The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-09 00:00:00

ASTLEY'S ROYAL A3IPHITHEATRE.

Lessee and Manager, Mr. Wm. Cooke.
THIS EVENING,
Attraction Extraordinary ! -Three Great Battles in ene Spectacle !
those of BALAKLAVA and INKF.R VANN being now aided (by the
introduction of a Third Att) to the BATTLE of the ALMA, which
this week reaches its 124th representation !
To conclude with Novel SCENES in the CIRCLE, introducing
(first time) Herr Johann Endersohn, le Fil-de-Fer, and the Entree
du Clown I la Franc.aise.
Box-ofilce open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W.
West. Acting Manger, Mr. W. 11. Cooke. Equestrian Director,
Mr. W. Cooke, Jun.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tins DAr —Morning 4 min.after 5 1 Evening 22 min.aft. 5
To-Nloannv—Mornim. 40 min.after 5 Evening 59 min.aft. 5

• TEN WEATHER.—Bint Omen, March. 9.
TNEENONETZB, IN THN SWAMI.
46—highest since noon yesterday.
34—lowest this morning and during the night.
41—this day, at noon.

BAROMETER, 30'12.
WIND, N.E.—Light breeze, with sunshine and some
slight snow.

_
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LONDON, FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1'855.

The Newspaper, Postage, and Stamp Duties

Bill has been again postponed. The Chancellor
of the Exchequer promises that, on this day week,
or sooner, if possible, ho will be prepared to state
the course he intends to pursue with reference to
the measure, and to Ex a day for its discussion.
Be it so. It cannot be expected that the Right
Honourable Gentleman should, like a new foot-
man, at once assume the cast-off garments of his
predecessor, and, without suitable alterations,
wear liveries shaped out for a person of very
different proportions. He would, indeed, be a
bold man who should, without due consideration,
undertake the responsibility of all Mr. GLAD
STONE'S measures, and determine to force on the
House, per fas out nefas, the opinions of that
crotchetty financier. It is true that some degree
of inconvenience may be experienced from the
prevailing uncertainty on the subject. But its
removal would be dearly purchased by hasty and
improvident legislation on such a topic, where
there could be " vestigia nulla retrorsum"—no
possibility of retracing the path which had been
too recklessly entered on.
We confess that we cannot accept the measure
as au unmitigated boon either to the press or to
the community. On the contrary, we believe
that a larger amount will be realised by the Ex-
chequer than under the existing regulations, ani.
that the chief effect will be to substitute inferior
local publications not merely for metropolitan but
for well-conducted and respectable provincial
journals. We gladly recognise the value of the
labours of our provincial brethren, and the well-
established reputations which, witl:out distinction
of party, they have, generally speaking, acquired,
and which we are proud and happy to say has
rendered the British newspaper press second to
none in the world. Now, without ascribing the
elevated position achieved by the Fourth Estate
to the operation of the existing law, or for a
moment supposing that its efficiency has been
promoted by taxation, we may yet demur to any
sweeping change that might materially impair its
power or deteriorate its quality. If the
Stamp Duty is to be unconditionally struck
off we shall thankfully accept the boon,
and unhesitatingly meet the increased com-
petition. But we are called on, in return, to sur-
render a privilege long sanctioned by the Legis-
lature and the country, which, as asserted in the
resolutions of the newspaper proprietors, "is a
faii equivalent for the stamp, and tends to
equalise the diffusion of information through the
whale community.. Is not the price too high for
the alleged conceui
on, We believe that, on in-
vestigation, it will be considered by every disin-
terested and unprejudiced Person in the same light
that it has already been regarded by the newspaper
proprietors—that it would s, tend
in reality not
to cheapen, but to enhance the 'cost of valuable
publications."
We do not say that there may not be very
con-
siderable improvements on the existing System.
;
that decided ameliorations may not be introduced
but, in a question of such vital importance, each
point should be strictly scrutinised, and all its
probable consequences accurately
weighed. We
must not too hastily jump at any conclusions that
may be suggested, or say that direct
because a
impost is removed we should therefore unhesita-
tingly accept an indirect charge, more onerous in
its nature and practically more oxpensi o to con-
sumers than the old burden, to which we had
become in some degree accustomed.
We are, therefore, disposed to give the new
Financial Minister full time for mature considera-
tion, that he should be enabled to ponder on all
its points, and. to examine it in all its varied
Phases. He cannot do so while his mind is still
Puzzled with he ways and means, while he is be-