The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-11 00:00:00

vast difference which this statement shows in the
position and prospects of the country.
Looking to the particular items, we find in the
Customs a decrease on the year of 839,2551., on
the half-year of 509,4071., and on the quarter of
150,1071. In looking to these serious deficiencies,
we must bear in mind that there has been a con-
siderable reduction in the duties on tea, which,
during the last quarter, accounts for nearly
200,0001. of the falling, which is, however,
nearly balanced by the improvement on sugar,
the difference being some 6,000/. only. Again, we
lose about 55,0001. on wine, of which we get
back about 50,0001. on foreign spirits. A small
portion of this may be attributed to the addi-
tional duties on " rum" in Scotland and Ireland,
and the remainder to the consumption of brandy
in consequence of the cholera. There is also
(thanks to the productive harvest with which
PROVIDENCE has blessed our labours) a reduction
on the almost nominal corn duties of 95,0001. on
the quarter.

In the Excise there is an improvement on the
year of 128,1631., on the half-year of 263,3421.,
and on the quarter of 354,912/. Here we must
Make allowance, on the one side, for the total
abolition of the duty on soap, which yielded, in
round terms, 1,200,0001. per annum; while, on
the other hand, there has been a large addition to
the duties on malt and Irish and Scotch spirits.
On the whole, the result is by no means unsatis-
factory in the "great indicator" of the poor
man's comfort.

In Stamps we have a decrease on the year of
68,1481., but an. increase on the half-year of
41,7481., and on the quarter of 12,0961. It
should be remembered that, under this head, the
duties on advertisements and some newspaper
supplements have been abolished, while that on
attorneys' certificates has been reduced. On the
other hand, there are the new legacy duties on real
and settled estates, and the penny receipt stamp,
which has verified the most sanguine anticipa-
tions of its projectors and advocates. In the
Taxes there is a decrease on the year of 16,5441.,
on the half-year of 87,0951., and on the quarter
of 12,5391. The Property Tax, however, makes
ample amends. The improvement on the year is
1,351,2411., on the half-year 854,7901., and on
the quarter 569,6861. This is very satisfactory ;
for, although the tax has been extended to in-
comes not exceeding 1001. per annum, and also
to Ireland, and though it has also been doubled,
we believe that there is still a handsome margin
applicable to improved assessments. A morning
contemporary professes to have receiv-d an in-
sight into the exact mode by which these results
have been achieved. It says—" We have been
favoured with an explanation of these figures,
giving the following results :—The extension
of the duty to Ireland has produced about
126,000/. in the quarter, 496,0001. in the
year, and 370,0001. in the half-year; the double
duty as yet only paid on dividends and public
salaries has produced 267,0001. The rest of the
increase on the Property Tax is referred to im-
proved assessments." This statement will, ofl
course, be taken quantum valeat, but, if correct,
(and we see no reason to doubt it) it must be re-
garded as very gratifying.
The Post-office—thanks to the indefatigable
and efficient services of ROWLAND HlLL—shows
an increase of 299,0001. on the year, 236,0001.
on the half-year, and 108,0001. on the quarter.
In the Crown Lands there is a decrease of
131,3161. on the year, 124,3161. on the half-
year, but an increase of 11,5721. on the quarter.
In Miscellaneous there is a falling off of 36,1431.
on the year, of 20,8051. on the half-year, and of
20,7411. on the quarter.

So much for the ordinary revenue. It is only
necessary to add that in the Tmprest and other
Moneys there is an improvement on the year of
25,4231., followed bya falling off on the half-year of
166,5081., and on the quarter of 15,5431. While
public debtors have exhibited far less punctuality
than on former occasions, as testified by the falling
off in the Repayments of Advances of 695,9401.
for the year, 409,9521. for the half-year, and
307,1481. for the quarter.

On the whole, the substantial facts indicated
must satisfy any reasonable anticipations in which
we may have indulged, while we must express
our full approbation, our unalloyed gratification,
at the improvement of form that will prevent the
" hocus pocus " and mystification heretofore re-
sorted to in the public offices.

We now know with tolerable accuracy the pro-
ceedings of the English army from the 23d
September, to which day they were narrated in the
already published despatch of Lord RAGLAN, up
to the 28th. Two despatches of that date have
been received from the Noble Lord, who was then
established at Balaklava, having taken possession
of that important post on the 26th September,
and not on the 28th, as had previously been
supposed from the meagre account transmitted by
Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE. One of these,
which will be found in another part of this day's
impression, merely relates to the officers, who, in
common with the entire array, distinguished them-
selves on th e glorious 20th Sept. The other, however,
points out the steps taken, together with the rea-
sons by which the Noble Lord was actuated in
changing the basis of his operations, and selecting
Balaklava as the point where the heavy artillery
was to be landed, and whence the regular attack
on Sebastopol was to be made.

It appears, on this unquestionable testimony,
that the " Allied Armies quitted their position
above the Alma on the morning of the 23d, and
moved across the Katcha, where they halted, and
on the following day crossed the Belbeck." The
defeat of the Russians on the 20th had been so
decisive that no attempt was made to defend
either of these very strong positions. Un-
der other circumstances the opportunities thereby
afforded for delaying the progress and harassing
the advancing troops would scarcely have been
neglected. But the panic excited by the vigour,
energy, and determination of the Western War-
riors had not subsided. The enemy, after being
driven with so much slaughter from the strong
and apparently impregnable post which they had
occupied, could not be induced to make head under
less favourable circumstances against their victors.
The two rivers were thus crossed in turn without
even the semblance of opposition being offered.
Up to that time it had been decided by the
Generals that the Belbeck should be the basis of
operations from whence the attack on Sebastopol
was to be conducted. But on their arrival at the
spot, it appeared that the enemy had established
a work which commanded the entrance of the
river, and debarred its use for the disembarka-
tion of troops, provisions, and materiel ; and it
became expedient to consider whether
shouldwhetherthneotline
of be
abandoned,
theanother north
On this
course of operation
adopted.
ao nnd
discovery, it was manifest
that there should be a great alteration
laicxpinns
the
original plan. Lord RAGLAN thus
change :----"It having, after due deliberation, been
determined by Marshal St. Arnaud and myself
that we should relinquish our communication
with the Katcha, and the hope of establishing it
by the Belbeck, and endeavour by a flank march
to the left to go round Sebastopol and seize
Balaklava, the movement was commenced on the
25th, and completed on the following day by the
capture of this place by her MAJESTY'S troops,
which led the advance."

There were, however, many serious impediments
to be surmounted. There was no regular road—
that which was available was required for the
cavalry and artillery, while the infantry were

compelled to make their way through the tangled
brushwood—a jungle, in fact, as bad as any
to be found under a tropical sky. On leav-
ing the high road from the Belbeck to Sebas-
topol, the army had to traverse a dense wood,
in which there was but one road that led in
the direction it was necessary to take. That
road was left, in the first instance, to the cavalry
and artillery ; and the divisions were ordered to
march by compass, and make a way for themselves
as well as they could ; and, indeed, the artillery
of the Light Division pursued the same course as
long as it was found to be possible ; but, as the
wood became more impracticable, the batteries
could not proceed otherwise than by getting into
the road above-mentioned.

Having cleared the forest with immense labour,
and near a place called, on Major JERVIS'S
Map, " Mackenzie's Farm," the troops suddenly
found themselves on the flank and rear of a Rus-
sian division proceeding towards Bakshi-Serai. No
time was lost in attacking the enemy, the moment
the cavalry could get out of the wood in which
they had been entangled. This collision it was
that probably gave foundation to the rumours of
fighting between the 25th and 27th September.
But it could scarcely be termed " fighting " where
there was nothing but a rapid and ignominious
flight on the one side, and earnest but short pur-
suit on the other. The Russians, however, made
the best use of their legs—they ran with a degree
of agility that would have given them
strong claims to pedestrian honours ; but
not so speedily as to prevent " a vast
quantity of ammunition and much valua-
ble baggage" from falling into the hands of
the English. The pursuit was discontinued after
a mile and a half, as Lord RAGLAN was particu-
larly anxious to reach Tschernaya that evening.
The fugitives left a few men on the field, and
some prisoners were also taken, among whom was
a Captain of Artillery. After a long and toilsome
march, the army succeeded in reaching the
Tschernaya River, where they rested for the
evening. During the entire time they were almost
without water, save "at MACKENZIE'S Farm,"
where " two wells, yielding a scanty supply, were
found ;" there was none discoverable on the entire
route. We are told, however, that they sustained
their fatigues and privations with the utmost
cheerfulness.

This movement took the enemy completely by
surprise. On the following day the troops got on
to Balaklava, which, after a slight show of oppo-
sition, was surrendered, and almost at the same
moment the approach of Sir EDMUND LYONS, in
the Agamemnon, assured the Army of the co-ope-
ration of the Fleet. This fortunate result was
obtained through the daring and activity of Lieu-
tenant MAXSE, R.N., who passed alone, at night,
through the forest to convey to the
gallant Admiral an intimation of the im-
portance which Lord RAGLAN attached to his
presence. The march of the French army, al-
though no less fatiguing than that of the British,
was accomplished with equal success.
So much for the authentic intelligence. It has
since been announced, through the Vienna tele-
graph, under date of October 10th, that one
hundred and twenty-five pieces of siege artillery
have been landed at Balaklava, and conveyed to
the heights commanding Sebastopol from the
south, and that the bombardment commenced on
the 4th, at five o'clock.
This may be true. It is what might be anti-
cipated, but still we cannot yield implicit reliance
to any uncorroborated statement coming from such
a source. We may, however, be well contented
with what we know on undoubted authority.

GENERAL PERRONET THOMPSON'S SON.

The Captain Thompson mentioned with praise
in Lord Raglan's despatch from the Crimea is a
son of General Perronet Thompson, the veteran
Anti-Corn-Law agitator. Captain Thompson, with
a zeal worthy of his parentage, volunteered from a
safe (but inglorious) military position at home for
active service against the Russians.
The following is an extract of a letter from
the above officer, dated Balaklava, 28th Sept.

" Two days after the passage of the Alma we ad-
vanced upon Sebastopol. The Russians did not make
the slightest attempt to oppose, although the strong
positions of the Katcha and Belbeck rivers gave them
every chance. On arriving within a few miles of the
north of Sebastopol, our commanders changed their
minds and determined to attack the south. By a long
and dangerous march through such woods as I should
think no army ever traversed before, we in two. days
arrived at Balaklava, a small seaport, which of course
surrendered at the first shot (seeing that they had only
a dilapidated old fort at the top of a hill, like a scene in
a play, and some fifty " douaniers" to guard it), which
is intended to be made our base of operations against
Sebastopol, and where our siege artillery is in process
of disembarkation."

COURT CIRCULAR.

Sir James Graham has left Balmoral for London.

The Lord Chancellor arrived in town yesterday and
visited the Duke of Newcastle.

A deputation from the Southampton Paving Trust had
an interview yesterday with the President of the General
Beard of Health, at his office, Whitehall. The deputa-

tion consisted of Messrs. Carter, Balls, Barmidge, King-
ston, and Simpson. They were attended by Mr. James
Arnold, the Secretary, and Mr. F. Teague, the Surveyor
to the Trust.

Despatches from the Governors of Canada and the
other North American Provinces were received yesterday
at the C©lonial•office.

RETURN OF THE COURT FROM BALMORAL.-Accord•

ing to present arrangements, her Majesty, the Prince
Consort, and the Royal family will leave Balmoral on
Thursday (to-morrow), and arrive at Holyrood-house,
Edinburgh, on the same day. The Royal party will
leave Edinburgh early on Friday morning and proceed
by railway to Hull, which town her Majesty is an-
nounced to visit. The Royal travellers will be con-
veyed by sea in her Majesty's yacht from Hull, and will
arrive at their destination on Friday evening. The Great
Northern Railway Company's suite of State carriages
have been forwarded to Edinburgh for the use of her
Majesty on this occasion.
The Earl and Countess Granville, who have just re-
turned from Germany, entertained the Duke of New-
castle and a select party at dinner on Monday evening
in Bruton-street. The noble earl, we understand, with
Lord Cranworth, Lord Chancellor, will be one of the
lords commissioners for proroguing Parliament next
week, without despatch of business, until some day in
December.

Lord and Lady Foley left Grosvenor's-square yester-
day for the Duke of Norfolk's seat, Arundel Castle,
where their graces have arrived from Glossop Hall,
Derbyshire.

The Ladies Charlotte Augusta and Harriet Pelham
Clinton have arrived in town from a continental tour.
His Excellency the Prussian Minister and the Countess
Von Bernstoff have arrived at the Legation on Carlton-
terrace from Brighton, where they have been passing
some weeks.

The Government has ordered a copy of every Govern-
ment Gazette, containing news of the war, to be sent to
every sub-postmaster in the kingdom, in order that the
contents might be made public.
Lord Dudley Stuart has gone on a tour to Denmark,
Sweden, and Norway.
Lady Raglan arrived at Dover from Calais by the
South-Eastern Company's steamer Queen of the French,
yesterday afternoon, at 5 o'clock.
Lieut.-General Sir Harry Smith (and Lieut.-Colonel
Holditch, his A.D.C.), who succeeds Earl Cathcart in
the command of the northern and midland district,
arrived at the Queen's Hotel, Manchester, a few days
ago, and is preparing to take up his permanent residence
in the neighbourhood of Manchester.
The Dowager Countess of Erroll and Lady Alice
Hay have proceeded on a visit to Mr. Weaves, at
Wemyss Castle, Fifeshire.
Sir John and Lady Muir Mackenzie have arrived at
Delvine, from the Continent.

The Earl of Aberdeen arrived on Saturday evening
at Haddo House, from Balmoral. At Old Meidrum
the inhabitants turned out to welcome the noble Pre-
mier.

DEATH OF LADY HARRIET DRIIIEMOND.—Lady
Harriet Drummond died on the 7th instant at Albury
Park, county of Surrey, the residence of her husband,
Mr. Drummond, M. P. for West Surrey. The fatal
i disease was effusion of the brain. The deceased was a
member of the noble house of Rutland.
VISCOUNT CHEWTON.—We have very much pleasure
in contradicting, on the best authority, the reported
death of Viscount Chewton, the Scots Fusilier Guards.
He had arrived at Scutari on the 30th ult., and his
wounds were progressing very favourably.
INCORRECT REPORT OF THE DEATH OF COL. CROMBIE.
—The report which appeared in a morning journal last
week, and which was also inserted in a Sunday paper,
aniwuncing the death of Colonel Crombie, of the Cold-
stream Guards, at Scutari, of cholera, is not correct.
He has arrived in the Palmyra transport, at Plymouth,
with the other officers invalided.
' Captain Baring, of the Coldstream Guards, whose case
was represented as almost hopeless, is in a fair way of
recovery, although his arm was amputated at the socket.
Lieut.-Colonel Haygarth, too, who went to Malta iu
the Fury, is likely to recover from his wounds.
H. Field, Esq., and Mrs. Field, have left the Cla-
rendon Hotel for Paris.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—OCT. 10 (ONE SHILLING DAY.)
—Admission at the doors, 4,917; admission by season
ickets, 493; total, 5,410.