The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-03 00:00:00

stance is elicited at the evidence, it will be a duty
for those who are at the head of a large body of

workmen to insiit on the discontinuance of the habit
in places where danger results to life and property,
is injured. Perhaps more care and caution might

be adopted in many other ways, but at all events
it is the one thing needful that this reprehensible
custom be discarded. It is strange that the expect
rience of so many calamities does not impress more
of consideration upon the minds of those employed
in places of danger; but there is no use trusting to
this. Use is everything, and those engaged in
perilous employments proceed about their business
as recklessly and carelessly as if nothing of conse-
quence would ensue from their forgetfulness and in-
at,ention. The event of Saturday has been a
startling shock to the community, and it will

be well if the occasion is improved by the sub-
stitution in future of more care in places

which contain combustible matter. It is
satisfactory to think that after the awful event
occurred the greatest care seems to have been
taken everywhere to rectify the evil effects of the
sad disaster. Where this was unhappily impos-

sible then all possible means of mitigation were
employed. The sufferers were removed by trains
to the hospital, where every possible care was
bestowed upon them. It is at times like these
that we fully appreciate the value of these insti-

tations. It would be impossible to have the same
care and attendance bestowed upon the sufferers
from such casualties at any other place, and once
within the walls of the hospitals they are treated

with all possible speed and tended with care. The
scenes that took place at the station were most
distressing, and the numbers of persons who ar-
rived there to glean intelligence of their friends
was very great. The exertions used to prevent the
danger to the Thames embankment from spread-
ing were most praiseworthy, and altogether this
accident seems to have been attended with more
skill and enterprise than are often witnessed in
such sad affairs. The speedy arrival of the troops
from Woolwich was productive of great assistance,
and it is satisfactory to think that no means were
neglected which could obviate the spread of the
evil. Occasions like these call forth the resources
and appliances which in safer times lie dormant,
and the scene down the river on Saturday wss a
strange one that does not often occur. Considering
the violence of the shock, and the distances at which
it was felt, it cannot be supposed that all the sad
particulars connected with it have yet been ascer-
tained. The state of the poor sufferers in the hos-
pital is the most serious consideration, and many
of them will doubtless feel the effects of the accident
to their dying day. So deplorable a calamity is
fortunately not often witnessed, but since there is
no knowing when or how such events may take
place, it behoves all in authority to be on their
guard and keep themselves prepared for emergencies.
With the exception of the supposed carelessness
that originated the catastrophe, there is no biame
to be attached to those who superintended the
subsequent arrangements, and all possible means
appear to have been put in requisition to prevent
farther mischief ensuing, or more sufferings experi-
enced. This fearful occurrence is another proof of
the solemn fact so often slighted and universally
disregarded, that in the midst of life we are in
death. 'Those engaged in the pursuit of their
callings were in a moment scattered abroad, their
dwellings destroyed, and themselves injured seri-
ously. Such reflections should teach humility, for
in the midst of the appliances of civilisation men
may be really as much exposed to danger as if they
ware in the desert or surrounded by savage tribes
upon a barbarous coast. Perhaps this may be re-
garded as en illustration of the truth, that there are
limits set to out finite attempts at excellence, and
when we think ourselves most successful, it is said,
"Thus far shalt thou go, but no farther."

Englishmen have good cause to be thankful for
their national prosperity, which seems not only to
be totally unaffected by the convulsions of other
States, but increases and enlarges with a rapidity
that finds no parallel in financial history. The
Revenue—sure test of public welfare—continues to
improve; and the tables just issued show an in-
crease in the quarter just ended over the correspond-
ing quarter of 1863 of more than £380,000, although
we are now experiencing the effect of the late re-
ductions in the Customs and in the Income-tax.
The decrease perceptible under these heads is there.
fore simply consequent upon the remission of duties,
and, notwithstanding that grant to the public, Ne,,
can still boast an improvement of £380,000
in the poorest quarter of the year. Such a fact
demonstrates very forcibly the elasticity of our
revenue, but in truth that principle of compensa-
tion which has always made Free Trade the most
profitable policy, and has converted our Post-office
into one of our principal sources of profit instead
of being one of our national burdens, is already at
work. The benefits accruing, not only to the pepu.
lation, but to the Exchequer, are now being felt from
the reduction of duties on what may almost be
called the necessaries of life. The reduction of the
tea duty is felt in the increased consumption, and
we hope that the next budget will deal with sugar
in the same liberal spirit, for those articles, so
necessary to the public comfort, will always repay
a generous consideration for the requirements of
the people. The decrease in the Customs is £248,000
for the quarter, but it is noticeable that the decrease
on the half year was 1659,000, so that we are mak-
ing rapid progress even in this particular. The loss
of the £248,000 under this head is amply atoned
for by the increase in the next great source of
revenue—the Excise, which is £430,000, or on the
half-year £889,000. This is a rate of increase
rapid enough to satisfy the most impatient of
financiers, while stamps show an addition of
£76,000, and the Post-office no less than £140,000.
The latter is a somewhat remarkable item when
we contrast it with the half-year's increase of
£150,000. Our dull quarter can certainly boast of
a very active correspondence. The reduction in the
Income tax produces a decrease in that department
of £84,000, and other taxes generally the trifling
difference of £B,OOO. But these items of decrease,
in common with the losses under the head of the
Customs, are soarcely felt. The Excise
has come valiantly to the rescue, and thanks
to its increase at the rate of about
half a million a quarter, the revenue of a year,
in which reductions amounting to three millions
and a quarter have been made, only shows the net
decrease of £120,438. We apprehend that more
than ono of the Continental States would be very
thankful to arrive at such a conclusion even by
the help of putting on a few taxes instead of re.
miffing them and truly Englishmen have reason to
be grateful to PROVIDENCE when they look around
them, The extraordinary buoyancy of our revenue
proves at least that the principles which govern our
commercial and financial policy are sound, and
tm foreign legislators might well profit from the
re-
sults of our experience so clearly set before them.
Whether the vast revenue so easily acquired is

always laid out to the best possible advantage may
well be questioned, but like a young spendthrift,
whose fortune is sufficiently large to cover many
follies, we cin afford to indulge ourselves nationally
with costly freaks at the Admiralty, and in other
1 quarters, and can even venture to maintain our