The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-02 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 1853.

The would-be fiscal Autocrat has received a
severe but salutary lesson. The independent
members of the House of Commons have vindi-
cated their own characters, and have proved to
the Chancellor of the Exchequer that he has
strangely mistaken his position, that he is not the
master but merely the servant of the House, and
that he is bound to respect its decisions, and not
to place his own pedantic crotchets in opposition
to the deliberate opinions of a numerous and in-
fluential majority. We should have felt astonished
at the obstinate perversity of the Right Honour-
able Gentleman in persisting so resolutely against
the wishes of his own friends on such a matter,
whieh involved no question of principle, or any
large amount of revenue, but for the success of a
former attempt on a question of even greater im-
portance. Fiscal Reformers ought to have firmly
resisted the proposition for the renewal of
the Income Tax without modification or im-
provement. The subservience then exhibited
by those who had previously insisted on
the necessity not merely of recognising a distinc-
tion between precarious and permanent incomes,
but of making ample allowance for the difference
in value, established a very bad precedent. The
Right Honourable Gentleman became intoxicated
by the absolute authority which he was then per-
mitted to exercise. He thought the House bound
to register his decrees--that nothing was required
to enforce any principle beyond his mere ipse
dixit, and that the "sic volo sic jubeo" is a sufficient
argument in any case. In these views he appears
to be supported by the Ministerial leader of the
House of Commons, who presumed to read a lec-
ture to the free and independent representatives
of free and independent constituencies, for their
audacity in daring to question the proposition of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in disputing
the despotic authority which he endeavoured to
arrogate to himself, but to which assumption the
House has shown its unflinching determination
not to succumb. The Noble Lord would
materially narrow the functions of the popular
anosentatives; he would endeavour to limit their
privileges to a mere acceptance or rejection of a
financial scheme, without the power of alteration
or emendation. They were to accept with " bated
breath and deep humility" the crumbs which, in
the plenitude of his bounty, he chose to place be-
fore them ; to stultify themselves by swallowing
their own words whenever he deemed it expedient
to despise their votes, and refuse to act in accord-
ance with resolutions adopted in a full House by
an overwhelming majority after mature and care-
ful consideration. The cool impertinence of telling
the house that the Chancellor of the Exchequer
had very fully detailed " his whole plan of finance
for the w
year—that he had laid don the pro-
positions which he thought the House ought to
adopt, and had stated the taxes which, in his
opinion, they ought to continue, and which to
repeal ;" and clearly indicating that all they had
then to do was to accept the plan so laid down in
its entirety, without venturing to complain or re-
monstrate, had the effect of exciting the indigna-
tion of the House, and, perhaps, in some degree,
of producing the auspicious result that followed.
All honour to those by whom that result was
obtained—to Mr. MILNER GIBSON and his high-
minded and honourable associates, through whose
zealous co-operation the blow so mortifying to the
Pride of the Financial Minister has been inflicted.
'They have nobly discharged the duty they owed
to the country—have vindicated their own con-
-BisenoY, and fully justified the confidence re-
Po sed in their integrity and unflinching determi-
nation. They
have indeed merited the thanks
and gratitude of the people, and have taught a
lesson Min
gotten to • isters that will not speedily be for-
But it is now iu
bent on them to follow up
the victory they have
that their decision be that dy achieved, to see
of cawed
tion. The Chancellor into practical opera-
with his partial triumph in thee chequer, flushed
attempt once more to take the
instance, may
House, and to overthrow the opinion of the
'escalation finally
adopted. The matter will again totraght under
the consideration of the House on
and although we cannot suppose that even
GLADSTONE would venture to propose tehe-
duty again after its having been. so decisively
negatived, it is well to be prepared for any alter-
native—to attend in sufficient numbers—to pre-
vent any attempt at foul play. Let every gentle-
, man who voted for the total rt.)peal of the

noxious impost, on either occasion, be found at
his post 'when the emergency shall arrive. Let
nothing induce him to absent himself from the
House when the several resolutions axe to be
reported.
It will be seen from the debate, that Mr.
GLADSTONE did not offer a single argument in
favour of the retention of the insignificant por-
tion of the obnoxious impost for continuing the
entire machinery, vexatious and oppressive as it
is known to be, for the sake of catching the paltry
6d., and thus saving some 60,0001., at the cost of
alienating his friends and supporters, towards
whom he displayed such contemptuous indiffer-
ence. His entire speech was directed, not to the
question before the House, not to the policy of
maintaining an equal duty on all Advertisements
contained in newspapers or periodicals, books, or
pamphlets, but in reference to the unsolicited
surrender of the Stamp Duty on supplements,
which he gave up without any legitimate object,
but merely as a " gratification" to the Leviathan,
into whose coffers four-fifths of the amount thus
relinquished, would find its way.
To this he directed his entire attention, believ-
ing that the House was prepared to vote black
white at his dictation. He was, however, mis-
taken, for although Mr. MILNER GIBSON'S propo-
sition " that all duties chargeable on Advertise-
ments be repealed in accordance with the resolution
of the House of the 14th April last," was re-
jected by a majority of nine, he (Mr. GLAD-
STONE) subsequently experienced two successive
defeats. The first when the question that the duty
be 6d., was negatived by a majority of "five ;"
the second, when Mr. CRAWFORD'S proposition
that no duty whatever be inserted in the Bill,
was carried by 70 to 61—or nine of a majority.
Should he, however, persist in his stubborn de-
termination to run his head against a wall by
setting the strongly-expressed wish of the House
at defiance, he must offer some stronger reasons
for his decision, some better excuses for his equi-
vocation, when he informed the deputation that
waited on him, after the vote of the 14th April,
that " the subject was under consideration,"
although his mind was fully made up at the time,
than those which he thought it worth his while
to bring forward yesterday evening. He must
consider how injurious such defeats are to the
stability of any Government, and make up his
mind that he will not again subject himself
thereto.

It is impossible to estimate too highly the im-
portance of the measure which the Hon. and
Learned Gentleman the Member for the county of
Cork explained in a speech of great ability and
clearness in the House of Commons on Wednes-
day, and which was then read a second time, on
the understanding that it should be referred to
the select committee on the Registration of Assur-
ances Bill. Mr. SCULLY is entitled to much credit
for the care and attention he has manifestly be-
stowed on the subject, and which has enabled him
to devise a scheme so effective and yet so simple,
combining, at the same time, complete security of
title with moderate expenditure, and, what is
scarcely less important in many instances, reason-
able expedition. It is to be regretted that the
bill (the object of which is to facilitate the trans-
fer of land) should only extend to Ireland. The
most interesting experiments, so far as legal re-
forms are concerned, have recently been tried in
that country, and it has probably been in a great
degree ascribable to the beneficial results of the
measures carried into partial operation there, that
we have been enabled here to overcome the ha-
bitual timidity and over caution felt by profes-
sional men, and their deference for even the
abuses that have sprung up in the administration
of the law during successive ages. We need
scarcely here allude to the County Courts, and
the code framed for the recovery of small debts in
England, which are to a great extent based on the
same foundation as the Assistant-barristers' Courts
in Ireland—to the Common Law Procedure Act,
which followed one of a very similar character
that came into operation on the other side of
St. George's Channel the preceding year, or to
the Chancery reforms, which were not introduced
in England until they had previously been tested
at the Four Courts. The unexpected success that
has hitherto attended the Irish experiments paved
the way for the introduction ‘of much-required
reforms in the administration of justice by our
own tribunals, and we confidently look forward to
the time, and that not very distant, when we shall
have an Encumbered Estates Act for Great Bri-
tain, a fusion of the Courts of Equity and Common
Law, with a satisfactory verification of pleadings, the
most efficient means of stopping undue litigation,
and the establishment of a land tribunal which may
provide for the cheap and speedy transfer of real
estates—or for the issuing of debentures charge-
able thereon, which should circulate from hand to
hand like bank notes, being payable to bearer,
and negotiable by simple delivery.
The task undertaken by Mr. SCULLY was, in-
deed, of a peculiarly arduous character, such as a
private member might have well shrunk from un-
dertaking. It was one the vast importance of
which had been fully recognised for a considerable
time. The attention of the real Property Com-
missioners had been directed to the subject ; but,
though fully alive to the magnitude of the evil,
those Learned Gentlemen did not suggest any
practical or adequate remedy. The Committee of
the House of Lords, which had also maturely
considered the existing system, reported in 1846
that the marketable value of real property was
considerably diminished by the complexity of
titles, and the great prolixity of the transfer
deeds, which entailed enormous expenses on every
occasion of its being dealt with either by way of
sale or mortgage, and strongly recommended
a complete revision of the existing system of
conveyancing. Further inquiries have since
taken place—the commission, of which Lord
LANGDALE was the head, examined many wit-
nesses—but, except by the Encumbered Estates
Act, no measure at all adequate to the emergency
was carried. That was indeed a very decisive step
in the right direction, and so far as it has since
been tried, nothing could be more satisfactory than
its working. From the time of the establishment
of the Court, up to the Ist of April last, property
has been sold which realised no less than
8,700,000/. sterling, of which 6,100,000/. had
actually been distributed, and' we believe that not
a single reasonable or well-founded complaint has
been put forward against the system which pro-
duced such gigantic results, or to occasion regret
at its introduction. There have, of course, been
complaints on the part of proprietors who found
themselves summarily dispossessed of the estates
which had perhaps descended to them through a
long line of ancestors, and the same transferred
to strangers for a gent deal less than they had be-
lieved to be the fair value. Such persons, more
especially those who had themselves no hand in
creating the embarrassments under which they
were suffering, who succeeded to lands encum-
bered to nearly the full value, were greatly
Ito be pitied ; but even so far as they were con-
cerned it was a mercy to bring the matter to a
speedy conclusion, and to remove the deceptive
medium through which they had been in the
habit of viewing their concerns, so that they might
form an accurate
judgment of the real state of
their affairs. The speedy
execution of the new
tribunal was far preferable to the slow and pro-
tracted torture, the peine fort et dare, of the Court
of Chancery, which would prove no less destruc-
tive in the long run, after the mind had been
harassed and unfitted for the practical business
of life, or for earning an honourable independence
by the exercise of the talents with which they
wore gifted. Those who complained that nothing
was left for them in consequence of the low prices
at which their properties were sold, may feel well
assured that their positions would not have been
in any degree improved if the established practice
of the Court of Chancery had been pursued,
and the lands sold by one of the masit.ers,
without Parliamentary titles. Any surplus that
remained after satisfying the various charges
would have been absorbed by
the lawyers, and.
small indeed would have been the sum that would
have found its way to the hands of the quondam
owner
• Any chance of a residue, with which to
vrmailuciace " the battle of life" de novo, arose from
,

the facility of transfer, and moderation of ex-
pense, occasioned by the new enactments ; and,
therefore, as we have stated, even owners could
not complain at the operation of a law by which
they might have been benefitted, but could not
possibly have been injured.
But if such was the case with proprietors, how
were the mortgagees, the encumbrancers, and the
occupiers of the lands affected ? The former, in
place of having to submit for a long series to
"the hope deferred that maketh sick the heart"—
in place of being compelled to see the accumu-
lation of arrears year after year, while they
were enduring all the evils of poverty, in conse-
quence of their rights being withheld by the
tedious delays of the so-called Court of Equity—
obtained speedy payment, while the tenantry
were removed from the control of the worst
possible manager—the receiver of the Court
of Chancery—whose blighting influence had
passed into a proverb, opposing insuperable ob-
stacles to anything in the shape of improvement.
From such hands they passed into that of persons
who were probably both able and willing to afford
reasonable encouragement for better cultivation,
who stimulated their industry and promoted their
comfort. Could there be a doubt remaining as to
the advantages of a system producing such results ?
And why, we ask, should Great Britain be debarred
from such advantages
A further benefit would have been conferred on
Irish landowners had the measure introduced by
Sir JOHN RoMILLY, " the Security for Advances
Bill," received the legislative sanction. The
pressure of business, however, prevented that
admirable plan from being carried into practical
execution. We have so repeatedly directed public
attention to its provisions, that it is unnecessary
to say more at present than that the only objec-
tion to its adoption was its limited character, that
it applied only to estates sold under the Encum-
bered Estates Commission, and, therefore, might
cast impediments in the way of solvent
persons, without embarrassment, from obtaining
the pecuniary accommodation they might require,
on the security of their estates, inasmuch as every
capitalist would prefer the simple and easily trans-
ferred debenture, as an investment, although
bearing a lower rate of interest.
Mr. SCULLY'S Bill appears to be founded on
these measures, possessing all the numerous and
important advantages which they offer, and being
free from the objection above referred to, inas-
much as it will be applicable to all kinds of pro-
perty " savouring of the realty." There is, un-
fortunately, no chance of its passing this Session;
but we have no doubt that it will be carried, and
not for Ireland only, but for the United King-
don,. Indeed, the addition of a few words would
only be required to render the measure univer-
sally applicable.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.—It is understood
that in consequence of the great pressure of public
business, Parliament will not be prorogued until after
the 20th of August.
THE NEXT COMMAND AT CHOBHAM.—It is stated that
Lieutenant-General Sir Charles J. Napier, G.C.8., is to
take the command of the whole of the regiments about
to assemble during the present month at the camp on
Chobham common.
THE CAMP AT CHOBHAM.—Yesterday the troops
enjoyed a well-merited relaxation from the labours and
fatigues of a field-day.
COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.—At the Court of Bank-
ruptcy yesterday the certificate of Mr. A. A. Lacker-
steen was finally refused, but the bankrupt did not
appear, and it is understood he has left the country.
THE LEVANT MAlL.—Yesterday the Peninsular and
Oriental Steam Navigation Company's ship, City of
London, Captain Cargill, arrived at Southampton with
dates from Constantinople, June 14th ; Smyrna, 16th ;
Malta, 20th ; Gibraltar, 25th inst. The City of London
passed the British and French fleets at anchor in Besika
Bay. The intelligence by this steamer from the East
has been anticipated.
THE GENERAL SCREW STEAM COMPANY.—The Ily-
daspes, belonging to the General Screw Steam Company,
has arrived in the Channel, in 66 days from the Mau-
ritius, under canvas alone. This is considered a very
excellent performance.
THE MELBOURNE.—The Australian steamer Mel-
bourne having arrived at Plymouth, has been retarded
by having to rely on her sails alone for 23 days, owing
to some damage to the screw. She is immediately to
proceed to London.
WEST INDIA LETTERS.—Complaints have been made
that the letters by the Magdalena steamer, which
arrived this morning at Southampton, and the mails by
which were landed in time to be forwarded by the 11
o'clock train, were not delivered yesterday. It is thought
that by a little exertion the Post-office could have sent
them out, and enabled the merchants to answer their
correspondents through the outward West India mail,
which closed in London this morning at 8 a.m.
THE ELECTION OF ALDERMAN FOR THE WARD OF
CASTLE BAYNARD.—Yesterday, at one o'clock, the pre-
cept for the election of an alderman for the ward of
Castle Baynard was received by the ward authorities
"in the room and stead of Samuel Wilson, Esq., who
has been removed to the ward of Bridge Without." The
election will take place on Monday next, at eleven
o'clock in the forenoon. To Mr. Muggeridge's election
there will be no opposition.
VISIT OF THE KING AND QUEEN OF HANOVER TO
WOOLWICH.—His Majeety, accompanied by Lieutenant
General Lord Raglan, G.C.8., Master-General, of the
Ordnance, and attended by Major-General Buckley,
and several members of his suite, arrived at the Royal
Arsenal at twenty minutes past eleven o'clock yester-
day, and the King was received with the usual hon-
ours, the guard presenting arms and the band playing
the National Anthem. His Majesty, who was dressed
in the uniform of the Hanoverian Artillery, alighted
from his carriage in front of the foundry. He went
over the whole of the Arsenal, and expressed himself
gratified with everything that was explained to him.
SOUTH WALES RAILWAY COMPANY.—Yesterday an
extraordinary general meeting of this company was
held at the Paddington Station of the Great Western
Railway, for the purpose of considering the provisions
of the following bills now pending in Parliament :
" A bill for authorising the South Wales Railway Com-
pany to construct new railways to Pontypool and in the
Forest of Dean, and for granting further powers with
reference to their Monmouth branch, and for other pur-
poses. "A bill to enable the South Wales Railway
Company to extend the Pembroke line of their railway
to Pennar Mouth, and to make a deviation in their
said Pembroke line and new branches, and for other
purposes." "A bill for granting further powers in
reference to the leasing and selling the undertaking of
the South Wales Railway Company to the Great Western
Railway Company, and authorising working arrange.
ments between the said companies, and for other
purposes." " A bill for extending the periods for the
purchase of lands and completion of works on the Swan-
sea Valley Railway, for conferring further powers on the
Swansea Valley Railway Company, and also on the
South Wales Railway Company, with reference to that
undertaking, and for other purposes." " A bill for con-
structing and maintaining docks and other works at or
near to Milford Haven, and for other purposes." Reso-
lutions approving of these bills were adopted, and the
meeting separated, with a vote of thanks to the chair-
man.
GOLD. The Enchanter, reported yesterday, from
Port Philip, whence she sailed the 22d of March, brings
22,000 ounces of gold, valued at 88,0001. Two other
vessels from Australia were telegraphed as being in the
Downs, but the quantity of gold they have on board is
not yet ascertained. The remittances of gold to Paris
have diminished during the last few days, but some
small amounts are still sent.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.—The first performance this
season of Meyerbeer's Le Prophete took place last
night before a crowded house. A new singer, Ma-
dame Tedesco, from the Paris Grand Opera, made
her debut in the character of Fides, with eminent
success: Signor Tamberlik appeared for the first
time as Jean of Leyden, the Prophet, and achieve d
one of his greatest triumphs on the boards of
the Royal Italian Opera. The general execution
of the, opera was more than usually good. The
costumes were renovated ; the ballet (in which
Mademoiselle Plunkett assisted) was restored to
its original completeness ; and there was an air of splen-
dour and liberality about the whole which showed a
resolution on the part of the management to deserve
well of its patrons and the public. A more brilliant
representation bas not been for some time witnessed at
this theatre.
ANOTHER CHILD MURDER IN THE CITY. —Yester-
day morning, as City police-constable Thomas Crocker,
No. 259, was going his round, he discovered a parcel in
a dust-bin at the end of Montagu-court, Little Britain,
on turning his light on, he found it contained the body
of a newly-born male infant, which had every appearance
of having been born alive. He immediately conveyed it
to Smithfield station-house, and, by direction of the in-
spector on duty, it was removed to the London Union
Workhouse, Aldersgate-street. It is believed, in conse-
quence of a towel in which the body was wrapped bearing
the marks of a public institution that a clue has been
obtained to the unnatural parent, but as any publicity
given at this stage of the investigation by the police
might tend to delay, if not defeat, the ends of justice,
very great secrecy respecting the occurrence is observed.
Information has been forwarded to Mr. Payne, the
Coroner, and a post-mortem examination of the body is
ordered to be made previous to the inquest. , To such
an extent has the crime of infanticide increased, that no
fewer than fifteen inquests have been held in the metro-
politan districts within the last fortnight, in most of
which cases verdicts of " Wilful Murder " has been re-
turned.

DR. BOWRING.—We are happy to state that our
learned and distinguished townsman has arrived in
Exexter, and is staying with Mrs. Bowring and his family
at Larkbeare, the residence of his venerable and re-
spected father. C. Bowring, Esq. Dr. Bowring looks
remarkably well—exceedingly so, when we consider the
great vicissitudes of clime and labour to which he has
been Aubjected.--Eater Paper.