The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-02 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, JULY 2, 1855.

The Revenue Returns for the year and quarter
are once more before us, and will be found iu
another part of this day's impression—that is to
say, as we have already explained, of the new
style financial year, made up to the Ist in place
of the sth cf July. There is no very remarkable
feature about the present account calculated to
produce either exultation or depression. The ex-
traordinary elasticity of the national resources,
which enables our financiers to be certain that
almost any bill they may draw on the people will
be Promptly accepted and duly honoured receives
another Powerful illustration ; while we are also
shown, though scarcely to so great an extent as
might have been anticipated, how severely such
enormous taxation operates on the social condition
and ordinary comforts of the industrious classes.
It was certain, from the large additions made
to the existing imposts, that there would be a very
considerable increase of revenue. That expecta-
tion has been confirmed.
'We find that no less
than 62,212,304/, has been received within the
year, being an improvement of 7,741,5881. ; while
16,07 9,662/. has been received within the quar-
ter, an increase of 1,005,575/, within that period.
We must, however, recollect that these additions,
large as they unquestionably are, by no means
represent the proportionate increase consequent
on the alterations in the different imposts, if
there had been no corresponding diminution in

consumption.
Looking at the different items we find that in
the Customs the increase for the year is 958,4261.,
and for the quarter 244,0211. We feel the'
causes of these changes twice every day, at break-
fast and tea. We remember that the salutarj
reduction of duties on tea, coffee, and sugar,
which had already led to such beneficial results,
was arrested in consequence of the GLADSTONE
policy of trying to disgust the people with the
War, by multiplying the burdens thereby occa-
sioned. The Peelite Chancel!cr of the Exchequer
estimated that the addition to the revenue from
these causes, which have already been a year in
operation, w.ould amount to about 700,0001., but
we find that they are rather better than a quarter
°fa million (258,4261.) more than the calcula-

tion.
the
In the Excise the addition on year is
1,770,0171.,
less by the and on the quarter 635,269/. ; far
'43l' than had been anticipated. In
May' Les 4, 111r.13LADSTONE estimated that the
increased duties
on malt and spirits would pro-
duce nearly two-and-a-half millions-2)450, 000 /.
within the year. It will be seen that we fall very
much short of that calculation.
There has been
a diminished consumption 11.
of malt of spirits, and
of hops ; and we fear that '
the • perse-
verance of his successor in the
_ same course will,
ere long, by giving an extraordinary sti lus to
the illicit trade, prove how short-sight 'nu
ed has been the policy of those so-called financiers who h
alike damaged the revenue and demoralised axe
'a con-
siderable number of persons by their ii th • •
ei
Uous
regulations.
In the Stamps the improvement in the year is
271,572/., and on the quarter 54,9421. Aaain
we may add that these results are far less than 1
might reasonably have been anticipated, consider-
ing that the Succession Duties have at length
come into operation. Taxes show a falling off on
the year of 223,4261., and on the quarter of
201,534/. These may partly be ascribed to mo-
difications of the existing rates, but chiefly to the
slackness in the collection, the payers being obliged
to receive greater indulgence in consequence of the
magnitude of the burdens imposed on them.
The great increase was looked for under the head

of "property tax." The total receipts for the
year have been 11,456,171/., an addition to last
year of 5,085,6711., but nearly a million and a
half less than was estimated, the probable produce
being taken at 12,889,0001. The increase on
the quarter is only 201,5341., a comparatively
small amount ; but we must recollect that the
double tax was in operation in the corresponding
quarter of last year, so that the improvement is
only on three in place of on four quarters.

On the Post-office there a small apparent
falling off on the year of 94,7331., and on the
quarter of 7,5761. This, however, we would re-
mark, has arisen from a great improvement which
renders the receipts of the corresponding
terms of last year unusually productive. And
here we would remark that there is an ad-
mirable opportunity of putting the right
man in the right place, and giving merit its
legitimate reward, by the appointment of Mr.
ROWLAND HILL as Postmaster-General. The
nomination of Lord CANNING'S successor will
be a political touchstone, to test the sterling cha-
racter of Ministerial professions respecting Admi-
nistrative Reform. We trust that it may give no
occasion to question their sincerity.
In Crown Lands the falling off is 54,4281. on
the year, and 2,0001. on the quarter ; while in
Miscellaneous there has been a deficiency on the
year of 58,668/., but an increase on the quarter
of 165,4461., mainly produced by the sale of a
large quantity of old and comparatively useless
stores for anything they might bring. All that it
is necessary to allude to, in addition to the above,
is that it appears that 6,306,000/. has- been al-
ready received, and that the deficiency bills this
quarter only amount to 3,306,4331., while at the
,beginning of April we had 3,467,0941. to provide
for. On the whole, as above stated, we have no
reason either for exultation or depression. We
have a painful illustration of one of the evils of
war, but, we beg to assure Mr. GLADSTONE, not
sufficient to disgust the people, or to induce them
to desire a dishonourable or transitory peace.

Poor Lord RAGLAN is no more. At the very
time when they were announcing in both Houses
of Parliament the improvement in his health the
veteran had passed from this transitory world.
i As we announced in our impression of Saturday
alarming symptoms developed themselves at four
o'clock on Thursday afternoon. Within an hour
- he had become unconscious, and gradually sunk
until twenty-five minutes before nine the same
evening, when all was over, and the gallant
spirit had departed to a better world.
The whole nation will sympathise with their
beloved SOVEREIGN in the deep commiseration
which she felt and hastened to express for the
bereaved family, whose loss is indeed peculiarly
deplorable under existing circumstances. A few
weeks, might have sufficed to banish every cloud
from his military career, and to change the mur-
murings that occasionally broke forth into uni-
versal plaudits. The unexpected delays that
occurred before Sebastopol—the severe priva-
tions endured by our gallant army, led to many
complaints. But the greater portion of these
were more fairly ascribable to other persons ;
while those which remained were in a great de-
gree the faults of the system, while his virtues—
and their name was legion—were altogether those
of the man. As an individual he was manly,
brave, and generous—qualities which commanded
not merely the esteem and respect, but the love of
those under his command. While if he wanted some
of the sterner qualifications of a Commander-in-
Chief, it was possibly owing to the philanthropy of
his disposition, that shuddered at any operations
that must produce a large amount of killed and
wounded. Personally he had no fears. If he
spared his soldiers, he did not spare himself. He
shared in all the risks and privations for which
his advanced years unfitted him.

The controversy as to the merits of the de-
ceased Field-Marshal will now terminate. No per-
son will feel inclined to utter a remark derogatory
to the well-earned fame of him who persisted in
the discharge of his arduous duties at the very
time when he should have been in the enjoyment
of the otium cum dignitate which he had so amply
merited. It was reluctantly, and with many
ominous forebodings, that the deceased nobleman
accepted the onerous task forced on his acceptance,
but the policy of the ABERDEEN Cabinet was not
of a very fighting description, -and it was supposed
that his services would have been more of a diplo-
matic than of a military character ; and when it be-
came apparent that there had been a great mistake
committed by the Administration there was a
natural reluctance to adopt any course that might
cast a slur on the reputation of the veteran, or
cause pain to his feelings.

The deceased nobleman was a branch of an illus-
trious house. He was the ninth and youngest
son of Henry, fifth Duke of Beaufort, who, in
addition to his paternal honours, inherited
the ancient barony of Battetourt in right
of his mother. It is unnecessary to dwell
upon the services rendered by members of
that distinguished family. We may, how-
ever, allude to the fact that it was his distinguished
ancestor EDWARD, Second Marquis of Worcester,
who in his " Century of Inventions," published in
the year 1663, offered suggestions for the practical
working of steam-engine, suggestions that
under the
direction of W.:TT) and other distin-
guished men,
have since led to such felicitous and
almost miraculous results. Lord FITZROY was 1
born in September,
in his 68th year at thl:BtiBme heof
hNivisasl,amcoennsteeqdudeenattl yh,.
In 1806, when barely 16
his first commission years of age, he obtained
, and
five years afterwards he
was promoted to the rank of captain. Ho never, however, discharged any
regimental duties from
that time. He had been appointed to the staff '
whom he ever
of the Great Duke, with
afterwards remained closely Connected,
and
whose niece, Lady EMILY HARR/
W
Imafinovyney
clasps,
was ETT EL-
LESLEY, he married in the year 1814, when
the temporary cessation of the war led to the
hope that the sword might be exchanged for theploughshare. He soon became military secretary
cr
to Lord WELLINGTON. But though more distin-
guished for the pen than the sword he participated
in e
0
sanguinary and glorious encounters, in
whereof he wore a Peninsular medal
witht i
wounded at Busaco, and left
with
n
an arm on the ensanguined field at Waterloo.
From that time he became connected with the
Horse Guards ,and, as Military Secretary, gave
hi ssatisfaction.o
,
to all with whom he was con-
cerned.
On the death of the Duke, in 1851, it
was anticipated that he would have been
Jy
which he was pre-eminently nominated Commander-in-Chief of the Army for
qualified. Some
secret influences, however,, prevailed in favour of
Viscount IiARDINGE
but Lord FITZROY SOMER-
SET Was
made Master-General of the Ordnance,
and elevated to the Peerage by a title celebrated
fence of Ra-gla-necoetds'
in Lin family r
he was nominated to honour on the first M •
Castle that conferred so much
it was the obstinate de-
fence
of .WORCESTER. How
the Eastern expedition
robati
0 the chief command of
is no doubt that
hailed with unanimous app
it is
wnotorious. There
as at the time
on, and whatever .

controversies have since been excited are now for
ever set at rest ; and henceforward the name of
FITZROY, Lord RAGLAN', will only be mentioned
in laudatory terms, as ono who nobly served his
country during a protracted and honourable
career, and who has left a glorious example to
others to persevere unto the death at the call of
duty.

The Convocationists are at work again, or rather
at talk, and begging leave of her MAJESTY to do
something more dignified than merely to amuse the
public by their loquacity, while unable to legislate
on the smallest matter. It will be seen that in
the teeth of the Archbishop of CANTERBURY the
busy intriguers carried an Address to her MAJESTY
for her licence to proceed to business—the busi-
ness of arranging a constitution for their body for
practical objects. The Lower House assented to
it after inserting amendments in favour of ren-
dering that House more satisfactorily representa-
tive of the inferior clergy. To this their spiritual
Lords agreed, and the memorial as amended is,
we suppose, to be duly presented to her MAJESTY.
We shall soon, therefore, see how Lord PALMER-
STON can square matters with English bishops; whe-
ther he will reply to them too with a joke or with
wholesome advice in the vein of his letter to the
Edinburgh Presbytery. The worst is, Bishops
have votes, and they know how to give them, too,
when any liberal measure borders on the preserves
of the Church.
Ecclesiastics are the same all the world over.
Whether they be English Bishops and clergy,
Piedmontese Church dignitaries, Presbyterian
Doctors across the Tweed, or even Methodist Con-
ference Preachers living on the people's pence—
their besetting temptation is to deem themselves
the Church ; to resist the attempts of the people
to look in to their own affairs, and to be most
touchy of all if their right to the fleece, and
their divine right to govern, be for a moment
called in question. Look at the projects of the
present talking Convocation, for it affords a
good index of what it would be as a go-
verning or legislative Convocation. All their
gravamina concern the clergy. The Upper House
thinks of not a mortal beyond the bench, and even
the Lower House, although composed of persons
living more among the people, is yet not of the
people. It wants the clergy, not the people, to
be better represented. Now, we submit to all
the Revs. and Right Revs. that this is not the
course for the present day. The Corn Lords and
Navigation Lords, and, to some extent, the East
India Nabobs, have all had their reform—even a
reformed Parliament is threatened with further
and much-needed reform—and, last of all, the
sacred precincts of the ArinT and Civil Service are
rudely overrun by a host of Administrative Re-
formers, determined to see into everything, and to
know the reason why.

How, then, can the Church escape her turn ?
It may be delayed a few years, but come it must,
and will. Archbishops, Deans, Canons, Clergy,
and the like, will fare no better than Field-Mar-
shals, Generals, and other commissioned officers.
Indeed (a profane conceit of course) the laity
fancy they can judge better of ecclesiastical than
military matters. The latter they were always
told were mysteries far more recondite than those
rin custody of the other cloth. It is an error of
very old standing. Somehow the complaint has
always bee~ of the intrusion of tailors and tinkers
into the province of the clergy. All people think
they know about religion, and they certainly
ought, whether they do or not ; but no man
deems himself bound, at least in this country, to
know the duties of a private soldier, much less of
a commissioned officer. Let the clergy then be
assured that the Administrative Reformers
will be down upon the Church in due time.
The efficiency of her leaders, the merits and
demerits of her system, the quality of her 'weapons
will all come under unsparing discussion. How
the money goes, how much more might be done
with it, will be openly inquired into, and we shall
have some House of Commons' Committee scruti-
nising the whole thing from top to bottom.
Two circumstances in modern movements are
especially cougenlal with a thorough-going attempt
to put the Church to rights: one, that the people
are becoming satisfied that nothing is well done
which they do not look to themselves, or which
they leave to be done for them by their betters.
Indeed, the notion that any classes are " the bet-
ters",of the others is becoming much discredited;
the creed now is, that there is a natural aristocracy
in each class, and that the public will be
better served by letting the deserving of all classes
find their level inartificially. The other is the
irrepressible cry for promotion by merit, and the
abolition of purchase, favour, and nepotism. Now
in no State service are the last-mentioned evils
'more glaring than in its ecclesiastical service. There
they are the rule, not the exception. The bishop
is made bishop generally with scarce a thought
whether a more deserving man could be found.
lie was the tutor of a monarch, or of a peer's son
—a favourite with or a relative of the Premier ;
at least a suitable political coadjutor—and so he
gets his spiritual Field-Marshal's baton, his mitre,
and apron. Then, in a short time, like his mili-
tary parallels, he is surrounded by a goodly staff
of suns and nephews, sons-in-law and nephews-in-
law, in all the fattest vacancies which turn up in
his diocese. The vast majority of presentations
to livings also are all obtained through pur •
chase or the favour of the patron. Nothing
is less thought of than the merit of the
presentee, or anything like giving a chance
to the most deserving. This evil is even more glar-
ing in the Church than in the Army, since every
curate is socially, and as a priest the equal of the
rectors and vicars; he is at least a gentleman, and
holy orders.

tiwbahgeeilnieln.gg:
The Church ought to see that the people are
acquiring confidence in their own capacity ; they
will never consent much longer to be saddled
with a clergyman who is to bo supported on State
endowments without some check on his being not
tierely a right man, but the right man for his
?'lace. A gentleman in every village is a verygood
upheld by'
bbAtiuuinett effective
eeoanctlt:ligvatl
eihstecittoonlwnietvi
iltoolhendca.get
Convocation
1 mei
tmahya
an
iaifloisurosttbhi
tietutvtvieoirnly-
mnaatjioornital fufnds, it must include repre-
sentativeslndeed we do not
see,bu lutoottv othnleyrehcontoelvieeatinlayity can ho excluded from
for the English Church exceptbreeaas
not
ynh reasonable
ilaelo Convocation,
vvooofcciat
Lords
Convocation
and Commons. If my Lords of OXFORD andExETER
want a Legislative Convocation, they must either
renounce national property and privileges, or must
admit the vcice of the whole nation in their deci-
sions. Voluntaryism or equal state payment alone
is thoroughly consistent with the government of
a religious body by its own members, and espe-
cially by its own clergy. Let our Convocationists
consider these things. The Archbishop of CANTER-
BURY, we doubt not, is well aware of them.

No enlightened friend of the aristocracy can
reflect otherwise than with pain and apprehension
on yesterday's proceedings in Hyde Park. No
loyal subject who witnessed them but must wish
from the bottom of his heart the like may not be seen