The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-22 00:00:00

LYCEUM THEATRE.

Under the Management of Madame Vestris.
THIS EVENING, Maaca 22,
m.„Wi1,,,! be,, D rformed A NICE FIRM. Principal cPAracters by
--"' ~e Nleathews, F. Matthews, and Roxby ; Mrs. F. Matthews.
To be followed by A CHARMING WIDOW.
After which, th
UPON A. TIME ~,..._perl:ar Fairy
TExtravaganza, entitled ONCE
WO KINGS. characters by
Messrs. RoXV, r."E t
~ li,ttttl:,WWs Lanßdßland ; Madame Vestris, Misses
St. George, ,41autori.
It
aso,n,
Martindale,
Foote. Ellis, Wadham, and
conclnding with NUMBER ONE ROUND THE CORNER.

--------____...,—....--.—..—.......
.1-biz—AUK It°TAL ADELPHI.
Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster,—Directress, 2/adame Celeste.
THIS EVENTI.TG, mum, ,
TWO LOVES ANT '
A LIFE. Supported by
Will be performed
Leigh Murray, menj - D
Webster, Keetey, and 0.
Messrs. C. Selby' i 7. and Madanae Carl'
swat;m:ss wc,o„ga. e este.
. THE SERIOTJ3 FANELLy.
To conclude wi....
h Murray, r Characters by
Messrs. B. Webster, Leg
Murray, Misses WoOlgar, Fanny ''''' . and Laidlaw, and Mrs.
Keeley. -
---

ROYAL OLYMPIC TIIRA.TItz.
Lessen and Manager, fir. A. Trion.

THIS EVENING, Mutat 22,

Will he performed THE WRONG BOX. SRPPorted by Messrs,
Alfrel Wigan and Robinson ; Miss P. Horton, Miss wyncihazi,
Miss E. Turner.
To be followed by TO OBLIGE BENSON. Supported by m",,,
Emery, Robson, and Leslie ;--Mrs: Stirling and Misk: Wyndham.
To be followed by THE FIRS r NIGHT. Charainters by Messrs.
Alfred Wigan, Leslie, Franks, Harwood Cooper, an,d Vincent; :hiss
P. Horton, and Miss Wyndham.

STRAND THEATRE.
Sole Lessee, Mr. F. W. Allcroft.—Directres3, :Kiss Rebecca Isaacs

THIS EVENING, Meacit :12,
Win be presented RUSSIAN TYRANNY; os'.
storm. The Fatal SIIOW.

roilawed by PADDY SHOOTING THE MOM.
After whicb, THE BLUE JACKETS.
To conclude with THE CORKOSIAIsi BROTB:ERS. Paddy and
tin Mulligan (the Brothers), Mr. G. Hodson. Stalls, 55.; Boxes, 35.; Pit, is. 6d; Gallery, 6d.. ; Private BC Itol/,
U.llx, 64,s 19 be hag of Mr. 4.llcroft, 0, .Yew Doi td-streot.

e, 4 tx.PO 4
0-1
(Zifrb g, ,?-71k:i71

the sneers of the Emperor NICHOLAS. Thus
circumstanced in regard to Germany, Eng-
land and France, looking only to themselves
and their alliance, relying upon the justice of
their cause and confiding in the aid of GOD, are
entering with their whole energy, and with an
enthusiasm impossible to witness without emotion,
upon the perils of the great battle in which they
are recognised as the arch-champions of the civi-
lisation of Christendom.

Well, the resolution with respect to the Income
Tax has, after all, been carried, sub silentio. The
anticipated discussion has ended in smoke ; not a
single member was forthcoming to demand even
an expression of opinion in favour of a more
equitable apportionment of the charge, or to pro-
test against any increase of the burden until some
attempt had been made to render it more tolerable
to the community. It is perfectly clear, there-
fore, that public opinion is not represented in the
House of Commons. Were it so, many indignant pro-
tests would be offered against the iniquitous impost.
The golden opportunity for obtaining some kind
of modification would not be treated with such
contemptuous indifference and careless apathy.
One notice of amendment only was given.
One gentleman only appeared honesty desirous of
bringing his views before the House and the coun-
try, and he was absent through inadvertence at the
time first appointed: Sir HENRY WILLOUGHBY'S
amendment did not, however, strike at the root
of the evil. It did not even in any degree assail
the obnoxious principle of the equal taxation of
all descriptions of income, or the oppressive and
inquisitorial mode of collection. All it aimed
at was, that the additional threepence-halfpenny
in the pound should be collected by two
half-yearly payments, in place of the whole
being levied for the half-year commencing
on the sth of April next. This proposition
was moved on bringing-up -the report. We con-
fess that we did not feel greatly interested in the
result, which, as might have been anticipated,
ended in the rejection of the proposition. It
clearly would not suit Mr. GLADSTONE'S purposes,
who may want to continue the additional pay-
ments, in case the Emperor of RUSSIA should not
be brought to reason quite so speedily as may be
anticipated ; and in the strange subservience
that appears to be exhibited by men of all parties
to the fiscal Autocrat, it seems tolerably certain
that his commands will receive ready obedience.

We confess that we cannot fathom the motives
of those who were once reputed to be independent
members, but who now appear to be the most
servile followers of the Minister. It has, we
know, been asserted, that any suggestion or pro-
position for providing the sinews of war should,
under present circumstances, be accepted, not
only without resistance, but without remon-
strance—that the representatives of the people
should be willing not only to vote all the
supplies requisite for the vigorous and ener-
getic waging of war, but that they should do so
in the very mode suggested by the head of the
financial department. We must, however, pro-
test against this slavish doctrine, which would
' reduce the body, once so potent, to little better
than the condition of a parcel of ilfarionettes, whose
only duty was to receive and submissively register
the decrees of the Minister of the day. The most
strenuous Ministerialist- cannot be more ready
than ourselves to encounter any burden, or any
danger in the cause_ of honour, justice, and hu-
manity, that we may be enabled to protect the
comparatively feeble when unjustly and wantonly
attacked, and to resist the unwarranted aggres-
sions of the powerful oppressor. But that does not
compel our assent to a grievous act of injustice to
thousands and tens of thousands of our country-
men, or induce us to close our eyes to their
wrongs and their sufferings.
If the war could not otherwise be carried on,
we might be induced to surrender our decided
convictions for a time, and even endeavour to
persuade our fellow-sufferers to bear the inevitable
evil, if not patiently, at- least silently. But
there is no such necessity. The money could be
just as easily collected under an equitable as an
inequitable system. Indeed, the less obnoxious
to the charge of injustice, the more freely and
willingly would the demand be responded to. It
is before the crotchet of Mr. GLADSTONE that the
popular representatives are bowing down—a
crotchet not shared in by even two of his cofleagues,
or a tithe of their supporters in the Commons
House of Parliament—a crotchet which is pro-
ductive of the most demoralising influences on the
public mind. Convince the people of the injus-
tice of any charge, and a very considerable
proportion will endeavour to evade it by
any means wh•itsoever. It is true, that
many will respect the law, however objection-
able, but such submission will not be general, and
great numbers will resist an- unfair demand by
unfair means.

Now, if there were no other reason to be urged
in favour of a modification of the tax, the argument
on behalf of public morality would be irresistible.
We should remove the temptation to fraud and
deception. We have it, on the very highest autho-
rity, that a fair assessment may be made under
every other schedule save D only. An unexcep-
tionable witness, Mr. PRESSLY, in his evidence
before the Select Committee, said--" At present
everything being charged at its first source, we
are quite sure of the tax upon every penny ; we
got every penny upon the dividend, and every
penny upon a man's salary ; all that we do not
know is the profits of a man's trade, but in all the
other schedules it is collected to a penny without
any disclosure whatever." The profits of trade
cannot, however, be ascertained with any pretence
to accuracy. When the Commissioners surcharge
a trader, it is a mere guess, and it not unfrequently
happens that when they make the attempt, they
inflict gross injury on the party, who may, while
acting in the most bona fide and straightforward
manner, be charged double or quadruple his fair
proportion. Those who make up their minds to
defraud the revenue succeed but too often in
doing so. Mr. TILL declares that " the decision
must be taken, generally speaking, according to
the conscience or the will of the party who comes
to appeal, or makes the return." While Mr.
TIADI adds his testimOny that it "is almost lul-
-1 possible to get evidence to prOsecute a man for a
false return under Schedule the amount of his
profits being only known to himself." Need we
wonder then, that, to use the words of Mr.
PRESSLY, " there is great evasion on the subject,"
or can we impugn the opinion of that experienced
officer, that " the longer the tax exists, the eva-
sions will go on increasing under Schedule D?"
Surely, then, a regard for public morality should
induce our rulers to do something to remedy this
serious If the people show themselves reso,
lute, the attempt will be made ; but while they
remain apathetic and indifferent, nothing will be
done. There can be no doubt as to the state of
public opinion, but it should be proclaimed in
distinct and unequivocal terms, so as to leave no
possibility of mistake. It is for the people them-
selves to do so, and for fiscal reformers to take
the lead in exciting the necessary agitation on the
subject. There is yet time to achieve a triumph.
The resolution of Monday, and the bringing up cf
the report last night only authorised the
introduction of a bill. There will be sundry
stages at which the unfair principle may be as-
sailed, and, if the chances be thrown away, the
people will fully merit the perpetuation of the
grievance.

VISIT OF THE QUEEN TO THE OLYMPIC THEATRE.—
Her Majesty and Prince Albert and suite last night
visited the Olympia Theatre. The house was crowded
in every part.
The Court will return to Windsor for the Easter holi-
days, on Saturday, the 15th proximo.
Lord and Lady Lyndhurst and the Hon. Miss Copley
have left George-street, Hanover-square, for Turvill-
park, Henley-on-Thames, until the week after next,
when they return to town for the season.

Mr. Peto and Mr. B. Waddington paired on the
Ministers Money (Ireland) ; Mr. Peto for, Mr. Wad-
dington against, the amendment.

PALL IA THE PRICE OF BREAD.—Y esterday a general
fall in the price of bread took place throughout the me-
tropolis, of one halfpenny in the 41b. loaf. The best
bread at the West-end is now 100., and 1 ld. the 41b.
leaf; second quality, 91. ; and third quality,
81d. and Bd. In the eastern and southern metropolitan
districts the same quality of bread is sold at all times
one halfpenny lead for the 41k. lea than in the central
and western districts. 1