cheer,. ) If this reduction in the tariff took place, many of our manufacturers would go over to France, and the 500/. they used to pay weekly for wages woo d be taken to that country, and th s would the English artis.n be compelled to seek protection in a foreign country, while his own refused it to him.— ( Hear.) The resolution he had to propose was, " That the present depressed state of the home and export trade, which has already suffered very considerably from various causes, this meeting f illy relies on her Majesty's Government still continuing such a scale of dutii s as vela afford protection to the B r iti s h manufacturer. " Mr. Davis, of Gracechurch-street, said that so much talent had been brought to bear upon the subject that very little was left for him to say. The exports to Sydney alone in the year lteto ameunted to 80,C00/. With respect to the wages of labour being only 175., he could assure them that in Northamptonshire they were working at Is. 6d. per day. Mr. Beirsow, a Chartist, then rose to propose an amend ment, amidst the most deafening up! oar. The speaker was immediately surrounded by several persons, and was attempted to be thrust from the platform. A general rush then took place, and in one moment the long tables on the platform were covered with persons. All was now one general scene of up roar and confusion. The Chairman attempted to obtain a hearing, ,bud. he only made matters worse, for the uproar increased. Things continued in this state for some time, when the following resolutions were proposed in dumb show : " That it is the opinion of this meeting the effect of the pro. posed tariff will be to throw out of employment a large por tion of the operatives engaged in the manufacture of boots ' and shoes, particularly of the lighter qualities ; and this meeting, taking into consideration the price of the necessaries et life stithis country, unanimously concur in opinion that in tie a !option of the present scale of duties they are not placed in ouch a posit ion akto compete fairly with foreign manufactures, and therefore earnestly call upon the Government to pause be fore it enacts laws so prejudici to their interests." s‘ That petitions founded on the resolutions agreed to at this meeting, be presented to Parliament from the masters and men of the city of London, Westminster, Marylebone, Finsbury, Southwark, and the Tower Hamlets, distinct and separately." t• 't hat a deputation of masters and men in each borough shall wait upon their several representatives, for the purpose of entrusting such petitions for presentation, to explain their views and solicit their exertions in their behalf." ' bile these resolutions were being read, the uproar con tinued in all its violence, and continuing for some time after, and as there was no probability of its speedy termination, our Reporters left the meeting. A geologist, who has lately travelled in the West of Fr on e has made some curious observations on the accre tions of the shores principally in Vendee and the ancient Poitou. Theii alluvial increase has been so great that the spot where an English 64-gun ship was wrecked in the niddle of last century is now the centre of a field of corn. The harbour of Pryny is dry, and the port of Rabaud, where not long ago vessels of 170 tons entered easily, is n , vv 3,000 metres from the sea. The port of St. Gilles is filing up, and the harbour of Gachere is barred. All this has occurred within a century, and has proceeded alto gether from accumulations of sand, for it has been de m nistrated by numerous observations made at Brest that no change has taken place on the coasts of France of the level of the Ocean. AGNES STRICKLAND' S LIVES OF TEE QUEENS OF ENGLAND.—We are requested to state that the fourth volume of Miss Strickland's "Lives of the Queens of England," comprising the Queens of Henry VIII., price los. 6d., boun 3, with illustration s, is puhqshed this day by Mr. Colburn, of Great Marlborough-street, and may now 1 e had of all booksellers. Mr. Colburn has ako just pub lished the following new works :—I. Th e second vo lume of Madame D'Arblay's Diary and Letters.-0. Lieutenant-Colonel Napier 's Excursions along the Shores of the Mediterranean, 2 vols., small Bvo.-3. Madame de Sevigne and her Contemporaries, 2 vole., sma ll Bvo.-4. Captain Fane's Five Years in. India. 2 vols. 8 vo., with numerous illustration6.7 -s Frederick the Great. his Court and Times, edited by Thomas Campbell, a p, Bvo.-6. Lieutenant-C olonel Maxwell's Run through N c i -4 United States, 2 vols., small Bvo.-7. Adventures of --r an Actor, 'comprising a picture of the French Stage du ring,t,a period of fifty years, edited by Theodore Hook,-Esq.,' 2 3,•015 . ..;16 bourd.. Her Majesty's Royal Maundy was distributed at two o'clock y ester d ay a f ternoon, in Whitehall Chapel, to the a'ed poor recipients of the Royal bounty. THE WEATHER.—Noox, MARCH 24. ROYAL GALLERY OF SCIENCE, ADELAIDE-STREET Thermometer... 40 Highest 44 1 Lowest 29 Barometer 30.26.—Wind N.—Freezing Point 2.2 Deg. * 4_,Lau, 4 0 , _ • N.° S v pH (ft o MRS. TROLLOPE'S NEW NOVEL. Just ready, in. 3 vols., post Bvo., T HE WARD OF THORPE COMBE. By Mrs. TROLLOPE. Author of " The Widow Barnaby," " One Fault," &c. Richard Bentley, New Burlington• street. Just ready, in l vol. post Bvo., NARRATIVE OF THE SECOND CAMPAIGN IN CHINA. By KEITH STEWART MACKENZIE, Esq. - Late Military Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief. Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street. Publisher in Ordinary to her Majesty. NEW WORK BY J. FENIMORE COOPER, ESQ. Just ready, in 3 vols. post Bvo. E TWO ADMIRAL S. A TALE OF THE SEA. By J. FENIMORE COOPER, Esq., Author of " The Pilot," " The Deeralayer," Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street. •*• To be had at all the Libraries. NEW PERIODICAL WORK, BY THE AUTHOR OF "STORIES OF WATERLOO." In Monthly Parts (not to exceed Eighteen) Price One Shilling each, with characteristic Engravings, by Dick Kitcat, the First Part to appear with the Magazines at the end of March. THE FORTUNES OF HECTOR O'HALLORAN, By W. H. MAXWELL, Esq. Author of " Stories of Waterloo," " Wild Sports of the West," &c. Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street ; John Cumming, Ormond-quay, Dublin; Bell and Bradfute, Edinburgh ; Grapal, Liverpool. THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN. UNDER the MANAGEMENT of MADAME VESTRIS. ON EASTER .MONDAY, MARCH 28. Will be repeated, in Two Acts, with additions, Milton's Masque of COMUS.—Comus, Mr. W. Harrison; First Bacchante, Madame Vestris; the Lady, Mrs. Walter Lacy; Elder Brother, Mr. J. Vin ing ; Syrens, Madame Vestris and Miss Rainforth; Cupid, Miss Dowton ; Euphrosyne, Madame Vestris; Sabrina, Miss Rainforth. To which will be added t e Comedy of SIMPSON AN D CO. After which will be produced a Grand Romantic Fairy Extrava ganza, entitled THE WHITE CAT. Doors open at half.past six, anu the Performances begin at Seven. Dress Boxes 75., Second Price 3s. 6d •; First and Second Circles 55.. Second Price Is. 6d.; Pit 35., Second Price ; Gallery Is. Tickets and Places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr. Grogan, at the Box-of fice, from Ten till Four, where Season Tickets may be had upon ap plication. Private Boxes to be had solely of Mr. Andrews, Book seller, 167, New Bond-street. 77:111GH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE THIS DAY. Horning 37 minutes after 0 I Evening 3 minutes after I. %nn, LONDON! FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 25, 1842. It is evident, from Sir ROBERT PEEL'S speech, on Wednesday, and from the proceedings of the House of Commons, that he derives much countenance and support from the indiscreet friends of free trade and reduced taxation. When he wanted a witness to the excellence of his tariff, he called forward. Dr. BowalNo—when he required a certificate of honesty and boldness, he referred to Mr. ROEBUCK. If he wished to heap coals of fire on the heads of our spirited friends, Mr. COBDEN and Mr. T. DUNCOMBE, he had only to quote the words and the example of Mr. VERNON SMITH and Lord HowlcK. In justice to the cause we espouse, and to the honest men by whom it was defended, we feel bound ter animadvert on the conduct of those who seem to us, undesignedly we hope, to have betrayed it. We have in general a great respect for Lord HOWICK, because we believe him to be honest, and we know him to be industrious. It is notorious, however, that the Noble Lord is self-willed and narrow-minded, and both these unamiable characteristics were exhibited in his con demnation of the noble minority for the determination to resist Sir ROBERT PEEL'S scheme to the utmost. If a minority is not to exert its power to stop a noxious pro ject why was it bestowed on them ? That a more un called tor and mischievous scheme than the income tax was ever submitted to Parliament, or ever attempted to be carried through by more unwarrantable means we do not believe. It is precisely such a case as justifies those who object to it in using the forms of the House to delay and defeat it. If Lord ‘Howtex did not take this view of it he might have been contented to vote with the Tories, but he denounced those who did, and threatened them with the confiscation of the privilege of the House, because they were abusing it. His Lord ship thinks more of men in office than of the public liberties, and is ready to sacrifice the bulwarks of the Constitution to the eonvenierke of statesmen. Let us reply to Lord Ho vvxcx.'s threat that the House of Com mons would find it necessary to take away the privilege of a minority, as it had put an end to :peaking on petitions, by saying that whenever the House of Com mons shall carry it into execution, it will become a mere tax-imposing tool of a despicable oligarchy, and will soon thereafter be laid aside by the people as a publi c nuisance. The electors of Sunderland, who are not favourable to an income tax, and to a tax on coals, should give Lord HOWICK a hint of their opinions: As to Mr. VERNON SMITH, though he held some subordinate office in the Whig Administration, his words never carried any weight, and we shall not make his folly of importance, by deeming it worthy of a corn mont. If the electors of Northampton wish for a hol low and insincere opposition to the income tax, they should praise Mr. V. SMITH for censuring the minority. Mr. ROEBUCK takes, we have no doubt sincerely, a very different view from ours, when he describes Sir ROBERT PEEL'S scheme as straightforward and honest. Sir ROBERT showed how much he needed such a commendation by the frequency and em phasis with which he quoted it. The tariff is a part of Sir R. PEEL'S scheme, and that is so straight forward and honest that the Right Hon. Baronet him self gives different accounts on different dais of its pro bable effects. As a whole the scheme is a despotic at tempt to enable a large Tory majority, to whom Sir It PEEL is a necessity, to fix a new and onerous tax on the people. Its honesty is something like that of a bold bandit, who can plunder in safety. It is about on a par with the honesty of BONAPARTE, when, from a love of power, he incorporated Holland with France, or placed his brother on the throne of Spain. As we conceive Mr. ROEBUCK'S praise to be unjust, we must insist, that for the interest of the free trade party, it was very ill timed. We agree in the main with him, that direct taxation is right in principle, and if Sir R. PEEL had proposed to substitute a comprehensive and equitable direct tax, foe other taxes, setting trade free, he would have expe rienced no opposition from us ; but he proposes to in flict an income tax on us, in addition to all the other taxes which now crush the people. As Mr. T. DUNCOMBE justly said, he meant to console the working classes, whom he would not relieve, by reducing the middle classes to their level. That design, cunningly carried out, has charms for Mr. ROEBUCK. He even became, in his admiration of Sir ROBERT PEEL'S boldness, the defender. of an inquisition by the State into every man's private affairs. That between men who deal one with another—that between bankers and their clients, between the wholesale and the retail dealer, be tween the merchant and the broker—there should be a correct knowledge ofeach parties' circumstances is highly desirable ; that no man should assume any false appear ance of wealth, to cozen other men is to be wished ; but, between the vigilantes of individuals watching over the conduct of one another, which is indispensable in all the transactions of life, and is the basis of all correct confi dence, and the enfcrced prying of tax-path' rers, dragging into public day all that men seek to conceal, often making a temporary misfortune an irre deemable ruin, there is all the difference which exists between the inevitable - course of nature, and a great calamity inflicted on us by the self-will or the ambitions of our fellow creatures. Men may be unable to stop or guide the mountain torrent which desolates their fields, and carries off their grain and their flocks, but that is a poor reason for breaking down a dam, and turning such a torrent over their land. For a Radical, on any pretext of the advantage of publicity, to defend the prying inquisition of the State into private concerns, adds to our conviction that no man is to be trusted to regulate or control the public liberties when • ever he is the victim of a theory. Mr. ROEBUCK acted consistently with his speech, and his name is not to be found in the minority. He is so delighted, apparently, with Sir ROBERT PEEL's bold plan, that he did not vote to delay and defeat it. It must have been highly gratifying to Dr. BOWRING to hear Sir R. PEEL quote him as " a great authority," as Sir ROBERT never, that we recollect, thought the Doctor's words of any weight before. But we trust he will have to set off against the tickling delight of Sir R. PEEL'S flattery the rough expostulation of the men of Bolton. Dr. BownING, let us say at once, properly voted against Sir R. PEEL, and in so far served our cause better than Mr. ROEBUCK ; but he was not called on to praise the tariff. In one report Dr. BOWRING is made to say that it was a great. improvement, because it allowed butter and cheese to come in at reduced duty ; but in the version of that imperfect and erroneous docu ment which we have consulted, the duties on butter and cheese, except when imported from our own colonies, remain unaltered. - - The tariff, considering that Sir ROBERT PEEL esta blishes, for the first time, a long string of differential duties—doing what he can, therefore, to discourage trade between England and other countries, in order to secure a colonial trade, which, were he not to meddle with it, would naturally, like the trade between Ireland and England, be conducted on the most advantageous terms possible for both countries—is really a disgrace to the • statemanship of the age. It runs counter, with some trifling exceptions, to all principle, and though we might have pardoned Sir ROBERT PEEL for not meddling with the tariff we cannot pardon him for meddling with it to re enact and extend in the year 1842, a series of restrictions, which all sound principles condemn. 1)r. BOWRING'S praise of Sir R. PEEL'S tariff was unwarranted, but that Sir R. PEEL prised it as a voucher is evident by the emphasis with which he quoted it. We make these remarks with no hostility to the gen tlemen named, but to show them and the public how necessary it is to be on our guard against the plausible and wily man who has undertaken to conduct the affairs of this great empire on the abominable principle of making and allowing one class to plunder another by means of legislation. It is contrary to the manners of the age to use violence and practise torture. No man need now be apprehensive in England of being placed on a fire to be roasted, in order to compel hini to give up his wealth. The living representatives of the ancient Barons have fallen on a much more quiet and much less revolting means to attain a similar end. They make a Corn-law ; they impose an income tax, and the dread or the love of the law serves exactly the same purpose as the gridiron and the fire served RICHARD and his Paladins. They act by cunning, not violence ; and we complain of Dr. BOWRING and Mr. ROEBUCK, that they, being appointed guardians of the people, do not see through this cunning, and encourage its present prime agent, by praising his schemes as bold and honest, and their probable results as of public advantage. It is generally said that each person should contribute to the State in proportion as he derives advantage from it. The Tories adopt this principle, and conclude, therefore, that every man who has an income of 150/ a-year should pay a per tentage of his income to the State. But if an income tax is to be levied on this principle, it becomes necessary to inquire whether the incomes of all classes are equally derived from and equally protected by the State. It is clearly not just on this -principle to take the same amount of income from those classes who are en riched by the State, and from those who know little or nothing of the State but through the tax-gatherer. The State, for example, by that law which, as Lord STANLEY has avowed, keeps up the price of corn, in. creases the farmer's receipts and the landlord's rents ; but it diminishes by so much the income of the merchant and the manufacturer ; and the Statf, therefore, by not equally protecting the incomes of these classes has not a just claim to an equal share of each. Again the State performs the same office for the tithe-owner as for the land-owner ; and not only levies for behoof of the tithe-owner, the whole tax of tithe-on the people, but en hances its amount by the Corn-law. Surely it will not be said that an income of 2001. a year reduced by the 'taxes of the State from 250/, to bestow that 501. on the tithe•owner should pay an equal tax to an income of 2001. derived exclusively from the action of the State ? , Mr. ROEBUCK alluded very feelingly on Wednesday evening to those incomes, professional and others, which are created, as it were, by a man's talents and mental energies ; but of these shall the artist, who is indebted to the State for no species of monopoly, pay the same amount as the lawyer, who is protected by the State in the possession of a rigid monopoly of all the busi ness of the Courts ? It is not by their own power, but by that of the State, that Inns of Court are enabled despotically to exclude a HARVEY and a WOOLER from their privileges, and that their members enjoy a monopoly of all the emoluments to be obtained from practising the law ? Should it be said that artists have been patronised and fostered by the State ; that it purchases pictures and establishes galleries for the cultivation of art, let us ask what benefit the State confers on newspaper proprietors and editors ? What portion of their income is derived from the action of the State ? It takes away their property by a stamp, and curses them with an incomprehensible libel law, which places them at the mercy of every rascally at torney. It does not give them a single farthing, either directly or indirectly, as it gives an income to the tithe owner, an increase of income to the land-owner, and a monopoly of a certain aggregate income to the members of the Inns of Courts. Some few manufacturers, not many, may derive a por tion of their incomes from a protection accorded to their production, but the bulk of the manufacturers, all the merchants, and all the shopkeepers, on whom the inqui sitorial powers of the income tax will exclusively fall, create all their incomes by their own labour, and their own exertions, and derive not one farthing from the action of the State. The same fact holds good of the bulk of the working classes ; they contribute largely already to the taxes ; they maintain the servants of the State ; they pay the tax levied for behoof of the priest and the landlord ; but they derive no income whatever from the acts of the State, and ought pot, therefore, on the prin ciple we set out by quoting, to be called upon to pay as large proportion of their income to the State, as those Whose inco:nes are wholly or chiefly derived from its operatiot • If it be said that the State protects the merchant, the manufacturer, the shopkeeper, and the newspaper pro prietor, in the enjoyment of those incomes they create by their own industry, let it be noted that it equally extends that protection to those incomes which it creates by law as to those which are created by industry. There are not a few incongruities about an income tax, but none appear to us more glaring than those which result from adopting the principle that each should contribute to the State in proportion to the advantages it confers on him, and from considering the sources of the incomes of different classes. In yielding to the determination of the minority in the House of Commons on Wednesday night, to postpone till after Easter the resolution upon the income tax, Sir R. PEEL spoke in a petulant strain of the factious opposition offered to his new financial scheme. Regarded apart from every other consideration, there is something amaz ingly suspicious in the excessive eagerness of the Right Hon. Baronet to pledge the country to the adoption of the principle of. this inquisitorial impost. The concoc tion of this nostrum cost him six months' labour, as evidenced by his draughts for salary upon the Treasury ; and yet he loses his temper because it is proposed that the country shall have as many days to choose whether nr not it would be prudent to swallow it without limita. tion of quantity.' Now we will tell Sir R. PEEL that the rules of the house of Commons, which enable an honest minority to defeat the designs of a tyrant Ministerial majority, were intended for such cases as that of the income tax. They were designed to give an honest minority the power of preventing the country from being taken by surprise by the perfidy of a ma jority ready, at the beck of the Minister of , the day, to vote away their liberties, or their property, or both. As the whole weight of the • income tax must fall upon the middle and industrious classes out of doors, the minority in the House of Commons very properly and patriotically resolved that the tax should not be imposed before time was allowed for the legitimate expression of public opi nion respecting it. This is carrying out the princple of the representation, and is deserving of the praise of every party in the country. We are not, however, surprised at the petulant irrita tion of the Right Hon. Baronet. His pet scheme of . trade taxation is in imminent danger of being altogether rejected. Short as is the time allowed for the expression of public opinion against his nostrum, many Members, who voted in the majority last night, next week will shrink from assisting him to administer it. Petitions against the inconie tax are getting up in every part of the country, and every hour adds to the public hatred of this measure. In one of these petitions from the Bankers, Merchants, Traders, and other inhabitants of the city of Norwich, among other weighty objections to such an imp ost , i t i s truly ob served that it would ".inflict the deepest injury on the industry of those engaged in trade and commerce, and front the inquisitorial process adopted in levying its would cause a most injurious exposure of the affairs of individuals ; destroy that confidence which is so essen tial to the prosperity of trade ; and surround our coin mercial transactions with an intricate web of espionage, disgraceful to a Government based on constitutional principles." The same petitioners, in an Address to the Queen, whose readiness to share the burden of taxation with her people endears her to every class of her sub jects, humbly submit to her MAJESTY, that an income tax appears to them only justifiable as a last re source in a period of extreme danger and distress, and that there is nothing in the present state of the nation which requires its imposition. A series of resolutions, passed at a meeting of the Reformers of Bradford, to the same effect, are also now before us. In one of them, it is resolved, that " before the imposition of an income tax, every other source of revenue ought to have been exhausted ; and that so long as the real property of the country, passing by descent, entail, or by will, has not yet been called upon to contribute to the exigencies of the State, and in the absence of a liberal commercial policy, affecting sugar and timber and corn, it is highly unjust and impolitic to add to the burdens of a class already overburdened by the operation of partial and unjust laws." The, language of the Reformers of Brad ford and the Bankers and Merchants (of Norwich forms the burden of a heap of letters and addresses now before us from all parts of the country. The Minority in Parliament has nobly done its duty. It is now for the country to step forward, and assert the principles of its handful of honest Representatives. Remember that PEEL'S pill-b ox diff ers ma t er i a lly from PANDORA'S—there is not even hope a t th e bottom. We have received the whole of the Paris Journals of Tuesday. Their contents are of no political importance. Some Journals speak this morning of the resignation of the THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY MORNINC-r, MARC!] 25, 842 Minister of Agriculture and Commerce. This news is en tirely unfonnded.—Moniteur, March 22. PARIS, Maacii 22.—The Moniteur of this morning has no official part. Intelligence from St: Petersburg of the 15th instant, in the lirurzburg Gazette, states that the late disturbances in that city are t4.tally void of truth. fhe Siecle says—" It is reported that the Ministry, intimi dated by the demonstrations of the seaports, and the irritation which has spread in a considerable portion of the Chamber, and of the electoral body, will, on Wednesday . next, or at least in one of the next sittings, bring down a project of law on the sugar question. It will propose to continue the present state of things for another year, but the explanatory memorial is to contain a formal promise that at the opening ref the session for 1843 a new project of law shall be presented, which will finally decide on the existence of our beet-root manufactures." — Commerce. BUURSE-PARIB, MONDAY, MARCH 21. burst Highest Lowest Last Price Price. Pric. Pric•. French 5 per Cent' ll7 6 1 ... 117 60 ... 1.7 60 ... 117 6 , 1 4 per Cents 10; 5C ... 101 511 ... 101 50 ... 101 50 3 per Cent• Hank of prance Laltltte Bank 1.0001. St arcs 1080 ...1020 ...1020 ...IC2 i 5,00 0 1. 'hares 5050 ...5050 ...50 0 ...5010 delelan Rank 1811 l l6 'l ...1060 ...it 61 ...1060 Belgian 5 per Cents. 5 per Cents., 1840 106% ... 106, ... 106% ... 106% Spanish Active 1:5% ... 85% ... 25% ... :5% Passive 5% ... 5% ... 5% .. 5% New Deferred Neapolitan wayi 165 W 106 i BAILWAI SHARES. St. Germain ........ 847 50 ... 847 50 ... 847 50 ... 847 50 Versatiles.tt. is 350 350 ... 950 ... 350 L.B !town 515 525 525 ... b 25 (Jrleap . 563 75 ... 563 75 ... 563 75 ... 563 75 Montpellier to Cette Sir..horgt., Bite 242 50 ... 242 50 .. 242 50 ... 242 SO FRANKFORT, MARCH 19.—Our fair is now very lively, and promises to be a very geod one. Large purchases have already been made in fine woollen cloths, silks, and fashionable goods, and some other descrip tions of goods are quite cleared off. The number of foreigners is very •great. A fatal accident oc• curred on the 18th, on board the Druses steam boat, near Hittdorf. A leak was sprung in the boiler, by which means the steam and boiling water penetrated into the machine-room unfortunately- just at at the time when all persons not on duty were assem bled to take some refreshment, so that many persons were injured. —Dutch Papers, March 23. ST. PETERSBURGH, MARCH 11.—Exchange on London. 3 months, 38 pence.—J our Hal de St.Petersburgh, Mar. 12. DUTCH FUNDS..-ASISTERIMItI, MARCH 12. honey. nill. Actual D,, b t, 23y per Cent Jitto, ditto 5 per cent. Amen Svndic,4% per cent itz ii 93 Ditto, ditto, 3% per ceht - 76h . i Commercial Company, 404 per cent 156 IMN Ditto (1835 and 11;37) 5 per cent. Loan 1837, 5 per cent. 9S 99 Exchange on London, One month 1:: 15 Two months Hamburgh, One month 35 41% Two months 33 18.3, Dutch Papers, March 23. HAMBURGH BORSENHALLE, MARCH 19. rills. Money. Austrian 5 per Cents. Bank Shares 1677 _ A nglo-Russian Lean llO 109 1 4 Russian 5 per Cent., lit series, Certificate ,03% 103 - Inscription, Ist series . Russian 5 per Cent. Hope and Co., 3d and 4th Series .... Ditto in Certificates New 4 per t ent. (1840) 8 ' 341 8 ' % Dutch Actual Debt, :.% per Cent. ......... - 5138 51 Ditto 5 per Cent. -. .. . - . .__. . Polish Bonds ..... ICB New Tickets Anglo.llarnsh Loan, 3 per Cent. 784 ;IN Spanish, New 5 per Cents. IN /illbTkilAN FUNDS..—VIENNA, MARCH 15. taveper Coats. Metalliques FOUT per Cents. lon ~3 Three pa . Cents. Bank Shares MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS. CITY, THURSDAY EVENING. The absence of any particular reason for influencing the funds, and the near approach of that period when a partial secession .of business occurs, have caused the transactions in the Stock Markets to be extremely small to-day. The quantity of capital unemployed, and the want of means in which to invest, other than our own securities, occasioned prices to be firmly maintained. Consols for Money closed at 891 1, and at 891 1 for the Account ; Exchequer Bills, 27 29 prem. The price of Belgian was 103 to 104 ; Brazilian, 70 to 71 ; Danish, 811 to 821 ; Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents., 52 to 1, and the Five per Cents., 103 to 1. The quotation of Spanish was 241 to a ; Mexican, 411 to 1 ; and Colombian, 26 to 1. Birmingham Railway Shares were quoted 85 to 87 prem. ; Great Western, 26 to . 27 prem. ; South Western, 59 to, 60 ; North Midland, 69 to 71 per share ; Black wall, 11 to 1 ex-div., and Eastern Counties, 131 to 124 discount. The holidays in the Colonial Market commenced to day, and will not terminate until the 30th inst., business will, of course, be suspended during the interval. (From The Sun of Last ICight.) The improvement in the English Stocks, noticed tl have occurred yesterday afternoon, is maintained to-day, although the amount of business is very limited, owing to the approach of the holidays. Consols are 89/ for money, and 891 for the Account. India Stock 240't0 241 for money; India Bonds 8 to 10; and Exchequer Bills, 27 to 29 premium. In the Foreign Market bargains have been principally con fined to Mexican, ;lie quotation for which has been slightly advanced, being now 41i to 41 1 , ; Portuguese, 34i; and Spanish, 24* 4. The price of the Two-and-a-Half per Cent. Dutch Stock is 52k, and the Five per Cent. 103* *; Belgian Five per Cents. 104, and Russian, 112%. An inquiry has existed for Railway Shares, but few have as yet been sold. New North Midland are 34 ; South Western, 59 1 , ; Great North of England, 87 ; Brighton 36, and Bir mingham Quarter Shares 36. The adjournment of the House of Commons, without coming to a decision upon the question now before it, coupled with the announcement that the consideration of the tariff will not be immediately pressed, has given much satisfaction in the City. LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, MARCH 23.—The Market was very flat, and the sales only amounted to 3,000 bales, at prices which, though not lower, were more in favour of purcha sera. The transactions comprise -400 Surats, at 3d. to 4i. ; 50 Egyptian, 7d. to 70. ; 20 Bahia, at 6d. ; 2,530 American, at 44-d. to 74. LIVERPOOL SHARE MARKET, MARCH 23.—A moderate business was done in the following Shares at the prices quoted. Great Western and Eastern Counties were, however, in moat request. London and Birmirgham Quarter Shares, 35%; Manchester and Leeds, 78 9-10; North Midlands, Thirds, 223; Eastern Counties, Debentures, 101. 12s. Bd. ; the New ditto,_ 41. ss. 2d. ; Great Western, 91 ; the Halves, 63g. MANCHESTER STOCK EXCHANGE, MARCH 23.—Our market to-day has been less firm, and late prices barely sup. ported. South Western, 593; New Eastern Counties, 11. 16e. 3d. prem. ; Lancaster and Prest m, Three Quarter Shares, 14%; Bank of Manchester, 31. 3s. 9d. ; Manchester and Liverpool District Bank, 103 and 10i. CLOSING PRICES BRITISH FUNDS. Bank Stock lndia Stock ..... 241 3 per Cent Red. !Ditto Bonds lopm 3 per Cent Cens B9i Ditto Old Annuities ... 3i per Cent Red.. New 3i per Cent New 5 per Cent.. Ditto 5001........ 27 pm Long Annuities ~oexpire Ditto Small 29 pm Jan. 1860 ..... •.... Bank Stock for Acct — Oct 1859. ........ India Stock for Acct.... Jan. 1860. FOREIGN FUNDS. Austrian, 5 pa& rent Portuguese, 5 per cent. Belgi.n, 5 pei cent lO3l ;Ditto, New Ditto 34* Brazilian 80ng5.... - 'Prussian, 5 per cent. Buenos Ayres 6 rer cext Russian, 5 per cent..... 1124 Chilian 6 per cent... •. Ditto, Metallic... ... . Colombian, 6 per cent.. Spanish, S per cent 241 Ditto, 1824.. ....... ..... 26 Ditto, Deferred.... . Danish, 3 per cent ... French, 5 per cent. —t. —e. Greek, 1825,5 per cent. Exchange f —c. Mexican, 5 per rent.... 414 French, 3 per cent —". —c Ditto, 6 per cent. 1837 Dutch, 24 per cent.. 52* Peruvian,lB2s,s per ct. Ditto, 5 per cent. .. . 103 k SHARES. Bristol :.nil Exeter (70 paid) ~ ... .. 39i Eastern Counties Railway (23 paid) .... — Ditto Debentures ( paid) .... .......• —lll 4s 2d Great North of England Railway (100 pd) 87 Great Western Railway (65 paid) 92 Ditto Fifth (4 paid) ... 10i London and Brighton (50 paid) 3si London and Birmingham (90) .. .. ••• Ditto Quarter Shares (15 paid) 361 London and South Western - London and Croydon Railway (Trunk) l3* Manchester and Leeds (70 paid) ... .. 81 Ditto Quarter Shares ( 2 paid) 4* Midland Counties Railway (100 paid) North Midland Railway (IOU) Ditto New Shares (40 paid) 34 York and North Midland (50 paid) ... COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT. ( FROM OUR OWN ODRIUMPONIMIXT.) MARCH 23.—The Spanish brig Amiable Rosanita, from Ha vannah for Hamburg!), came up last night in distress, having re ceived damage in a hurricane, and been obliged to throw part of her cargo overboard. This morning, in getting under weigh to come into harbour to repair, before sufficient sail was got upon her, a squall from the nt.rth.west drove her on shore, between the rocks, broadside on to the westward of the entrance of the harbour, oppo. site Earl De Grey's villa ;:the tidenearly left her at low water. She does not appe a r to have received any damage y et, but as there is a ledge of rocks on each side of her, she is in a dan g erous si tuati o n. There are a number of men employe d li g htenin g her, and three barges lying off, ready em . toAi Many yput expect alongside th at a a s ssuooffinciaesntth quantityere is suffi cientinto water for th to float off next tide. The pilot is considered highly to blame for b y lishment not having more able assistance with him as the Spanish crew could not understand him, nor he them. injured The English ship Providence, Captain Williams, having repaired damages, will sail for Aden to-morrow. ISLE OF WIGHT BANKING COMPANY, public c e e f o a n il fi u d re en o c f e K , t i h rk a p t a t t h ri e ck s o o th s e e r ri e o s u t s a l h t as he could not be kept in circulation, and at a meeting of the prin cipal capitalists in the island, at the Bugle Inn, Newport, on the 21st inst., it was resolved to form an Isle of Wight Banging Company, in shares of 1001. each, and that Messrs. Roe and Blashford, bankers, should be requested to join it, and under take the conducting of it, which they accepted. Since Novem ber their circulation has been reduced from 36,0001. to a nomi 'nsotßesankof mai one 5,0001., but really not one—the notes being sent in as fast as circulated. The numercus failures liming entirely destroyed all confidence in local paper, particularly of private banks and joint-stock are thought I.ttle better of as the Share holders are unknown. and may be all men of straw, we vould advise the proposed Company if they wish to - secure the con fidence of the public to have a list of the Shareholders posted up in their cash offices, that every depositor or holder of their paper may see on vibe . security he is doing business. Albany Barracks are fitting with all possible dispatch for the reception of 1,400 troops. The St. Helena Regiment will be the first occupants, they only wait its being ready far their reception ; the security of newly raised troops in these barracks must be grea er than in any o ther—desertion is next to im possible. The facility of embarking. is also very great. The worst part of the voyage is also saved that from the Downs. GREAI NORTH OF ENGLAND RAILWAY. Traffic returns for the week, ending March 19, 1842: --- - -- Passengers Merchandise 473 11 2 £1,175 18 8 Darlington, March 23. W. O'BRIEN, Secreliirr ~C. sUriM'AY OF MEWS AND iisHalthr Optima. " Who runs may read." FOREIGN. The original columns of the Paris Journals of Tuesday morning are nearly engrossed with articles on the sugar question. They do not, however, enter so much upon the merits of the contest be.. tween the beet-root manufacturers and the planters, as upon the expediency or otherwise of a postponement of the solution which, they say, is equally desired by both parties. The Archbishop of Paris, in compliance with the instructions of the Pope, has just addressed a pastoral letter to the clergy of France, desiring that prayers may be put up for the Church of Spain., The letter states, that Spain, once the most zealous country for the de. fence of Catholic Union, is now menaced with separation from the Holy See, and that the Catholic religion is exposed to the attacks of discord and impiety. The Moniker Parisien says that what is intended by the con templated further reduction of the army is to prolong indefinitely the eonges, leaving the men liable to be called on, if required, at any period during their legal time of service. P MIMIC OPINION. The Post says:—" The income tax is not enormous. It is not as if the tax-collector came in to sweep away a halt, or a quarter, or even a tenth. He asks but sevenpence in the pound. Un doubtedly this must bear more hardly upon those whose income is comparatively small, and who have a great deal with it ; but this sriu , t be the case with any tax. The inequality is less in the income tax than in any other." The Herald observes, with reference to the income tax :—" Sir Robert Peel ought to have been convinced, by the expressions of opinion which were made by several of his own supporters, that-a modification of his proposal is most desirable. There was from be hind the Treasury benches a very general denunciation of the in justice and odiousness of a tax on income, and though the Right Hon. Baronet is not threatened by secession from the ranks which enable him to beat down political and factious opposition, he must by this time clearly sec that much of the support which he receives is from hands and not from hearts—is given from compulsion and not with free will—is accorded from considerations of party ne cessity, and not from mental conviction. Such support, no one knows better than the Premier, is most dangerous to placereliance on. The Times contains the following remarks, suggested by the late debates in the French Chambers:—" If the commercial policy of England was really that jea ou, and tyrannical monster which the readers of the French newspapers believe it to be, France might have no difficulty in detaching the minor maritime States from all intercourse with us. But it happens, that in spite of the restric. tive character of some part of our commercial laws, we have al. ready ',lamed relations of some hundred years' standing with most of' )hese minor Powers, and consequently they have been the last to surrender and the first to resume the alliance of England when all Europe was forced into t league against us." The following is from the Chronicle :—" The feature most striking in--the discussion on the income tax is the determination of the Tories to avoid taking any part in it. There can be little difficulty in discovering their motive. They know that an income tax never can be made palatable to the country, and that to advo cate it in the House would excite the indignation of their consti tuents. Besides, the financial plan of Sir Robert Peel leaves hardly a single interest in the country untouched; and the Tory Members know that they cannot open their mouths on the subject of it with. out being liable to misconception, and consequently making ene. mies. Under such circumstances, it is not at all surprising that they should remain obstinately silent, and allow the discussion to be one-sided." NAVAL AND 1V11137.1A12,1r. The 78th Ross.shire Buffs, which is one of the regiments to be augmented to 1,000, and under orders to proceed to India speedily, has received an increase of seventy volunteers from the 72d Regt. ~raw Bzv7D POLICE, A Cambridge University gyp, named William Day, was tried at the Assizes there on Tuesday, charged with having stolen from the dwelling-house of the Rev. Ralph Tatham a tin box, containing cash and notes to the amount of 2,600/., in July last. The Jury at once acquitted him, to the great joy of the audience. Thomas Harris, indicted for the wilful murder of his mother-in law, Mrs. Williams, at Whixall, by the admixture of arsenic in some dumplings, whereby her death was occasioned, after full in. vestigation of the case at the Shrewsbury Assizes, on Tuesday last, was declared by the Jury " Not Guilty." The bankruptcy case of Messrs. Williams and Mottram, the late extensive linen-drapers of Wood-street, Cheapside, came on before Mr. Commissioner Evans, at Basinghall.street, on Wednesday. Among the disclosures made, was that of selling goods to a very large amount, greatly under prime cost, to raise money at times of pressure. Their debts and liabilities arc estimated at 100,0001., and their assets are expected to reach to only 10,0001. The pro ceedings are at present adjourned for the production of books and papers. On two wretched women being brought before Sir P. Laurie, at the Mansion House, on Wednesday, charged with having threatened to break windows, it was stated by Gooch, the turnkey of the Gilt spur.street Compter, that for twenty-two years he had never seen that place of refuge in so crowded a state. Captain Kingdade, the Go. vernor of Bridewell, stated by letter, that in that prison from 40 to 50 persons were obliged to lie upon the floor. Whitecross.ttreet is equally crowded to excess. Jones Jones was executed at Mansfield, for the murder of Mary Hallam, on Tuesday morning last. At Bow-street, on Wednesday, Charles Clarke, an attorney, was held to bail, himself in 4001., and two sureties of 15 01 . each, to take his trial for appropriating to his own use the sum of 84/. 175., entrusted to him. by Mrs. Hartley, of Upper Grosvenor.street, to pay a quarter's rent. LITERALS AND sczzni•Txrxv. Dr. Burney possessed the largest known collection of newspapers, comprising rare series of these periodicals from the year 1603 to 1818, amounting in the whole to 700 volumes, and valued at 1,000 guineas. THEATMCCJI.L. The season at Covent-garden Theatre will be brought to a close on the 29th of April. SPOILT7NG. A steeple chase, for a large sum and sweepstakes, comes off on Tuesday next, at Storeton. A prize fight between two worthies named Tom Angelo, of Windsor, and Jack Bradshaw, of Eton, took • place on Tuesday near Windsor, in which the latter after nine rounds was carried out of the field. COURT-rBSIIXON/1.73X.Z. The Duke of Rutland has returned to Belvoir Castle from town, The Duchess Dowager of Bcdfoid intends remaining at Naples ur.til June. The ',Marquis and Marchioness of Anglesea have delayed their departure for the Continent for a few weeks. The Earl and Countess Cowper have left town for Pansangor, Hants. The Countess Dowager of Essex leaves Paris on Monday next for Beisrave-square. MISCELLANEOUS. 4 On Tuesday last, the boiler of the Telegraph steamer exploded off Helensburgh, in the Clyde, when sliteen lives were lost, and more than ten persons severely wounded YEsterday was the anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth, in 1603; also of the death of John Evelyn, the author of the " Sylva," in 1669. An artesian well is now being sunk in Piccadilly, just by St. James's Church. ELECTION COMMITTEE. WIGAN. The Committee met this day at the usual hour. The scrutiny was proceeded with on the part of the petitioners. Christopher Blades was objected to on the pound of change of qualification. The vote was struck or. John Allen was next objected to on the same ground. The vote was struck off. Robert Jump was objected to on the part of the petitioners also, one of the last voters struck off being a plumper. [The case of this voter was proceeding when we went to press.] The vote of John Jump was struck off. Thomas Gilbert and Edward Jones were next struck off the p011 .. 0f the petitioners. Henry Cooke and Thomas Lyon were struck off the poll of the sitting Members. John Robinson was next struck off the poll on the part of the sitting Members, and Mr. Standish and Mr. Crosse being now equal on the poll, the Committee adjourned to 11 o'clock on Saturday. GREAT 31ARLOW. The Committee met again yesterday morning at eleven. After some discussion the Committee decided that the objec. tion to the vote of Edward Newell should be gone into. Evidence was then produced to show that an inhabitant of the borough, of the name of Pasey, had paid the rates fur the premises out of which Newell registered ; and that the claim of the voter had been allowed by the Revising Barrister, be cause there had beer, an informality in the notice of objectiou. The Committee dec!ared that the vote was a bad one, and ought to be struck off the poll. This decision has left the numbers on each side equal. The vete of Joseph Cochrane was next objected to by Mr. Cockburne, for the sitting member; but after some evidence had been gone into, the objection was withdrawn. The vote of John Harris was then objected to by Counsel for the petitioners, on the ground of insufficiency of value. It appeared that the premises had been sworn to be of the value of 101., but evidence was adduced to showthat the rent paid by the occupier was only 91., and he was heard to say that he would swear it up to 10/. The valuators differed as to the precise amount at which the premises should be fixed. After a short deliberation the Committee decided that the vote was a bad one, and should be struck off the poll. This decision has placed the siting Member in a minority of one. The Committee then adjourned till Eleven o'Clock un Sa turday next. WEYMOUTH AND MELCOMBE REGIS. The arguments on the votes of Wm. Fowler, an elector on the side of the sitting Members proceeded. The charge of per • sonation was not established, and the Committee decided that William Fowler, the mariner, had a good qualification, and did vote out of that and no other. Francis Stayner was next objected to.. He was also a voter for the sitting ',Members. The objection was that he was im properly admitted to the registet'. This was an appeal from the decision of the Revising Barrister,' who, it was said, had admitted Stayner, though he had not resided in the borough twelve calendar months before the 31st J uly, 1840. A witness proved that Stayner had resided in Guernsey for some years. Mr. l'Ar.nor —Did he never come to w eymouth ? Witness —Yes, at the elecrion.—(Laughter.) Mr. TALBOT—Did he not come before that? Witness— Yes, at the other election..—(Laughter.) After a long argument the eomMittee declared that Stayner's ♦ote was bad, and then adjourned till Monday. The petitioners are now two a head; the race will be neck and neck. THE TORY INCOME TAx.—A Morning Contemporary justifies this impost on the score of its being at variance with common sense ; and adds " for ourselves, we never thought that any taxation was likely to become agreeable from its conformity with the common. sense conclusions of mankind." According to this reasoning, a tax, to "become agreeable," must have nonsense for its basis; and viewed in this light, the income tax certainly bids fair to become a very " agreeable " and popular impo t, for never aas there one that so boldly set at defiance everything in the shape of jus tice and sagacity. Our Contemporary's contempt for common sense is perfectly natural, seeing that his own diurnal lucubrationiare notoriously devoid of this quality. In another passage of the same article, he intreats the people to dismiss their foolish prejudices against the in come tax, because the tax-gatherer, " instead of sweeping away half a man's income, only asks sevenpence in the pound !"--Only asks. sevenpence ! Modest creature I Who can be base enough to resist so moderate a demand ? BALM IN GILEAD, OR COMFORT FOR THE BISHOP OF EXETER.—It must be very comforting to the Bishop of Exeter—who, it may be remembered, nearly broke his pious heart for the loss of the rich living of Stanhope — to know that he is no longer in possession of that fat, snug rectory, for he thereby avoids the heavy income tax that he would otherwise have had to pay on it ! The number of vessels at present engaged in the French merchant service is 15,817, of which 133 are steam ers, and 15,681 sailing vessels. Of these 25 are from 800 to 500 tons ; 229 of 449 to 300 ; 1,898 of 299 to 100 ; 9 f 99 to 60; 253 of 59 to 60; and 10,827 below 30 tons, COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR,,THURSDAY.—The Queen and Prince Albert I took their accustomed early walk this morning in the Slopes and_the,H9me Park. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal were taken out in the forenoon in the Little Park, and again in a carriage in the afternoon, for an airing. Her Majesty rode out in a pony carriage and four, at tended by the Hon. Mrs. Anson, Lady Caroline Cocks, and the Hon. Sarah Mary Cavendish. His Royal Highness Prince Albert accompanied her Majesty on horseback, attended by Sir Edward Bowater, Colonel Buckley, and Mr. George Ed ward Anson. The Royal dinner party, this evening, at the Castle, will include only the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Royal Suite. . MAUNDY THURSDAY.—Yesterday the customary dis tribution of her Majesty's Royal Maundy took place at Whitehall Chapel. There were present 23 aged men, and 23 aged women, being the number of the . years of age of her Majesty. The • poor persons received the Royal charity with much apparent thankfulness. They are above •70 years of age, some are upwards of 80. At two o'clock the recipients assemlded at Whitehall Chapel, and at three o'clock the usual procession walked to the Chapel, consisting of the Yeomen of the Guard in thole State costume, one of the corps carrying s gold dish which has been used on these occasions since the reign of Queen Mary, and on this dish were deposited the alms to be distributed. There were six children in attendance, who had been seleited for good conduct from the National School of Westminster, and the parish of St. George, Hanover square. These children received as a reward a douceur of 65., and the linen sashes which they wore. The Very Rev: the Dean of Carlisle officiated as Sub- Almoner, attended by Joseph Hanby, Esq., -Secretary and Yeoman of the Almonry, and Officers of the Lord Chamberlain's department. There were in attendance the Rev. 1)r. Sleath, the Rev. Dr. Vivian, Rev. Messrs. Packinan and Haden. The distributions were made between each of the An thems—" Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy," "Oh Lord, grant the Queen long life," and " Who is this that cometh from Edom," which were sung with striking effect by the Gentlemen and the Boys of the Chapel Royal. Mr J. B. Sale presided at the organ. The alms distributed consisted of 11. 15s. to each woman as an equivalent for clothing, and each man re ceived sufficient woollen and linen cloth, shoes, and stockings, to make him an entire suit. Both men and women received 1/. 10s. each, as an equivalent for provi ions formerly issued in kind. And a further sum of IL and 23 silver pennies, the latter being the number of the years of age-of her Majesty. The Bishop of London held a confirmation of the ju venile Nobility and Gentry in the Chapel Royal St. James's. The Countess Delawarr and the Ladies West, Lady Eliot, Lord Radstock, and Lord Prudhoe, were among the Nobility present. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager sent yesterday to make inquiay after the state of the Countess of Munster and the Family, and Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence went to attend her Majesty at Marlborough House. Her Royal Highness the Duchess Gloucester also sent to in quire after her Ladyship and Lord Adolphiis. Among the Nobility and Gentry who called yesterday to pay visits of condolence were the Duke of Brunswick, his Excellency M. Dedel, the Marquis of Headfort, Marquis of Clanricarde ; Earls—Jerinyn, Wiltshire, and Jersey ; Countesses of Uxbridge and Charleville ; Lords--J. 0. Fitzroy, Saye and Sele, A. Lennox, Ingestre, Strafford, and G. Paget ; Ladies—E. and C. Paget, C. Somerset, A Lennox and Ingestre,. Baron Bentinck ; Sirs Robert Fitz Wygram, E. Hyde East, J. Cockburn, J. Kempt, Gore Ouseley, R. King, and Charles Clarke ; Colonel M‘Alpine ; Mr. and Mrs. Horace Twiss ; Mr. C. Gre ville, Hon. Twisleton Fiennis, Colonel Bagot, Captain Sparshot, Colonel Spencer Stanhope, Mr. Masse, Mr. Langford Brooke, Captain Percy, R.N., Major S. Clerke, Mr. Hawkins, Major-General Keane, Colonel Yorke, Mr. Sackville Lane Fox, and Colonel J. Wyldman. His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge paid a visit to Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence yesterday. Her Royal Higness the Duchess of Kent took a carriage airing yesterday. Mr. Antrobus, M.P., and a deputation, had. an inter view with the Earl of Ripon yesterday, at the office of the Board of Trade. The Earl of Elgin had an interview with Lord Stanley yesterday at the Colonial-office. Sir Robert Peel left town yesterday afternoon to join Lady Peel and family at Kemptown, Brighton. Mr. Crofts, accompanied by Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Acland, had an interview with Mr. Gladstone yesterday at the Board of Trade. _ _ Despatches from the Governor of the Mauritius were received yesterday at the Colonial-office. • . On Monday and Tuesday, the Royal Minor alms were distributed to upwards of 800 persons above the age of 60 years, who received five shillings each. The Royal ate Charity, of thirteen shillings each, was also distributed to 168 persons, many of whom are very aged, and have declined • from a prosperous condition in life, to distress and affliction. These distributions were made under the orders of the Archbishop of York as Lord High Almoner to her Majesty, by Mr. Hanby, his Grace's Secretary. • SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S—YESTERDAY. None of the Derby favourites were in force yesterday afternoon, nor was the general betting by any means so brisk as on Monday. 8 to 1 was laid to about 30C1. against Attila, and from the feeling displayed in various quarters, a further decline seems highly probable. Neither Auckland nor Chatham were in favour, the odds quoted against each having been offered currently, Ballinkeele had a formidable enemy, notwthstandino• t -, it was stated that his arrival in Oxford-street may be hourly expected. In fact, the only movement upward worth alluding to, was in The Lord of Holderness, whose friends were so fond that the last offers to lay did not exceed 20 to 1. Very little money was got on Palit urus, and Espartei o improved a little, and 2,000 to 15 was taken several times about Belcair. Nothing fresh, either in Chester Cup or Oaks. Closing prices— TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES. 6 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes' Meteor—taken CHESTER CUP. 9 to I agst Mr. Holme's Vulcan—taken 12 to 1 apt Lord Chesterfield's Marshal Soult—taken 14 to 1 agst Mr. Gregory's Rory 011 ore 18 to 1 agst Col. Anson's Rhodanthe. DERBY. 16 to 1 agst Col. Peel's lot 22 to 1 agst Forth's lot—taken 1.1 to 1 agst Mr. Goodman's lot—taken r 4 to I agst Col. Anson's Attila 18 to 1 agst Lord Westminster's Auckland 20 to 1 agst Col. Peel's Chatham. 20 to 1 agst Mr. G. Clark's Lord of Holdernesse 28 to 1 agst Mr. Dixon's Ballinkeele •30 to 1 agst Mr. Payne's Palinurus 33 to 1 agst Mr. Pettit's Espartero 40 to I agst Mr. Ramshay's Moss Trooper—taken 45 to 1 agst Lord Verulam's Robert de Gorham—taken 45 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes' Meteor—taken • 66 to 1 agst Mr. Scott's The Artful Dodger 3000 to 30 agst Lord G. Bentinck's Tripoli—taken 1000 to 10 agst Lord Miltown's Scalteen—taken 2000 to 15 agst Mr. Allen's Beleceur—taken OAKS. 16 to 1 agst Mr. Etwell's Passion—taken. 20 to 1 agst Lord Exeter's Amima filly—taken VAN AMBURGH. We have had an opportunity of inspecting the esta blishment of the above spirited individual at his stables, near the Horn's Tavern, Kennington, and, we confess, we had formed but an inadequate opinion of it. It is but partially known that Van Amburgh started a travelling collection of animals (including his own justly celebrated menagerie) in May last, and his suc cess has exceeded his most sanguine expectations, in consequence of which, he contemplates remodelling it on an extended scale. New carriages, of the most novel construction, additional animals, ten beautiful cream coloured horses (daily expected from America), in addi tion to his former splendid stud of greys, are among the novelties contemplated. The manner of exhibiting wild animals in this. country has scarce undergone any change or improve ment in our recollection ; the same heavy, ponderous carriages, with their tasteless, uncouth decorations ; the same inefficient arrangements; and the same noisy, vulgar fellows, as showmen, have been the distingushing charac teristics (with but few exceptions) from time immemo rial. It remained for Van Amburgh to open a new era, to strike out a new system from the dull beaten one of his predecessors, and to raise for himself a pre-eminence by the taste and costliness of his appoint-, ments, the manner and appearance of his. attendants, and the novelty and originalty of his daring performances. Another improvement, and a most striking one, is the method pursued with regard to his exhibiting. At the day advertised there is the collection, and the same punctuality obsnved in its departure ; thus enabling him to keep faith through the line of his route. To the strict observance of all these particulars we attribute his success, and which will, we have no doubt, in spite of the somewhat diminished attraction of tra velling manageries, ow;ng to the establishment of Zoolo gical Gardens in various places), long continue to at tend him. On the 6th instant, says the Toulonnais, as a painter, who had emigrated to Algiers was travelling in search of employment, he got enveloped in a dense fog, near Ben Ackoun, on his way to 1)ely Ibrahim. Hi s attention was suddenly roused by a loud roar, whi c h at first he took for the lowing of an ox in one of the in closures ; but, on its being repeated, he found himself face to face with a monstrous lion. The po or pa i nter, though more dead than alive with terror, retained suffi cient presence of mind to brave the a n i ma l w i t h h i s shouts, and, thus acti▪ ng on the known nat ure o f t h e beast, put him to flight. Having communic a t e d hi s ad venture to M. Dumartin, the land-su rveyor at Dely Ibra him, that gentleman, with permis s i on o f t h e colonel i n com mand of the garri▪ son, went out w i t h a b out th i rty officers and soldi▪ ers in chace of the lion, but did not fall in with it. A day or two aft erwar d s the same animal was seen at Elbi▪ er, near .Algiers, and a general battue wa s contemplated to relieve the country from this un welcoma intruder, and of s evera l ot h ers who have come down to the plain of Mitidjah, since it was deserted by the Arabs. The police arrested on Tuesday a female who had been for some time carrying on an extemtve system of robbery in the first-rate hotels of the capital. Her plan was to call at an hotel, dressed in the first style, and engage a splendidly furnished room, whi c h s h e said she should want only two days, and the rent of which she paid beforehand. She would then, after having taken possession, go out, taking the key with her, and as she did not retnrn it was found necessary to break open the door, and it was then discovered that bhe had plundered the room of the most valuable portable articles. When arrested she had jast repeated this trick at a hotel in the 1m- Passe Doyenne. On being searched there were found in poc ketsb_ made f or t h e purpose two cande.abras and a clock, which had been t a k en to pieces for the convenience of carryin g away. She turns out to be a woman named Godard , Who h been several times in prison for theft. DOWN ► WITH THE INCOMO - X " Piers, I have not been idle, I never ate the bread of indolence ; Could Alice be more thrifty than her mother? Yet, with but one child—and that one how good Thou knowest—l scarcely can provide the want.% Of nature ; look at these wolves of the law, They come to drain me of my hard-earned wages. I have already paid the heavy tax Laid on the wool that clothes me—on my leather, And all the needful articles of life ! And now three groats (and I worked hard to earn them) The Parliament demands—and I must pay them, ,„,;) Forsooth, for liberty.to wear my hea,d.' Sir Robert Peel, by his impo S s ° it u io T n u o E f Y adopts the same regulations as were adopted in 15 " 0 , with some slight modifications,_ and which were found . s . intolerable in 1816, that the Government of the Tories, :rgto! then crowned with glory by the victories of W(1 and when the nation was intoxicated by success, was co% I pelled by the remonstrances of an indignant up the tax.—Daily Paper. ' t s he iV i e n t eo T tn y e le Out roll the words like bell-strokes, Sirs, Ominous strokes and strong, Such as belfries roll, people to give ' Or tocsins toll, When a people groans in wrong Like sounds of seas, Or forests a-roar, lOtensitshteanbere pour:— oad-wined breeze • Round the land let speed the terrible shout, Like the vestal fire that hams through not out: — Letiwspread)oitNWlTH H as the I flNacmoe3sal TAX."throu fields of fla* Brothers ! shall we—the self-same Men, , Dr , Who scouted this Tax—this slave-badge ---4 `" The great Duke came from his battles bold , d And England's brows in his war-wreaths rolie Shall we—who then like God's elate, Had smiled to grant each need of State, So well were fears in victories calmed A And hearts high-pulsed and triumph charme"'—. Shall we—who then indignant sprung And forth our just repugnance flung,-- Who deemed this tax a wrong and crime In that so glorious—golden time— Now bend to it, like pliant wax ? Now fawn to it with bows and kneeling ? No—roll the words like bell-strokes pealing " DOWN WITH THE INCOME TAX !" ,r l LITERAT U RE. A e GISIPP US. A Ploy. Maxwell, _London, „, At the period when this play was written, ;.`Ar + . icer) , raid Griffin, the author, had not completed , ' f i o wa tieth year, which will account for those hir - d e als• views of human nature in which he too often 00 Gisippus indeed, is little more than a rhaP seu ivid , Friendship —such a rhapsody as a youthful, r i d]. and ingenious mind would be most likely to inc3ead, Pity that the progress of time and experienceT c y of of confirming, should only show the utter f a d t hat a young man's exalted notions of humanity 1111 „ / .0- - the lofty and disinterested friendship which be ; 0 the judging by his oivn heart—believed to exist mere world, he should afterwards discover to be !Oja i phantom, conjured up by the imagination, an ° „on away before the strengthening daylight of r e- gr. Nevertheless, strained and improbable as a re 1 , 11 0 0 Griffin's ideas of the disinterestedness of f o r nature, as exemplified in the character tunes of his hero, Gisippus, we read ni s .: with interest and even emotion, for there 1" that questioning the strong earnestness and sinceri t y breathes through it. While cold, distrustful Oki, is compelled to enter her protest against the jilt bility of the earlier scenes, wherein the i st ed Gisippus is exhibited as a prodigy of disinteliiig and magnanimous friendship, the heart is still ° P O+ , to be duped into the belief that they are true ° r id for the delusion is at least a sunny and a ch ee c tet , one. But while we object to the principal theta and some of the incidents of our author's , , have no fault to find with his language, w hich; . 5 41 ,0 t; formly nervous and uftaffected, collateral iL o ir being homely, and though in places a little tn,e , 0 3 berant, perhaps, yet never wholly losing sight el, taste. We may add, that it is thickly bestreweu bs ' t if :'; the rich lights of a glowing, poetic fancy, and shad s it has been studiously elaborated, Mr. Griffin ° lt oete , the rare art in a great degree to conceal his art. for instance, is a passage on the common-place 'reat of Love, which is handled, appal antly, with grill . ' ease, though, we doubt not, it was wrough t uP considerable care : " Aye—passion bath its change of seasons, sir. And 'twere as vain to hope eternal Summer, As an eternal faith.—This is with you The Spring of courtship—which calls up the flow er° ° The fairest flowers of Love—your blooming fancies! toyer. Your fragrant love thoughts, murmuring vows--sn u P But even as nature's spring—love's too must roll Away—and then comes your alored honeymoon Love's Summer of enjoyment—next his autumn Of lukewarm liking, verging to indifference. ~„ The time of shrugs, and yawns, and absent thong n' And then his winter comes—frosty and dry, ' Sharp, biting, bitter—cunning in cold taunts-- Making the evening hearth, so late a paradise ' A place of harsh uneomfort. —Then, 0 Lovel How suddenly thy changeful votaries , ,to Find thy Elysium void !—from the pale poet, Who wooed the groves in song-lorn melancholy, To him the blustejing terror of the field, ttlf Who sighed like Boreas and made love like war— .:,;; All, weary grown of the ignoble bondage, Look back with scorn upon the yoke they ve s purned , And wonder how the silly toy had power „ To make them sin so palpably 'gainst wisdo m. An ordinary sentiment, as regards fe male is thus eloquently expressed : " Your eagle spirits are too grand for me ; Such forms may grace a painter's canva ss win', ,43.4 Grouped in a legend of the commonwea lth, - ' t But by an evenino• fire are cold companions-- - Woman was made for love, and not for wonder 0v Give me the pliant, soft, and human fair, t o I:q t , But Heaven defend me from your soaring beaulijah n As might be expected from the age at irv_,,%,toncye Griffin wrote his play, there are nu merous tl ue str e, allusions to woman, and the beng cent ode' which it is ever in her power to exert over t s: -.- sex. We subjoin one or two of these passlige "Oh woman, what an empty boaster man is, got''' When he would strive against your empire ! When he would soar at lonely excellence , ! Ye cling upon him with your potent weakness And when he is content to creep beside yef In the dull circle of material happiness, Ye fire him with a longing aftei greatness , He hath the strength of the huge ocean-weve'cs But you—you are the planet by whose inflec t ' W O It mounts or falls." t he %lea The expression " potent weakness" in a ct ' te st passage is very felicitous, conveying the O be oil i a that the author desired to convey, and in t g 1 " terms. A tamer and more methodical fan c • n atsis have shrunk from it, startled at the seelninlgkiht, i n it implied ; but to weigh, and hesitate, an' , do ll 0 o vo not the way to succeed in poetry, any In o -r :ver e l love. "Faint heart," says the old adage, Il the is, ° o l, fair lady;" neither did it ever yet win o te li t o crown. The sentiment expressed in t he st roPi le extract will remind the reader of a fine LIP ° ...-- wedded love in one of the plays of Middleton " How pure, how holy is the sacrifice That waits on virtuous Love! How sa.red is Into T Th em e p fi ae e sr r te y i du b zealuyn mi l dthatw a st i en Y sg a t es vestalse i m on a k n n i id o ah w mo s el , i e i The very levity we wake to honour it ! s at th re e v re e rence That wanders nor decays. Al! so!'t affeetl' Calm hopes, and quiet blessings 'nover reu"., it.“ de' And soft Peace sheds her virtuous dews uP ° 7 ov rifig e , There is much force and vour in the fo" ic n ats4, scription of a dull, heartless, tame, and letha,rf ab ly ill _P el f such a one as Voltaire has hit. ff so ach nl . e d hin' o ' n . sketch of Signor Prococurante, who fann e d of a philosopher, simply because he was lira derstanding, and callous of heart : „ e ein " Gods! There are men upon this earth wh°like So mixed and moulded with that earth --s° Mere dull, material engines—that for all The purposes for which man looks to ma n ' 0 e !,' It were as well a piece of curious wie charo s sem blail e , wi ve Walked in humanity's name, and wore its.,.nes 0 19 ' ra ce We throw together a few insulated n bv the g pleased us, either by their sentimen t, °r '' and spirit of the expression : " As the mad promise of thewildest hope That ever killed content." s l u mber , ~ The g ra titude th a t mus t b e roused fr om , . Is never worth the waking." God ! 1 The joy of hunti ng a ft er Death, wh en it the raPt ure ' Grown hopeless, golds us to the chase bought' Amid the roar of fight that shuts out t it ; Of rushing to his blood•red arms !" .. e was s tung ' 0 ! " True, he had wronged me, and my Pil a i ; Alas, you know not, friend, how qu' e . t ,- And silently that same tall fabric.. Pride, Is sapped and scattered by A dversity, n ,_ ken !" . ,_,,, E'en while we deem it still unmoved, u " 1 ' :. . en Us: . have here gil 4 ;f th e From the passages which we reader will be able to form a very fall' e e s x t h il i n bi a is 'e a o P a r ti ° : poetical character of Gisippus, h w o l duction s of g f ied mise not often witnessed in the p 1. .% Grif fi n , Ave f h is thor, not yet out of his teens. iur scarcely' add, was cut off in t h e _N d 'e N r ‘. 3 ", er s e Pr f i u r l g ly °cl i e ll(i career, before the powers of his In he lived, and not belied the Pronicted from •hin l , n r1( 1 we might reasonably have exPe such as the v b loped, or he himself was aware niofitshe sterling work of imagination, would not willingly let die. .g . ! lif" -=---'----"---- s oF -` Ptzrt 1. NENT REFORMERS' 1842. PORTRAITS AND ME 31 21 11 p fl t ic ti !. Collins, London, to pres-- of to eiorfexhtiesnbot.yi.:oooo3; but . p I Y lsv f ew yea ar _ d 7 was ah!i.i not several Numbers had aPPe e n ,, e it di d. -ore br A oug p l e i l t .io o d u ica t beca .. discontinued —we conclude, . t ts Prc ) j ecwr i s. sai l° answer the expectations 0: 1 trot t•le t at some ork slinilarrs the ago, trust the one before us will least —it be to detail''' r oil fate, for—judging, from the great care and attention. c01icer1...,,, s are f'ar as the biographical. notice nerit the pat I t ' t "., and indeed in every respect to_2 Th portraits lII' p rezta u r y 11 . r is , i t6 l o i acre of all true Reformers. ... 4 -0,rot 01) three in number, viz. the Margin * v liter, A deri an( serlt , "ion ou c h 111 ' 34 -Er,