The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-21 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1853.

Notwithstanding all the efforts that have been
made to puff the Budget as the most brilliant
financial scheme ever submitted for Legislative
consideration, its defects are becoming too plainly
and too painfully apparent to let it be supposed
that it will be permitted to pass without great
and serious opposition. The proposal for the re-
newal of the Income Tax, in all its unmitigated
atrocity, has excited universal disgust throughout
the country—a disgust considerably enhanced in
many quarters by the specious sophistries with which
its author has attempted to show that there is prac-
tically no injustice to the merchants, traders, and
manufacturers who, notwithstanding the precarious
nature of their profits, are compelled to pay on
"what the collectors choose to assess" as much
as the fuudholder on his dividend, or the landowner
on his ground-rent. True it is that trade may for a
period be brisk, and matters go en swimmingly,
but there are terrible reverses to be encountered—
reverses for which every person embarked in busi-
ness of the ordinary class must make full prepara-
tion ; and although he may cheerfully pay his
quota when times are propitious, and his account
shows a balance at the right side of the ledger,
it will he very difficult to do so when bad debts have
accumulated, and he is greatly puzzled to make both
ends meet, so as to avoid a very unenviable notice
in the Gazette. Then, indeed, the visit of the
collector becomes not merely irksome, but alto-
together detestable. In place of gaining hand-
some profits, he has sustained heavy, perhaps
ruinous, losses. H• •
is time and labour have
been thrown
his capital haslarge proportion of
accompanied them ; but
still the i
gatherer insists on
abyle—a
payment to the last farthingxin- cu. ideal
demur, profits, or, if
ti.torial and prying
there be any
examination into all his transactions.
may
to pay, or to appeal against the asseas. His refusal
volve the disclosure of all his dealings,sent'
bly the .betrayal of his secrets to histaadni d possi-
bly
to hint
petitors. It is very well for Mr. GLAbsnlgo
speak of of the evils of self-assessment,
that British merchants and traders—inen
who
have hitherto maintained unblemished reputations
—are willing to commit gross frauds on the re-
venue—to state wilful and deliberate falsehoods
under their hands for the purpose of obtaining
paltry savings. There may, and we have no
doubt, are, many persons who consider that an
unjust and inequitable impost of the kind may be
evaded by any means, but it is a gross libel on a
numerous, an influential, and a high-minded class
to assert that such unjustifiable proceedings are
monly resorted to—or that the merchants and
rets of Great Britain are so notoriously dis-
t , that their uniair returns, and, conse-
.; diminished charges, may be considered as
g ample equivalents for the differences be- a

tween precarious and transitory, and fixed and per-
manent incomes.

That the existing system has a very demoralising

tendency we willingly admit. It is one of the
strongest objections to the system which Mr.
GT.ADSTONE is endeavouring to renew, with all its

atrocities unchanged and unmitigated. But al-
though many may unfortunately fall, on behalf of
the general body, we repel, with just indignation,
the foul imputation. We believe that on a
strict ' scrutiny it would be found that
many men submit to pay double or even
treble assessment rather than submit to the
unpleasant alternative—and that, taking the en-
tire as a class, an average of far more than 7d. in
the pound is paid on the bona fide profits of per-
sons chargeable. under schedule D.

But beside the objections to the Income Tax,
there is one portion of the Budget so unfair—we
will not use the still stronger terms justly applicable
to the matter—that it must induce independent
Members to hesitate before they can lend their
sanction to such a transaction. It may not be
Parliamentary to impute motives, but their can-
not be much doubt as to the intent and object of
the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER in offering—
we will not call it the bribe—" the rose by any
other name will smell as sweet "—but the great

concession to the Times. That journal had long
ably and eloquently denounced the gross injustice
of the present system under which the Income
Tax was apportioned. It pointed out the gross
and palpable injustice of charging equally all de-
scriptions of income without reference to the source
from whence it might be derived. And from its pre-
vious observations—it was almost certain that it
would have hurled its thunder at the devoted head
of any man, or any Ministry, that proposed to con-
tinue so monstrous a grievance. The Times could
not, we believe, be bribed with money. But
there are other modes of accomplishing a similar
object by more delicate means. The man
who accepted a good situation for himself,
or his friend, as the condition of his support,
should not regard with virtuous indignation
the backslidings of the more vulgar recipient
of £s. d. The immaculate proprietor of East
India Stock, who votes with the promise of a
cadetship for his younger son, should not con-
demn the guzzling elector of the borough of
Eatanswill, whose most sweet voice could be ob-
tained for a gluttonous meal, accompanied by
sundry glasses of diluted alcohol. There can be
no doubt on the point. The CHANCELLOR of the
EXCHEQUER threw a tempting sop to the
Cerberus of the fourth estate, and the vigilant
guardian devoured the delectable morsel. Mr.
BRIGHT'S motion, this evening, will show that it

is the only journal that will profit by *the change.
The whole 40,0001. per annum will go into its
coffers ! For although there may be other papers
that publish supplements, there aro none in which

the supplements can be devoted exclusively
to advertisements, and be it remembered,
that, without the stamp, these supplements
will have similar postal facilities to those
enjoyed by others that are duly stamped.
The double supplement to the Times —such
as . were published yesterday and this day,
and for which 40,000 pence, or £166 3s. 4d.,
has been paid for each publication—will become of
daily occurrence. This is no ordinary inducement,
and its effect will be seen by the altered tone of
the Leviathan respecting the renewal of an un-
modified Income Tax.

It is consolatory to observe the pertinacity with
which reformers, really devoted to the cause they
have espoused, continue their exertions, repeat
their efforts, reiterate their arguments, until they
have actually attained the object of their aspira-
tions. From the history of their proceedings we
might cull illustration. after illustration in testi-
mony of the all-conquering energies of Persever-
ance. Perseverance, indeed, like JACK in the
story-book, is endowed at once with the shues of
swiftness and the sword of sharpness.. 'Even if, at
times, apparently most sluggish, it is. nevertheless
all the while advancing, imperceptibly it may be,
but on that account no less surely, to the goal--
and arrives there at last like Asor's tortoise.
Remember how CHARLES VILLIERS battled session
after session for those doctrines of Free Trade
which were ultimately enabled to triumph, through
the patriotic magnanimity of Sir ROBERT PEEL--
those great principles which since the death
of that illustrious statesman have been
recognised and adopted even by the agricu.-
turists under the modified phrase of " un-
restricted competition." Remember how one of
the surgeons of London, unaided by any sustain-

ing auspices, unbacked by any potent influence,
supported only by his indomitable resolution, and
his unflinching determination, insisted upon the
really " vital" importance of the Dead-Man's
Question for fifteen or sixteen consecutive years,
in spite of scarcely numerable discouragements—
at first even without one solitary supporter. And
see him now, rewarded, morally rewarded at
least, by the dawning triumphs of the beneficent
purpose to the furtherance of which his whole
heart and soul (to say nothing of his time and
money) seem to have been ungrudgingly dedicated.
Recollect, too, the dogged- resolve shown year
after year by "EM MY BERKELEY in bringing the
merits of the Ballot favourably under the con-
sideration of Parliament : and recollect, as we
shall infallibly have to recollect, for the success of
the Ballot is inevitable--its success we mean, here,

in being accepted by the Legislature when
Bribery shall at last haVe been effectually pre-
vented through its instrumentality, and when it
shall thereby have removed an odious and damn-
ing blot from the system of popular representation.
Acting with like resolution, CHARLES PEARSON

has long continued to agitate the advisability of
carrying out his scheme for a great Central Rail-
way Terminus as the core of a comprehensive pro-
ject of metropolitan improvements. We are re-
joiced to observe that an eminent fellow-labourer,
FRANCIS BEN-Noon, is evincing at this moment a
similar sense of the efficacy of perseverance. He
is doing this not by another effective speech
fore the Common Councilmen, but by echoing his
previous assertions on the subject of the Bridges
of London, in his newly-assumed character as a
pamphleteer. "Are More Bridges Needed ?" is
the designation of his apt brochure ;* and as the
very title-page informs the reader plainly, that
question is " Answered Affirmatively." Every
one who bears in recollection Mr. BENNOCR'S
previous arguments in relation to this sub-
ject, besides those of our readers who re-
member the comments passed upon the mat-
ter more than once by ourselves, will not
marvel for an 'instant that the inquiry has been
made at all, much less will they wonder that, having
been made, it has been at once boldly answered in
the affirmative. The insufficiency of the present
means of transit across the Silent Highway is suffi-
ciently apparent. Hitherto the utmost amount
of accommodation obtained in this way has been
the construction of six bridges between the twin
cities of London and Westminster. Six—while
Paris has about four times as many for 'the con-
venience of its inhabitants. , Six—namely, Lon-
don, Southwark, Blackfriars, Waterloo, Hunger-
ford, and Westminster. Six—and out of these
six actually but one in every way worthy of the
British metropolis, the other five being either
tolled or dilapidated ! That one is, of course,
London-bridge. Among the remaining five, two
of them are free, but it must be remembered
at the same time that they are ruinously ricketty,
meaning obviously Blackfriars and Westminster.
Three others have still to be accounted for in our
h examination—butfoot those three, though otherwise
itnetheir stability admirable, are unhappily tolled,
he can cross Pas '
sen,rer being mulcted of a penny before
wishes to
Soutlmark, and of a halfpenny if he
Southwark,
either Waterloo or Hungerford.
It must be repeated that London-bridge is the •
Thamesonly on
ebeatrawoelleigt itthaendsi X-W Westminster
spanning
irnowotemr
forin everyimro re-
no sped worthy of its position.
y. There
isn Clearly this is thine •
endeavour -should be to render free—
Southwark, improve-
ment. oe
11 a. y Boa tu i
rs f a c to r
;end ungerford. Another
Southwark, Waterloo,

* "The Bridges of London. 'Are more Bridges
Nee led ?' Answered Affirmatively." By Francis Ben-
noel. Bvo. pp. 55. Effingham Wilson, London, 1853.

effort should be, to thoroughly renovate—Black-
friars and Westminster. Another, according to
Mr. BENNocu, should be to erect three other
bridges (" free," of course, and " adapted for car-
riage traffic") at points thus situated—St.
Paul's, Temple, and Charing-cross. Besides
this increase of accommodation, the originator
of this most commendable scheme proposes that
there should be intermediate points for additional
transit across the river by steam ferries. It must
be confessed, even by those who may be the most
strenuously opposed to the boldness of these pro-
jected innovations, that as yet London has at-
tended but indifferently in this matter to the con-
venience of its enormous population. Nowadays
there are plenty of steamboats plying to and fro
along the channel of the Thames, but across the
river, what inadequate means of conveyance have
hitherto been afforded to the multitude. Some-
thing in the way of speedy and comprehensive
change has at length become in this respect,
we rejoice to think, imperatively requisite.
People almost universally allow, at last, that each
of the five bridges already specified, is nothing
less odious than a most intolerable nuisance.
Southwark, Waterloo, and Hungerford—by not
being free I Blackfriars and Westminster, by
being in a disgraceful state of dilapidation !
London-bridge alone is really creditable to the
metropolis, and worthy of its designation.
From the perseverance shown by Mr. BEN-
NOCH, we are disposed to augur well for the
scheme of which he is the originator. His
new pamphlet is appropriately addressed "to the
metropolitan public in general, and to the mem-
bers of the Corporation of the City of London in
particular." It insists especially upon the necessity
of constructing another 'bridge across the river
Thames, nearly half-way between Southwark and
Blackfriars. It reminds the community that no
less than thirty years have elapsed since any addi-
tional bridge was projected, and that twenty-
two years have elapsed since the last was
opened, although meanwhile " nearly a mil-
lion has been added to the metropolitan
•
population." Time enough that some energetic
effort was made to remove this discredit from the •
inhabitants of London and Westminster. • With
London-bridge already possessing (as it undoubt-
edly does) " traffic enough for any three bridges
of equal width," with Southwark tolled, and
Blackfriars ruinous, and Waterloo tolled, and
Hungerford tolled, and Westminster dilapidated—
there is obviously room in this matter, as we
cannot readily tire of repeating, for very
desirable and very comprehensive improvements.
Mr. WALKER is witnessing the gradual adoption
of his ideas in regard to the intramural graveyards.
Mr. PEARSON is beginning to perceive the accept-
ance of his project for a Central Railway Terminus.
Mr. BENNOCH, we must hope, will very speedily
prove not less fortunate in reference to the adop-
tion of his noble scheme for better bridges across
the Thames in London and Westminster.

PRICE OF GOLD.—The quotation of gold at Paris is
about at par (according to the last tariff), which, at the
English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 101 d. per ounce for
standard gold, gives au exchange of 25.17 ; and the ex-
change at Paris on London at short being 25.05, it
follows that gold is about 0.48 per cent. dearer in Paris
than in London. By advices from Hamburgh the price
of gold is 427 per mark, which, at the English Mint
price of 3/. 17s. 10d. per ounce for standard gold, gives
an exchange of 13.6 ; and the exchange at Hamburgh
on London at short being 13.6, it follows that gold is
the same price in Hamburgh that it is in London. The
course of exchange at New York on London for bills at
60 days' sight is 109 k per cent., and, the par of exchange
between England and America being 109 23-40 perpent.,
it follows that the exchange is nominally 0.08 per cent.
against England ; but, after making allowance for
charges of transport, the present rate leaves no profit
on the transmission of gold either way between the two
countries.

THE TOWER.—The Tower Wharf has been for some
days a semi-fashionable promenade, in consequence of
her Majesty's ship Crocodile having hauled close along-
side, so that persons are enabled to walk on board, and
many have availed themselves of the opportunity of
visiting this ship of war. Her removal to her present
situation has been rendered necessary in consequence of
the accumulation of mud at her old moorings, so that
she could not lie afloat at low water, although drawing
but 11 feet. This having been represented to the
Trinity Board, one of their large dredging engines,
driven by steam-power, has been set to work with such
success, that it is expected she will resume her old
position in a few days.
CLosnia OF CHEAPSIDE.—This morning Cheapside,
one of the most important thoroughfares within the
City, as being the principal line for traffic from the
West-end to the Bank and the eastern districts of the

metropolis, was closed for the purpose of repairing Milk-
street to the Old Jewry, by order of the Lord Mayor.
The obstruction is the source of considerable incon-
venience and delay to passengers by omnibuses and
other vehicles, as they have to take a very cir-
cuitous route, either by Gresham-street or Watling-
street, both already overcrowded with heavily laden
vans and waggons. The repaving has been rendered
necessary owing to late heavy rains having caused the
substratum to sink so much that, in some places, the
ruts were nearly six inches deep. The new pavement is
being laid with oblong blocks of granite, on a bed of
concrete, which method is e/pected to withstand the
constant abrasion much better than that heretofore
in use.

FATAL ACCIDENT TO A FRENCHMAN.—On Sunday
evening last a party of French ladies and gentlemen
were returning to town from High Beech, where they
had spent .the day ; they stopped the carriage for the
purpose of gathering some shrubs that grew in the forest,
when Monsieur Curies suddenly fell from the box, struck
his head on the road, and died instantly. He wag con-
veyed to the Castle Inn, at Woodford, as soon as possi-
ble. Dr. Bunce immediately attended but could render
no assistance.
PRIVATE LIGHTHOUSES.--Yesterday a return to Par-
liament was printed, showing that on the 14th instant
the amount of debt due to the Trinity Corporation for
buying up private lighthouses was 97,5001.
MERCANTILE MARINE FUND.—Yesterday was printed
an account of the income and expenditure under the
Mercantile Marine Act for the year ending the 31st De-
cember last. The income was 28,2391. Gs. 6d., of which
12,404/. 11s. 6d. were fees on the engagement of crews,
and 10,969/. 9s. 6d. on the discharge of crews. The ex-
penditure was 23,7001. 25., and at the end of the year
the balance, being the excess of income over expenditure,
was 4,044/. 12s. 11d.
TWELVE DAYS FROM CONSTANTINOPLE TO LONDON.—
Mr. Drury Wake arrived on the 15th inst. at Steven's
Hotel overland from Constantinople. He immediately
proceeded to the Foreign-office with dispatches for Lord
Clarendon, having made the journey in twelve days, in-
cluding quarantine and other necessary delays.
ATHLONE ELECTION.—The nomination at Athlone
took place yesterday, when Keogh and Norton were
proposed. The town tranquil. Keogh's return con-
sidered certain.

SIR WALTER GILBERT.—We regret to learn that
letters from Alexandria give an unsatisfactory account
of the health of that distinguished officer, Sir Walter
Gilbert. Up to the departure of the last mail, he ap-
pears to have derived but little benefit from the climate
of Egypt,- which he was recommended to try, when
forced by illness to leave Calcutta, and it is much
feared that he will be unable to resume his duties in
India.

PROPOSED NEW BRIDGE BETWEEN SOUTHWARK AND
BLACKFRIARS.—A report received from the " Bridge-
house committee " of the Common Council in relation
to the proposed erection of a new bridge between Black-
friars and Southwark-bridges, and the rebuilding of
Blackfriars-bridge, has been ordered to be printed. The
report stated that the committee were of opinion that
additional bridge accommodation was desirable, and re-
commended the court to entertain Mr. Deputy Ben-
noah's proposition for a new bridge, " provided the ne-
cessary funds could be obtained for the purpose."
PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—The reproduction of Mr.
Westland Marston's exquisite play of Anne Blake, on
Tuesday evening, was hailed with the applause of a full
and fashionable audience and the performers, who each
and all, acquitted themselves to perfection, received an
enthusiastic recall at the termination of the piece. -Marco
Spada, with the unequalled brilliancy of its ball-room
scene, and the excellent acting of Mr. Ryder, and of that
admirably assorted pair of comedians, Mr. Walter Lacy
and Miss Carlotta Leclercq, who keep the house in per-
petual hilarity while upon the scene, continues to be
most attractive. On the nights when Macbeth, is per-
formed, not a seat in the theatre is left unoccupied.
ANOTHER TRAGEDY IN LANCASHIRE.—PRESTON, WED-
NESDAY.—On Monday evening, the village of Hamble-
ton, which is only about four miles from Garstang, was
startled by the report of a gun in the house of Richard
Pedder, a boatman, aged 40, and on a search being in-
stituted the dead body of Mrs. Pedder was found
stretched upon the floor of the house. The evidence
given at the inquest held this day, showed that the un-
fortunate woman was in the garden, and that her brutal
husband seized a duck-gun and pointing it through the
window, shot her dead, and then dragged the body into
the house. After perpetrating the crime the murderer
escaped, but he was apprehended in a subsequent part
of the evening by police constable Cooper, and lodged in
the lock-up, to await the result of the coroner's inquest,
which took place this day, and which ended in his com-
mittal to Lancaster to take his trial at the August
.Assizes on the charge of wilful murder.

SHOOTING AT A ROMAN CATHOLIC CLERGYMAN.—`j' e
understand that the Rev. Mr. Glacken, the parish priest
of Gartan, Donegal, was fired at by an asssassin, on
Wednesday, the 6th inst., within two miles of his re-
sidence, between the hours of three and four o'clock in
the afternoon. The injury he had sustained is very
trivial, only a few grains of shot having lodged in- his'
right hand and chin. No cause as yet has been assigned
for this attack.--. Derry Journal.