The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-01 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, ocr. 1, 1863.

Upon the whole the Revenue Returns for the
Quarter may be pronounced satisfactory. Remem-
bering the long continuance of the American War,
which has shut out from us, for so protracted an
interval, the customary supply of cotton required
for so large a branch of our manufactures—these
tables, showing that in spite of the American War,
in spite of this sudden, and almost total, and fright-
fully protracted continuance of oat: yearly cotton
supplies :has in no conspicuous way injuriously
affected our commerce, cannot but be followed with
a sense of grateful exultation. There is no doubt
rather disagreeably noticeable, almost at the first
glance, a large apparent decrease in the Revenue of
the Quarter. A decrease large, that is, compara-
tively. A decrease, however, that is, as we have
stated merely apparent—because one arising purely
and simply from the double reduction made by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer in his last Budget :
here by the diminution of the duty upon tea, here
by the dropping of a proportion of that burdensome
tax upon income and property, every penny in the
pound, of which represents upwards of £1,000,000
sterling, wrung from the earnings of the whole age
gregate of our busy toiling population ! Hence,
and solely because of this reduction upon the income
tax, and upon the tea duty, the more notable dimi-
nations referred to in the total Revenue of the
Quarter. Notwithstanding which—notwithstanding
the decrease in the proceeds of the Property Tax
upon the Quarter to the extent of £lOB,OOO, and the
decrease under the Customs Returns upon the
Quarter to the extent of £329,000, mainly attri-
butable to the remission of duty upon tea--notwith-
standing that decrease upon:the Quarter under these
two heads to the tune (together) of £437,ooo—there
is yet manifest this most gratifying consideration,
viz , that while there is a slight deficit discernable
upon the last Quarter, and a yet slighter one upon
the last Half-year, there is very,nearly a good round
million in the way of surplus upon the whole Year,
or, to be plain, a net increase upon the year to the
extent of exactly £808,842. There is but little doubt
of it, altogether, in point of fact, that we have small
reason for solicitude of any kind in regard to our
financial position—even in very despite of this
woeful civil war in North America, a war
that by necessity, of course, so very seriously
(but, thank Heaven, as our financial tables continue
to show for our consolation, not disastrously) affects
our manufactures. We should have still less reason
for anxiety in reference to those highly elaborated
but smoothly working contrivances by which the
balance is maintained in our complex fiscal
and financial arrangements accordingly as they
are modified by the annual influence of the Budget
--were it not for the remembrance that, in the
Verson of the gifted man who is now entrusted
warpthe responsibilities devolving upon England's
Chancellor of the Exchequer, we have, besides the
ling4e4tioilable Man of Genius, the great Orator,
the ri„
Ad iiitholr, the loyal Minister, the patriotic
aljuistreter_a most rash, a most dangerous,
and a moat
Of that
telutric Experimentalist as a Finan-
cier.ever. This --l-n7ete can be no further doubt what-
doubt of any lc
-a" year's Budget—if there ever was a
of even the films'
upon the subject-last that doubt at rest
at once and for Boer and
in the min—
conscience, that is, of
--°'''e Yone but a rigid par-
tisan of the Government.
Mr. GLADSTONE n
escapades of last year were too flignint, in truth,
of their kind to be very readily forgotten. The
proposed club tax, the proposed tax 11000 charities,
the whim3ey here, and the crotchet there, juggled
before the House by that ambidexterous rhetori-
cian, as cleverly but about as distressingly (merely
to witness even) as the flashing to and fro of the
half-dozen daggers tossed from hand to hand by
RAMMO-SAMMEE—who can think of these even
now without a qualm of discomfort at the prospect
next spring of another and kindred performance ?
Fantastic crotchets and whimsies in the way of
experimental-finance—(still in this like those
glittering daggers of RA31310-SAMMEE)—that
the conjuror himself might swallow but
that the spectators could not! Swept aside as
hardlylees perilous than they were beyond any doubt

ridiculous, they will in all likelihood, these dis-
creditable eccentricities in the last Budget be emu-
' lated in the next by others cgs perilous and as
ridiculous. It is the perpetual thought of this zn
futuro that yields us a qualm of discomfort, even
when we are most disposed to congratulate our-
selves while turning over (as we have been doing
just now) a comparatively satisfactory balance sheet.

Sir H. VERNEY and Mr. HUBBARD have been
practising their rhetoric in Buckingham with very
tolerable success. It is true that they did not
agree altogether in their estimate of foreign affairs,
particularly in regard to Russia and Poland. In
this skirmish Mr. HUBBARD had the worst of the
argument. He spoke at some length, and his ob.
nervations were very quietly put and speciously in-
troduced, but the tone of them altogether failed to
represent the spirit of the country. He stated
that it was a very satisfactory thing to notice that
Earl RUSSELL had observed lately that there was
no immediate chance of a war because of Poland.
This may be a fact, and perhaps it is, for all things
are not prepared for a contest just now, and there
are certain contingencies and difficulties that might
interpose awkward delays and occasion inconve-
nient :estrangements if that event took place. It
was the explanation of the affair that rendered Mr.
HUBBARD'S remarks so unsuitable, for he seemed to
insinuate that we had no right to have interfered at
all in the affair. He set out with this assertion,
that "non-intervention was the true policy of this 1
country—non-intervention in every case in which
the direct interest or honour of England did not
call upon us to go to war." This is rather a sweep-
ing assertion, because England would be stultifying
herself if she did nothing and said nothing, what-
ever happened of cruelty and tyranny in a foreign
State. It would not be doing nothing but perform-
ing something in a very bad cause if our mighty
nation had tamely acquiesced in the policy of St.
Petersburg, and thus tacitly encouraging the cruel
and devastating course that the legions of the Rus-
sians have been pursuing in Poland, turning her
fields into burial grounds, and threatening to de-
populate her cities. Mr. HUBBARD went on to say
that "great injustice had been done to Russia by
the way in which the question had been debated in
the House of Commons, and in every public meet-
ing which had been held in this country." It is a
great pity that any influential public man should
speak in this strain, because it furnishes an excuse
to the opponents of liberty to say that our country
is not at unity on the question. Mr. HUBBARD
was very indignant that we should have presumed
to dictate terms to a nation so mighty, to tell the
absolute ruler of seventy or eighty millions of men
to cease from hostilities. Times and manners must in-
deed have changed,for the worse when the exponents
of England's policy pause to re fleet if a ruler is mighty
before taking up the cause of the weak ho is tramp-
ling on, or defending the poor who are in jeopardy
from his wrath. If we are to fear any empire, from
whence are there to come any champions of the
oppressed. It should be the proudest boast of our
countrymen that their Government consider no state
too mean to be protected, and regard no empire as
too mighty to be opposed if the cause of justice
demands it. The spirit of honour, the claims of
humanity, and the voice of the oppressed ones on
GOD'S earth have ever been held sufficientlp potent
to call forth the assistance of England, and arm her
hosts for any encounter. It is a proud thought to
dwell upon that on our empire the sun never sets,
but it is a higher and better cause for rejoicing to
reflect that on our shores the slave is free. When
Mr. HUBBARD said that the first outbreak was the
"midnight assassination of Rassian troops quar-
tered in a Polish province," ho might have remem-
bered what caused that outbreak. The midnight
seizure of Polish youths to serve in the ranks of their
enemies will be held by many as a sufficient provo.
cative for even greater deeds of violence. It is
really a relief to turn to Sir H. VERNEY'S remarks
on this subject. He said that he dissented from his
colleague in his views regarding Poland. He gave
it as his opinion that "those who went to Russia
were miserably deceived," this is, doubtless, very
true, but those who stay at home will coincide with
Sir H. VERNEY'S assertion that, "there is no coun-
try in the world that has been so dreadfully tyran-
nised over as Poland has been by Russia." He
considered that we ought not to permit such a state
of things to go on without uttering a protest.
He went to political grounds, and stated that
peace could never be satisfactorily established
in Europe until Russia ceased to tyrannise over
Poland. This was a word in season, and must have
been the exponent of the feelings and the represen-
tation of the opinion of many persons. blr. HUB-
BARD'S views in regard to foreign policy were alto-
gether of a questionable character on this occasion.
He briefly adverted to America, and thereupon
affirmed that "in this case our Government had
acted with great firmness and consummate wisdom."
It would puzzle many to explain how and in what
matter " great firmness" is consistent with the
shuffling policy and variable demeanour that have
characterised all the course of the transactions of
our Ministers during the trans-Atlantic controversy.
" Consummate wisdom" does not appear in a line of
action that is estranging both sides from us far more
than any open espousal of an adverse cause would
have irritated either party. Lukewarm acquaint-
ances ale worse than enemies, and dilly-dallying
with things that want immediate decision, and a
wavering purpose in settling affairs where a strong
will is needed, can never occasion anything but
doubt and discontent. Non-intervention is not the
present policy towards America. Have we not
just heard Earl RUSSELL'S statement that he will
protect, to the utmost of his power, one side more
than the other. Everyone knows what that means
coming from such a quarter, and, therefore, it is
quite unavailing for adherents of his policy to try
to win over doubtful minds, for such bold assertions
are not proved at all.

Sir H. VERNEY spoke on the subject of labourer's
cottages. He expatiated on the advantage accruing
to the landlords by providing good and comfortable
residences. They might thus combine interest with
duty, and benefit themselves white they bestowed
a blessing upon others. He believed that the land-
lord could give his son no better education than
how to manage their land better and to obtain a
thorough knowledge of it. He had had ample
experience of the efficacy of the changes intro-
duced into the condition of the dwellings. I, He
had seen the character of the labourers improved
by taking them out of the bad cottages and placing
them in
good ones." Mr. HUBBARD, in adverting
to this subject, remarked that it had been said
the cottage question was a landlord's, but that it
was also a farmer's question. " The tenant fer-
nier paid wages to the labourer, who could only
cc, uiy his ttsg
e at a rent that would remune-
oval r when he got sufficient wages for
rate the
p coe
The p
tison to
interests roceedings passed off with
concerned, and the discussion
ofa i a
doubtless be productive of
great service to the good cause now in hand in
so many places of furnishing
shslflacacbtloiuor. all con
will
better homes for the
labouring classes. Experience
has attested in many
striking instances the vast importance to the com-
munity of enabling the labouring Gasses to live
with comfort, decency, and ease. It. is no use
popit, wisdom hearing sermon from th©

from the learned, or sage counsel from the em-
ployer, if he returns to a miserable dwelling that
seems a mockery of the sacred name of home, and
a violation of all the best feelings of humanity.
Eloquent exhortation have not been wanting to
testify to the importance and extent of the advan-
tages ensured to a country when possessed of a
hardy generation of the sons of the soil. In fanciful
allegory one writer has declared that "Xs from the
peasant's hardy stock the race of giants are;'' and
the Ayrshire Ploughman has made memorable the
following vindication of his class in these lines :-
6' Princes and peers may flourish or may fade,
A breath can make them as a breath has made;
But a bold peasantry, their country's pride,
When once destroyed can never be supplied,"

It would seem that liberal principles are rapidly
developing themselves in Denmark, and there is no
reason to hope that the stormy period through
which she has passed will lead in the end to sub-
stantial benefits. Once relieved from the weight of
German authority, and set free from the continental
harass to which he has been subjected, the KING no
doubt has liberal views and tendencies. He and his
Ministers have the sagacity to see that they must
identify themselves with the party of progress and
constitutional government, if they hope to retain
their position in Europe. It is an independent and
constitutional monarch, supported by the love of his
people and anxious for their welfare, that King
CHRISTIAN claims our sympathies, and, although
an excuse might easily be made for deferring the
proposed reforms until a more tranquil time,
it is
certain that the line now taken is the wiser as well
as the bolder one. No time has been lost in fulfil-
link the expectations of the people. The day after
the assembling of the Rigsraad the President of the
Council laid before it the draught of a new consti-
tution for Denmark and Schleswig, by which all
questions common to the two provinces are
to be
regulated. This draught shows, we are told, great
progress in the development of liberal ideas in Den-
mark, and from what we can learn of it such is cer-
tainly the case. The members of the Lower House
are to be freely elected without any consideration
as to their income or the income of the electors. A
property qualification will only be requisite for the
members of the Upper House. This is certainly an
important step, and it will make the constitution of
the two representatives in some respects
similar to
that of our English Houses of Parliament' All
matters concerning Denmark per se will be settled
by the Rigsraad, and those of Schleswig by the
estates of that Duchy. There is, therefore, a
fair
opening for a new political career, but unhappily
the
the Holstein discussion is not at an end. When in-
deed will it ever be ?It has become chronic
difficulty of European statesmen, and anY
means of
satisfactory settlement would be accepted gladly
by the political world at large. It may be that
such a settlement is at hand, and that German as-
sumption and obstinacy will push matters to an ex-
tremity that will necessitate the final adjustment of
the long-pending dispute. Supported by the alli-
ance of Sweden, who has come boldly to the rescue,
and strong in the unanimity of her Pe°Ple' Den-
mark presents no contemptible front to the German
invader. Should matters prcceed much
further,
moreover, England must infallibly take part, and
that part, notwithstanding the sympathies of our
Foreign Minister, will not be with the
German
Confederation.

At every port the arrival of the Channel Fleet is
Ireland has, of course, formed no e
the signal for festivities and rejoicings. Hospitable
Liverpool in the warmth of its re
rule, and has rivalled Glasgow, Sunderland, and
sception to the
extent of its interest. The visit to Belfast has been
option and the
succeeded by a trip to the Bay of Dublin, and
although, unfortunately, from the state of the wea-
ther, their stay was necessarily very
limited, there
can be no doubt that it was very beneficial in its
influence, enlisting the
quick sympathies of the
Hibernians on behalf of their
noble vessels and
their intelligent and courteous commanders. The
banquet given by the citizens of Dublin to Admiral
DACRES was the occasion•for great
rejoicings, and
although the time for preparation was necessarily
limited, the goodwill of the
hosts displayed itself in
the brilliancy of the reception. The
addresses were
chiefly remarkable from their heartiness and
owed
unanimity. The Mayor,
c-fly
ex
in proposing the health of
his visitors, remarked that
the
"wooden walls" to
which Old England chi
now things of the past, but he her glory, were
pressed his
hocon-
viction that as much depended on the men as on the
ships, and certainly,
Weyer
beneficial may be
changes in the one, we need not seek to improve A
upon the other.
Admiral DACRES, who will be-
come quite an orator if he has so many opportuni-
ties for speechmaking, said, as he has said before in
other words, that the enthusiasm
of the people at
visited
every spot they have
showed the very strong
interest felt in the
Nay throughout the country.
The gallant Admiral attached great importance to
the unity of feeling
NT
between the merchant service
and the Navy, and
hinted that valuable allies for
the national cause
were to. be found, if need existed,
in the merchant service. In the course of the even-
ing a bumper was drunk to the health of Sir LEO-
POLD MeCLINTOCEI, a
countryman of whom Irish..
men may well be
proud, and that officer, in return-
ing thanks, spoke of the liberal praise bestowed on
him and his companions. It was not surprising
that the successful
explorers of the far-famed North-
West Passage Should have been warmly greeted by
their countrymen, for
the achievement of that task, which seemed well-
nigh an impossibility, not only did they celebrate
but, in honouring them, the
nation paid homage
to the brave men who had laid
down their lives in those inhospitable regions. No
guest could have been more fitting at a banquet held
in honour of ships
and sailors, and no one could
have been better qualified to appreciate the capa-
bilities of the noble vessels then anchored in the
Bay. Universal admiration of them is expressed,
and a feeling of
Confidence and security appears to
spring up in the minds of landsmen at the sight of
such capable defenders. A commercial gentleman
of Dublin gave
an amusing illustration of this. He
had lately heard some one making inquiries about
a Southern farmer of enormous size and strength.
" Was he a quarrelsome man ?" " Ah, no," was
the reply, '° nut in tile least." " Was he ever seen
to fight ?" " No, never ; he was a very quiet man
entirely ; he was a most peaceable man ; but (this
was added in a whisper) I never saw the man who
had a fancy to fight with him !" Such, it is to be
hoped, will be the case with that goodly array of
" leviathans afloat" under the command of Admiral
DACILES ; and certainly it must be a satisfaction to
all lovers of peace and safety that we have such a
" material guarantee" for the undisturbed repose of
our shores. The cruise of this year has unques-
tionably done good in awakening the old naval
enthusiasm of the people, and in showing them
that all the discussions about national defences have
not ended in empty words, but that England really
possesses a fleet worthy of her name, her position,
and her character.

THE FRENCH EXHIBITION OF THE WORKS OF
LIVING ARTISTS, to be held next year in Paris, will open
on the Ist of Nay, and close on the lOth of June. Foreign
as well as French pictures will be admitted. Works for
exhibition are to be sent in between the 10th and 20th of
March next,