The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-23 00:00:00

try expects that you will faithfully discharge your
duty.

The friends of popular education ought now to
bestir themselves. The ice is broken. A large
and enthusiastic meeting has been held in Exeter
Hall. A deputation from it has been graciously
received by Lord DERBY, and partial promises
made, and petitions begin to flow into the House
of Commons. With the aid of a tolerably hearty
effort in the provinces, _especially in the boroughs,
we should nob despair of seeing the greatest
obstacle to general education completely removed
when the next or any other Budget becomes
law. Our earnest advocates of universal educa-
tion should avail themselves of the Christmas
holidays to hold meetings, and to sign petitions
for the repeal of the Taxes on Knowledge. We
had, indeed, hoped that our first literary CHAN-
CELLOR of the EXCHEQUER would have signalised
his first financial scheme by the truly noble
achievement of a thorough emancipation of the
Press. Perhaps he had it in his heart. Perhaps
he would be thankful for a popular coercion of
his colleagues, but more probably following the
wont of his predecessors he has listened first to
the most clamorous, or to the necessities of pre-
serving political support. Nothing else, we think,
could have induced him to retain so paltry and
indefensible a tax as that on Advertisements, espe-
cially when he was making his reductions in each
department in such piecemeal style.
Do our readers of the trading class fairly under-
stand the value of Advertisements ? The expense
of them, under the present system, has so limited
their use, that few are aware how much a freer
employment of them must benefit trade. A grocer
or a draper cannot put half his things in his shop
window, and, if he could, his window cannot visit
half the persons who might be his customers, but
do not pass it ; but a newspaper finds its way into
every dwelling, or would do were it untaxed ;
and an Advertisement in it would remind persons
of comforts, conveniences, luxuries, and ornamental
elegances, which they would not otherwise think
of ; would do it at home, where the wife could
talk with her husband as to ways and means, and
the daughters,ply their entreaties so omnipotent
with papa. It would tell of every fresh arrival
of Winter, Spring, and Summer goods from the
great manufacturing depots of the North, and
lead to a visit and a purchase ; it would announce
every reduction of price, that great temptation
to so many, who buy because it is now
" cheaper than it was. " It would tell
the other class, which quits an article as
soon as " everybody can get it," of the new and
just registered pattern or fabric, now making by
one of the first houses in Manchester or Bradfoid ;
and that " Messrs. TAYLOR and SMITH having this
week received a large supply thereof, with many
thanks for the past unprecedented support they
had received, invite the favour of personal in-
spection." Happy couples, in the near prospect
of the blissful day, would study in it on the sofa
the catalogues and prices of cabinetmakers and
upholsterers, ere they made their half-blushing
visit to the shop, and many an addition to what
they might otherwise have thought of would pro-
bably be pencilled down in the smiling discussion ;
while the prudent matron, half questioning whe-
ther she must not merely alter the last year's
dresses of her six daughters for this season, " be times are so hard," is unable to resist the
temptation of clothing them afresh all alike, " be-
cause, on the other hand, these new dresses ad-
vertised by Mr. - are really at once so cheap,
and look so respectable." We do not, mean, of
course, to insinuate that there is even the
shade of a thought in the mother's mind
that new dresses are anything at all
of the nature of an Advertisement them-
selves. The careful housekeeper, too, glancing,
while at her needle, at the butcher's, baker's, and
grocer's Advertisements, -would ponder prices and
articles, and think of many a thing for to-mor-
row's purchases. There is, indeed, no depart-
ment of retail trade to which cheaper advertising
would not be an invaluable boon. Keep things
before people's eyes, and in time, though they did
not buy at first, they will think they need them,

Good advertisers, even under the present system,
have almost always made their fortunes. Far be it
from us to deny the merits of the articles fur-

nished by the most eminent in that line ; bu,

surely they do not surpass in quality and cheap-
ness those of hundreds who do far less business.

America is wide awake to the advantage of adver-
tising. Her Advertisements amount to ten millions
annually—England's but to two millions 1 Every-
body there advertises everything. All are at
liberty, without a farthing of paper-duty, or
of stamp-duty, or of advertisement-duty, to tell
each other what they want to buy and
sell. The consequence is, that in America
FOUR HUNDRAD AND THIRTY MILLIONS of news-

papers, annually, are required to tell the wants of
neighbours to each other,—in England ninety-five
millions suffice for the same purpose I The Ame-
ricans know the value of hand-bills, placards,
circulars, periodicals, and the other means of ad-

vertising, as well as we, but still our shrewd
brother JONATHAN finds his account in publishing
ten millions of Advertisements to our two millions!

Let our tradesmen of every class open their eyes
to this. But it is the educational advantage of
the untaxed newspaper on which we lay the great-
est stress. It is little better than folly to cram
children perforce with knowledge, while you
leave in abeyance the best allurement you can offer
to seeking it spontaneously. The Society for the
Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, according to the
testimony of Lord BROUGHAM himself, found all
their efforts to reach the lowest classes useless,
because the penny stamp forbad them to pub-
lish news in a penny magazine. He tee-

so chiefly on the ground that it is impolitic to tax
capital. Now, it is by no means difficult
to prove that it is practically a tax on capital,
and that of the very worst description.
Let us, for example, take the case of two persons
each possessed of 10,000/. The one may choose to
invest his money in 3 per cent. Consols—the
other in Long Annuities, which expire in 1860.
The one would obtain a permanent charge of
3001. per annum. The other one for eight years
of, say 1,500/. per annum. The first would
maintain its value, if it did not improve ; while
the latter must deteriorate each year, as it ap-
proaches its termination. Can the whole of
1,500/. in the hands of the annuitant be con-

sidered as income ? Certainly not. If at all a
prudent man, he will set aside a considerable por-
tion thereof ; so much as would, if accumulated
at compound interest, replace his original money
at the termination of his charge. His 1,500/. is,
therefore, made up partly of interest, or income,
and partly of capital. Thus he may spend 3001.,
while he lays by 1,200/. ; the 3001. being in-
come, the 1,200/. capital—but while, like the
fundholder, he is compelled to pay 81. 15s. on
his income, he must also pay 351. a year on his
capital, on the income derived from which he
will also be bound to contribute in every sub-
sequent year; so that before his 10,0001.
is again collected in 1860—he will have been
charged nearly 500/. on his capital, from which
the fundholder is altogether exempted.
But if this be unjust to the long annuitant,
how much more so is it to the man whose only
income is derived from his own exertions ? He
must also put by a large proportion of his receipts
in each and every year to secure some provision for
a rainy day—for the time when age and infirmity,
or a change of fashions or of law, may cut off his
sources of income, or his helpless family may be
deprived of a father's care. He has many ar-
duous struggles to maintain his position, and
which is essential to do, unless he would
with it surrender his emoluments. But
the cruel tax on his entire capital—for he has
nothing but his earnings—:prevents him from
laying by anything whatsoever, keeps him in diffi-
culties during his lifetime, and consigns his help-
less family to poverty and destitution after his
death. This is alike inequitable and impolitic,
and we call upon every right-minded man to resist
it with all his power and all his energies. And
this is the fitting opportunity for so doing—such
as, if suffered to pass by without due advantage
being taken, may never again arise at any future
time. Fiscal Reformers, look to it. Your coun

We have room to notice but one point more.
There can be no doubt that the real reason for
retaining the taxes on knowledge is the dislike of
our aristocracy to the people's acquiring political
knowledge. We are confident they are wrong in
this, even for their own objects. They dread, in
plain English, exposing what one of our greatest
legislators termed " the shameful parts of the
Constitution," in Church and State, to the popu-
lar gaze. But we ask, Where do you find the
greatest moderation, even on these subjects ? It
is, after all, amongst those who can read and
think. These " shameful" things must be got
rid of eventually, and this will be done none the
worse for our populace being accustomed to hear
both sides on these subjects. The tendency of
habitual reading is on the whole to enlighten,
and hence to moderate rather than to irritate.
Confident do we feel, that did our working people
read the debates of Hon. Members and Noble
Lords, or even abstracts of them, it would do
much to soothe political discontent ; it would
at least tend to guide it into safe and useful
channels. The present is, however, a time of
remarkable political quiet. The working classes
are, on the whole, satisfied. It is, therefore,
the very hour to throw open the newspaper to
the million, and begin to educate them in the
great social principles which they cannot violate
with impunity. We firmly believe, that in this
country, where good sense and moderation are
sure to have the preference, the immediate eman-
cipation of the newspaper press, might save the
need of regular and yeomanry cavalry, in the
next time of commercial pressure, whenever it may
come. Poor, indeed, must be the newspaper which
would not educate our working men to perceive
the folly of strikes, and of physical force assem-
blies. Poor, indeed, if it did not better pre-
pare him for those full rights of citizenship to
the attainment of which their class is rapidly
tending, whether Cabinets like it or not. Opera-
tives will soon be electors ; they will become so
more safely the longer they have enjoyed the
training of the newspaper.

The Duke of Welling-tor, we understand, contemplates
forthwith throwing open Apsley House to the public, under
certain regulations, in order that they may view the mag-
nificent collection of presents given by foreign Sovereigns
to his late lamented and illustrious father. It is, we be-
lieve, an acknowledgment an the part of his grace for the
late munificent grant of 80,000/. for the late duke's inter-
ment.

The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland and family have
left Stafford House, St. James's, for Lilies Hall, Shrop-
shire, whence their graces proceed to Trentham Hall, for
the holidays. The duchess is expected to pass through
London the second week in the ensuing month, en route to
Windsor Castle, on a visit to the Queen, having been in-
vited by her Majesty, with other distinguished personages,
to witness the first of a series of private theatrical perform-
ances at the above regal residence.
CITY ORTHOPCEDIO HOtiPITAL, HATTON GARDEN.—

HANDSOME DONATION.—At a recent meeting of the emu
mittee and friends of the above institution, held in the
Board Room—Dominic Ffronch Duff, Esq., in the chair,—
some routine business having transpired, it was stated by
Timothy Pollock, Esq., that the handsome donation of
given to the funds of the hospital
of Balls Park, Hertford, in
bt thirty rguineas
George
Big
Bishop, inn.,
it.n , E 3 1 . ,
addition to an annual subscription of 201., for the purpose
of maintaining an extra bed for the accommodation of in-
E. J. Chance, Esq., of Old
an inquiry, stated that since the
Bpartoiaedntssiree Tht, ein seni
answer or
to an
opening of the institution, in June, 1851, up to the present
time, there were no less than 1,212 patients on the books,
and as no letter of recommendation was required, almost
every day brought a fresh accession of patients.
MENDELSSOEIN'S ORATOSO ELIJAH will be performed
first time this season, thin' evening (Thursday), by the
London Sacred Harmonic Society, under the direction of
Mr. Surman' founder of tho Exeter Hall oratorios ; also,
an Elegy, "Mourn for the Mighty Dead," composed by
Sir Henry Bishop. Principal singers, Mrs. Endersohn,
Miss Dolby, Mr. Locket', and Mr. H. Phillips,
ASTLEY'S AMPRITHEATTE.—The pantomime in pre-
paration here bears the title of Fortunio and his Horse
or, Harlequin
Comrade, cfrid Seven Gifted Men, and is
we have reason to believe, will be of a
most
written by the celebrated pantomimic author, Mr. Nelson
cazzling groups, gorgeous para-
phernalia, and scenes of supernatural splendour, will delight
Lee.
brilliant
aenfftec character;
racter ;
and astonish the spectators. The comic portion will be
very ably sustained. Messrs. Melbourne Ella, Gardner
Boleno, Priorson, and R. 'lemming, are respectively the
Harlequin, Clown, Pantalcbn, and Sprite, and Madlle.
Christine the Columbine. 4. grand treat awaits the visitors
of Astley's on Boxing Night.
commencing LondoneAl3i N
Dramaticl.Tll
with gA
CIubTKREn. tooko 1 s, s
woentraunDgßlenzraßedAvacrenmr: —Tie first performance of the
Tuesday last, before a crowded audience, the entertainments
place at the above theatre on
Miss Mortimer played Julio, excellently ; her reading of the
play of The Hunchback.
part was lucid and distinct This young lady is the clever-
est amateur actress of the day, and only wants bringing out
to become a valuable aceptfritical to the stage, possessing all
the qualities requisite for the profession. liaster Walter
eluetdebdalithe evening.
was very ably sustained by Mr. W. Howard, who seemed
to have a thorough conception of this arduous character.
Messrs. Ryder and Roberts,
Heartwell, played with their usual ability. The farce of
Mrs. white followed, as Lord Tinsel and Master
in which Mr. Pitt as Frank Brown,
,
onsndweed. Mr. Selby's farce of The Unfinished
concluded
A OCIDE/t.—
ad in so expressive a manner that it
A moulder, named William
50 years of age, employed at Mr. William Riley's
at Mill-fields, Wolverhampton, met with his death
onThursday last, under the following distressing circum-
swDtaoanrvkeei:,s.
ki
e was engaged in assisting to draw an iron cast-
ing up with a crane for the purpose of removing it out of
his way, to enable him to proceed with his work ; and when
the casting was suspended by an iron chain, he ran under
it ; the hook of the chain suddenly gave way, and the sus-
pended mass, weighing upwards of four tons, fell upon
him, forced his head aid neck against an anvil, and nearly
severed his head from his body, killing him upon the spot.
FRIGHTFUL OCCUBBENCE.—Yesterday afternoon, a
frightful accident occurred to William Hulbury, barge-
man, who resided at fiudbury. It appears that the man
was at work on a barge in the Paddington Canal, when he
He was instantly picked up and conveyed to St. Mary's
saucmcideeonv,tAlwlYereslii:a
Hospital, where Mr. Lone, surgeon, and Mr. Bullock, house
and fell headforemost into the cabin.
that his skull was fractured, beside other injuries, and the
least excitement mightcause instant death.
immediate attendance, when it was found
MURDEROUS ASSAlTLT.—Yesterday afternoon infor-
mation was received frcm St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington,
of a murderous assault, that was committed on William
Walker, aged 11 years, residing at 3, Burn's-place, Chapel-
street, Paddington, under the following circumstances :
It appears, from inquiries on the spot, that three boys were
playing near a neighbour's shop, belonging to a person of
the name of Bush, and from some cause which at present
cannot be clearly ascertained, he rushed out and beat the
sufferer over the head and face with either a whip or a
stick, lacerating his cheek, and severely injuring the eye,
great doubts being expressed whether he will ever regain
the use of it. He was conveyed to the above hospital,
a precarious state.
under the care of Mr. Lane, surgeon, where he remains in

NEWS FROM AIISTRALIA.—It appears that the Lady
Flora, just arrived, left in Melbourne, on the 6th August,
about seventy sail of ships, amounting in the aggregate to
some 35,000 tons, a few of them getting men at 101. for the
run to Sydney and Adelaide, while others were quite de-
serted by all but the masters, with little chance of getting
away. It was with the greatest difficulty that the captain of
the Lady Flora could get a crew for, London at 501. for the
run home, Vessels for India, he states, could not obtain
a man for any amount of pay.

tifies that could they have made part
of their magazine a good newspaper, they
could have easily gained attention to more per-
manently useful knowledge through the news.
Hence he denounced this " last penny (the penny
stamp) as the worst penny of all." There is but
one of the present daily papers, of any business
or intellectual merit, which would not augment
its circulation incalculably were it wholly untaxed.
Each would, at least, have five readers for one.
This alone would increase the Advertisements
largely, and the Advertisements, again, would aid
the sale. It is not chimerical, indeed, to hope
that our daily papers, if untaxed, might have a
tenfold sale. But a yet larger class of readers
would be created by an immensely increased cir-
culation of local newspapers. Thousands who
now take only a weekly local paper, would add
to that a daily London journal ; but tens of
thousands who see no paper at all, or who
go to the beer-shop and waste their families'
bread to swe one, would have one at home,
and would read it at their own break-
fast or supper table. Here, again, would
be an immense field for Advertisements.
But here would be the welcome schoolmaster also,
the instructor whose teaching is no task, whose
lessons, though adapted at first to the tastes of
his learner, so far as to interest him, would ad-
vance with the intelligence of his pupils, and
while better than nothing at first, would soon
become of great social, and ultimately even of
great intellectual, value. It has been the fashion
to cry down the newspaper as a tutor for the
many. Let, however, the majority of our readers
ask themselves how many other books they them-
selves get through in a year ? They get the paper
because of the ?MIS j that is glanced at ; it is laid
aside for business hours ; but the leisure of the
evening comes, and all that is interesting is looked
over, and perhaps read in the domestic circle.
Why should the illiterate, then, be expected to
read books more than the great mass of their
betters ? Or, on the other hand, why, as they
share the common desire for news, why should
not they be likely to acquire also much incidental
knowledge from a newspaper, which, like their
betters, they will never obtain from any other
source ?