The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-08 00:00:00

THIS EVENING

Will be performed Shakspere's Comedy of TWELFTH NIGHT.
Prim ipal characters by Messrs. W. Lacy, Addison, Meadows, J.
Vining, Ryder, Everett, and Cathcart ; Misses Murray and Mar-
shall, and 'Jrs. C. Kean.

To conclude with the new and original Grand Comic Christ-
mas Pantomime, entitled HARLEQUIN CHERRY AND FAIR
STAR; or, The Green Bird, the Dancing Waters, and the
Singing Tree. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Huline (12th
appearance here); Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; Columbine, Miss Car-
lotta Leclersq.

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. Farren.

THIS EVENING will be presented Buckstone's Drama of
ISAB ELLE ; or, Woman's Life. Supported by 31essrs. Farren,
jun., Hoskins, Compton, and Shalders; Miss H. Gordon and Mrs. A.
Phillips.

Mier which, the glorious new Comic Pantomime, entitled
ROMEO .IND JULIET; or, Harlequin Queen Mab and the
World of Dreams. Harlequin, Mr. Forest; Columbine, Miss Marie
Charles ; Sprite, Mr. G. Thompson ; Pantaloon, Mr. Tanner ;
Clown, Mr. Edwin Edwardes, who will introduce his wonder-
hilly-trained dogs, Amy, Tasso, and the monster dog, Snarleyou.
Box-office open from Eleven till Four, under the superintendence
of Mr. Edward Chatterton.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Proprietor and Manager, Mr. W. Batty.
Open every Evening with the immensely successful Drama of
'UNCLE TOM'S CABIN, followed by Novel anal Extraordinary
Scenes in the Circle.
To conclude with the Grand Comic Pantomime of FORTUNIO
AND lIIS HORSE COMRADE; or, Harlequin and the Seven
Gifted Men.
On THURSDAY, January 13, a Grand JUVENILE NIGHT, on
which occasion there will be an Entire Change in the Amusements;
commencing with the inimitable Comic Pantomime.
After which, a Novel Arrangement of the Scenes in the Arena,
supported by the Juvenile Artistes, entitled THE INFANT EQUES-
TRIAN MARIONETTES.
Concluding with UNCLE TOM.
Deors open at Half-past Six o'clock. To commence at Seven.
Rox-office open daily from Eleven to Four. Stage Manager, Mr.
W. West.

THE WEATHER.—SITh Orpics, JA.N. 8.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
49—highest since noon yesterday.
35—lowest this morning and during the night.
43—this day, at noon.

BAROMETER, 29'51—rising.
WIND, S.S.W.—fine, snnshimy weather.

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,

LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1853.

It only requires an energetic and combined
exertion on the part of the industrious classes, to
ensure a just and equitable modification of the
Income and Property Tax. The gross and pal-
pable injustice of the present system is at length
beginning to be perceptible in high quarters. Mr.
DISRAELI's recognition of the distinction between
permanent and precarious income had an almost
magical effect. Every former CHANCELLOR of the
EXCHEQUER had evaded the consideration of the
question. The stereotyped answer to every ob-
jection was, that "injustice was inherent in an
Income Tax." Because, forsooth, it was supposed
that the matter could not be brought into such a
state of mathematical precision, that every person
would be compelled to contribute neither more
nor less than his exact proportion to the national
exigencies ; no attempt was to be made to
remedy the flagrant grievance under which
thousands and tens of thousands had been
suffering. In truth, the successive financiers
who dealt with the question all belonged to
the " propertied" classes—to the landocracy or
moneyocracy. Mr. PITT, brother to the Earl of
CHATHAM—the Marquis of LANSDOWNEr—Mr.
SPENCER PERCEVAL, brother to the Earl of
EG'IONT and Lord ARDEN, both leading members
of the territorial aristocracy—Mr. VANSITTART,
afterwards Lord BEXLEY----Mr. ROBINSON, now
Earl of RIPON—Sir ROBERT PEEL, Mr. GOT:MEI:MN,
Sir FRANCIS BARING, and Sir CHARLES WOOD,
all belonged to the privileged few, and had a
direct personal interest in preventing due discrimi-
nation from being exercised. We do not wish to
be understood as imputing improper motives to
these statesmen. Far from it : all that we mean
to assert is, that they viewed the subject through
parti-coloured glasses, and that their decision was
in some degree influenced by the not unnatural
desire of sticking by their order.
Another circumstance also must be taken into
account. An equitable, or even comparatively
equitable arrangement, would occasion much la-
bour and responsibility to the head of the finan-
cial department for the time being. It would ne-
cessarily produce considerable discussion, which it
would. of course be desirable to avoid ; and so
long as the exi •
gency was pressing, and the impost
was supposed to be of a temporary character, the
excuses for procrastination were readily accepted,
and the mafter suffered to remain on its original
footing. It :assumed, however, a totally different
ed aspect when it was regard
as a permanent source
of revenue which should d
gra uallY be extended,
and substituted for the indirect imposts which
pressed with,
destructive force, and almost
para-
lysed the spi rings of industry. When the iman
ens
of the count ry were deranged, and every one
felt

the imperative necessity of maintaining the national
credit, the evil was submitted to, not with a very
good grace, but still submitted to, as the least
objectionable portion of the alternative. It was
only when Sir CHARLES WOOD endeavoured to in-
crease the tax from 7d. to Is. in the pound, or
from 2/. 18s. 4d. to 5/. per cent., that expression
was given to the popular feeling on the subject.
Then, indeed, the iniquities of the system were
expatiated on, until that singularly unfortunate
and blundering financier shrunk from the storm
he had evoked, and was contented to accept a re-
newal at the existing rate.
We pointed out at the time, and. have since re-
peatedly urged, that the objections so strongly
and generally urged'were not to the contemplated
increase but to the great inequality and unfairness
of the tax. Sir CHARLES WOOD, however, re-
mained obstinate, and it was to that strange per-
versity, that the weakness and subsequent fall of
the RussELL-Ministry might chiefly be ascribed ;
For Mr. DISRAELI was reserved the honour of
at length recognising the distinction. He did
not go far enough in the details ; but still, he
broke the ground, and is, therefore, entitled to
the credit of the change.

That simple act of equity was partly the cause
of the destruction of the DERBY Government.
As the Peelites were driven from office on account
of the wise and salutary measure for the
repeal of the Corn Laws, so the quondam
Protectionists lost their places, for the
soundest and best of their propositions—we say
"lost their places," for that was the portion of
the financial scheme to which GLADSTONE and
GOULBURN and the majority of the PERT, party
offered the strongest objection, and to which their
opposition, which turned the scale in the contest,
was mainly attributable.. Though it injured the
party, however, it will be highly beneficial to the
community. The proposition of DISRAELI opened
the eyes of RussELL, and enabled him to see that
a " greater approximation to justice" was possible,
and it is for the people to say whether that " ap-
proximation" shall be bona fide or merely colour-
able. This is the golden opportunity, and we
trust that it may not be wasted or misapplied.

" The lightest work of fiction, if written with
a pure aim, tends to universal exaltation ; and
this admitted, who shall affect to speak slightingly
of that genial mind and the mingled wit and
wisdom exhibited in those writings, which have
secured for their author a fame not confined to
this kingdom, nor yet circumscribed by the lan-
guage of its people 1" So spoke the good men of
Birmingham, when, on Thursday last, in the
name of his many admirers, they presented a
testimonial to CHARLES DicKmvs—a testimonial
which must have been peculiarly and inexpressibly
gratifying to the recipient, because it was given
not so much as a homage to his genius, but
as a recognition of the noble purpose to
which that genius has been devoted. " You
have striven," says the address of the men
of Birmingham, " to instruct the Aocial mind of the
country, to establish a kindly sympathy between
all classes, to reconcile men. to the discipline of
calamity and the harsh treatment of fortune, and
to maintain in its integrity that great law of GOD
which teaches us to feel that all mankind are
brothers." Yes, this indeed has been the purpose
to which the author of " the Christmas Carol "
has devoted the energies of his intellect and the
sympathies of his heart, and it must be in truth
a proud moment in his career when he feels that the
noblest characteristic of his labours is thus ad-
mitted and appreciated by his fellow-men. In
another column will be found the particulars of
the very interesting assembly held at Birmingham,
and the discourses of the various speakers, men, for
the most part, celebrated in literature and art, will
be read with pleasure by the majority ; for a nation
of shopkeepers though we are called, there is no
want of love of literature, and admiration of lite-
rary men among the great body of the people of
this country. It is to the People, as Mr. DICKENS
happily reminded his audience on Thursday, that
literature now looks for patronage. The days of
" the purchased dedication," and the " dependent
state of sufferance at my Lord Duke's table
to-day, and the sponging house to-morrow,"
are over ; and, addressing itself to "the
great, compact phalanx of the people," literature
has there found "at once its highest purpose, its
natural range of action, and its best reward ;"
and, added Mr. DICKENS, "my creed in the exer-
cise of that profession is, that literature cannot be
too faithful to the people in return." We com-
mend our readers to turn to the speech in which
these remarks occur, for they are worthy of atten-
tion, coming from such a source—from one who,
himself a man of the people, has fulfilled in his
own career the advice which he lays down, and
has found in popular appreciation his high re-
ward. Literary men have hitherto been re-
proached with the faults of mutual jealousy and
with a shame of their profession—faults with
which " the order" can no longer be stigmatised
assuredly, when we contrast with these assertions
the conduct of two of the chief authors of the
present day—Sir BITLWER LYTTON and CHARLES
DICKENS. The former has in one of his recent
works spoken of himself as " proud of his order,"
and in the promotion of the Guild of Literature
and Art, alluded to by Lord L irrbEToN at the
meeting on Thursday, he has en titled himself to
the gratitude of his brother authors. It is a
source of gratification to the true admirers of
genius to see the privileged few, to whom the
" ten talents" have been confided, duly mindful
of the solemn responsibility which accompanies that
trust. We rejoice to see them, like the examples
above cited, emulous to exalt the dignity of their
calling, by honouring the order, even in its hum-
blest members ; and we rejoice to hear them, like
CHARLES DICKENS at Birmingham, recognising the
duty of literary men to devote their energies to
the People, and to advocate it cannot be too
ardently " the cause of their advancement, hap-
piness, and prosperity."

It is utterly impossible to account for some of

he eccentricities occasionally exhibited in that

which, by a pleasing fiction, is termed the " Ad-
ministration of Justice." Sometimes we find per-
sons sentenced for comparatively trifling offences
to very stringent punishments; while, at others,
miscreants who have committed atrocities that
would warrant their summary expulsion from
society, and almost justify " Lynch Law," are
suffered to escape with comparative impunity.
If a pauper, goaded on by the most grievous
provocation, turns on his oppressor and is guilty
of an act of insubordination, that is a high crime
and misdemeanour that must be expiated by a
protracted imprisonment, coupled with hard la-
bour and solitary confinement. If a pauper
nurse coolly and deliberately place a " RED-HOT
COAL" in the hand of an unfortunate infant, and,
with a refinement of cruelty, close the hand of
the miserable victim on the ignited mass until the
flesh and sinews are shrivelled up, the use of the
hand permanently lost, and the wretched sufferer
maimed for life, that is an injudicious excess of
authority amply atoned for by 10 days imprison-
ment in Newgate ! which would not prove in any de-
gree more irksome than a residence for the same
time in the union workhouse. If a mariner resist
the most ridiculous andpurely vexatious conduct of
a tyrannical master—although his life would be en-

dangered by submission—he is a mutineer who
must be subjected to the pains and penalties of
the law in its most stringent form—while,
on the other hand, if a drunken Captain
abuse and maltreat his crew, and finally smash the
arm of an unoffensive foreigner, seven days' im-
prisonment nominally, but really about 36 hours,
is a suitable penalty according to the judgment of
Mr. Common Sergeant BULLOCK (! 1).
The vagaries of the Police Magistrates are no
less extraordinary. At one time persons are sub-
jected to all the expense and annoyance of a public
trial, where there is not the possibility of a conviction;
at another, the most horrible and fiend-like
outrages are passed over, as if Justice were as
blind as Fortune is represented, and that it was
for the benefit of society to connive at such abomi-
nations. The revolting and shocking atrocity re-
cently perpetrated at the Horse Guards created
a deep sensation throughout the country. A
helpless female infant--only four years of age—was
stabbed from under an area railing under cir-

cumstances of unparalleled brutality, so that
her life was • seriously endangered, and she
will probably never recover from the effects of the
injury. It was certain that the blow was inflicted
from a particular place. Three persons only were
in that place—the office-keeper, his wife and daugh-
ter. It must have been committed by one of
these ,parties but ; as they all choose to deny it,
the Magistrate before whom the matter
is brought, coolly declares that it is
quite impossible to form any judicial opinion
as to the true origin of the wicked and
cruel outrage ; that it was fortunate for all parties
that the child's life was likely to be spared, and that,
OF COURSE, no fwrther proceedings could betaken. We
really cannot understand this mockery •of justice,
this practical immunity to a crime of the deepest
dye. Whether the child recover or die, outraged
Justice dem'ands reparation—the majesty of the
law must be vindicated !

ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.—At the evening
meeting on January 10, at half-past eight, at the Royal
Institution, Albemarle-street, the following papers are
to be read :-Ist, On the feasibility of forming a canal
between the Gulf of Akobi and the Dead Sea, by Capt.
W. Allen, R.N. ; 2nd, Outlines of a Journey in Pales-
tine in 1852, by the Rev. Dr. E. Robinson and others ;
and, 3d, Latest Researches in Syria and Palestine, by
the Chev. Van de Velde, of the Royal Dutch Navy.
ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC.—Mr. Thorpe Peed, of
the Royal Academy of Music, who recently performed
at the Polytechnic Institution, is about to give a series
of musical entertainments in the provinces. He is
thought to be one of the best singers from the matchless
school of Crivelli.
We regret to learn that Lady Mary Cecil, eldest
daughter of the Marquis of Exeter, has been suffering
for some days from a very serious attack of illness. Her
ladyship on Thursday completed her 21st year, and a
distinguished party was invited to celebrate the occasion,
but owing to her unfortunate indisposition the arrival of
company at Burghley has been postponed.
THE AMERICAN MINISTER IN MANCHESTER. The
public dinner to the Hon. J. R. Ingersoll, the American
Minister at the Court of St. James's, took place last
evening in the Town-hall, Manchester, under the presi-
dency of Mr. Robert Barnes, the Mayor. A large and
most influential party of merchants and men of high
commercial influence assembled to meet his Excellency,

who was accompanied by Mr. W. Brown, M.P. In the

course of the proceedings of the evening, the resolutions
from the board of directors of the Chamber of Com-
merce, and an address from the Commercial Association

(both beautifully engrossed on vellum), were presented
to his Excellency, the resolutions by Mr. Bazley, the
address by Mr. J. A. Turner, in their characters of
clo,irmen of the boards of direction of each body.
BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.—The ordinary meet-

ing was held last evening at the society's rooms, 20,
Bedford-street, Strand ; Mr. J. D. Salmon, F.L.S., in
the chair. Mr. G. Edgar Dennes, the secretary, an-
nounced numerous donations to the library, and stated
that many thousands of specimens of British plants had
been received since the last meeting, and would be dis-

tributed to the members next month. Mr. T. Moore,
F.L.S., read a paper, "On the occurrence of A eplenium.
viride, in a quasi-spontaneous condition, near Brighton."
PURCHASE OF. A VESTRY CLERKSHIP.-At the meet-

ing, held on Thursday evening, in the parish church of
St. Paul, Covent-garden' an extraordinary disclosure
was made by Air. Nichols, from which it appeared that
a negotiation h:ad taken place between Mr. Taylor and
Mr. Lewis for the sale and purchase of a vestry clerk-
ship, and that the purchase money fluctuated between
501. and 751. Mr. Lewis admitted that their mutual
supporters had an interview in his office, Essex-street,
when it was proposed that they should compare lists,
and that he who had the smaller number of pledged
voters should, upon receiving a proper compensation,
retire, in order to prevent the election of Mr. Daniel, a
Roman Catholic. It was stated at the meeting on
Thursday night that since 1848 not an entry had been
made of certain charitable trusts, and that during the
past year the ledger was a closed book.
_ _

Suicm.—Yesterday, Mr. Baker held an inquest, at
the Sportsman, Margaret-street, Haggerstone, on view
of the body of Clarks Richardson, a painter, aged 46, a
single man, who hung himself with a cord, at No. 1,
Gloucester-street, where he occupied a room. The de-
ceased had been. in a desponding state. Verdict, tem-

porary insanity.
SHOCKING GASH OF DESTITIITION.—Yesterday Mr.
Wakley held an. inquest at the board room of the Strand
Union workhouse, on the body of a man, named George
Reed, aged 45, formerly residing at 4, Old Boswell-
court. From the evidence it appeared that deceased
was found on Sunday evening in the Strand, insensible,
and with a bruise on the right temple ; his left hand was
also cut. The police procured a stretcher and removed
deceased to the station-house in Bow-street ; whence by
the direction of Inspector M'Kenzie, who said it was
more than a drunken case, the unfortunate man was
taken to King's College Hospital. Here the stomach
pump and electrifying machine were brought into opera-
tion, by means of which the man came to a little, and
the police were ordered to take him back to the station-
house, with a message that it was "a case for a station-
house, and not for an hospital." Before, however, de-

ceased reached Bow-street, he fell down quite insensible,
and never rallied. The Coroner said that the conduct of
the person who, after treating this unfortunate man
medically, had ordered him to the cell of a police court,
was highly reprehensible. Deceased presented a most
shocking appearance. He was emaciated, and covered
all over with soreg. He had seldom seen a more de-
plorable case. It was to be regretted that when unfor-
tunate persons like this were found in the streets, they
were generally treated as if they were drunk, merely
because they were insensible and unable to speak. The
evidence of the surgeon who performed the post mortem
examination went to prove that the whole of the organs
were in a most healthy state. There were two dots of
blood over the brain, one under the injury on the right
temple, the other on the opposite side as if caused by a
fall or blow. This was sufficient to cause death, and
deceased appeared to have died in a state of starvation.
There being nothing to prove how the injuries were
inflicted, the jury returned a verdict embodying merely
the facts.

THE LOSS OF THE VICTORIA STEAM-SHIP, OF HULL.—
An inquiry is now proceeding before Captain Beechey,
R.N., and Captain Walker, R.N., of the Naval Depart-
ment of the Board of Trade, at the offices of that depart-
ment, at Whitehall, relative to the loss of the Victoria,
Hdll-steamer, which was wrecked some weeks since near
Gothenburg, and was attended by a melancholy loss of
life. Some delay has been experienced in procuring the
attendance of the crew of the ship so as to give evidence,
and as yet the captain has not been examined, he not
having returned from Gothenburg. We believe the evi-
dence, or parts of it, will be made public when the inves-
tigation may be said to have been brought to a termina-
tion.—Shipping Gazette.
FIENDISH RAILWAY OBSTRUCTION.—On Thursday
some wretch attempted to overthrow a railway train on
the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire line by
placing four wooden railway sleepers across the down
rails, at a curve two miles west of the Woodhead Tun-
nel. Fortunately a luggage train, and not one with
passangers, was the first to come in collision with the
obstruction, about 12.15 p.m., and no serious injury re-
sulted. A man was seen to leave the railway at the
flat girder bridge, near the place, a little time before the
goods train came up. Mr. Allport, the manager, com-
municated the facts yesterday to Mr. Richard Beswick,
chief superintendent of the detective police at Man-
chester, and a strict inquiry is taking place, with a view
to the discovery of the offender. The company have
also offered a reward of fifty pounds on the conviction
of the man. The express train from Sheffield to Man-
chester was due at the place at five minutes after one,
and as the line for some miles above is on an incline, it
would probably have attained a great speed by the time
it came in collision with the obstructions, when con-
siderable loss of life must have resulted.

DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN CANADA.—It appears that the
statement of gold deposits having been discovered on the
property of the British American Land Company, in the
district of Sherbrooke, in Canada, has been fully con-
firmed, although, owing to the severity of the weather,
no definite opinion has yet been formed of their value
and extent. The Government Geological Surveyor has
visited the region, with instructions] to report upon
it, but the depth of snow at the present season obstructed
his proceedings. From the elevations at which the metal
has been found, however, he is stated to have arrived at
very favourable conclusions with regard to the probability
of its distribution in the valleys. The company have no
rights of mining for gold and, silver, these having, in
their case, being specially reserved to the Crown ; but
the population that must rapidly be attracted, both
from Europe and the United States, if surface workings
to any extent should prove to exist, will have an im-
portant effect in augmenting the value of their land.
THE RE-ELECTIONS IN IRELAND.—The accounts from
Carlow are still conflicting, but the friends of Mr. Sad-
leir speak more confidently of success. The hon. gentle-
man met his constituents on Tuesday evening, and
entefed into a lengthened statement of his Parliamentary
career since 1847 up to the present time, and gave the
reasons which induced him to accept office under the
Earl of Aberdeen. None of the Roman Catholic
clergy were present on the occasion, but a letter
was- received from the Right Rev. Dr. Haly, the
Titular Bishop, stating his regret at being unable to
attend, and expressing his anxiety that the most
effectual efforts should be adopted to secure Mr.
Sadleir's re-election for the borough. Dr. Haly being
all his life a sincere and consistent lover of peace and
good order, it would be difficult to say what value the
priests of his diocese place upon this mark of their
superior's confidence in the integrity of the new Lord of
the Treasury. Time, however, will tell the tale. Mean-
while Mr. Frederick Lucas, who was a spectator on the
occasion, is said to have gone down there with'a view of
inducing some candidate of kindred politics to enter the
field against the "Government man," but had been so
far unsuccessful in his search. Eventually a resolution
afternoon
mwasatema e adoptedns pledgingto insure
the the
re-election m e tin g toof
the
ee
lateevery g iti
member.-
SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY.—The United States mail
last,ste fosrhwipeHwe
yrmorakn,n,hlueftt
hhaevirengonheWen heedanuegsdayi tn severe
gale, she lost a portion of her forecastle deck, and was
compelled to return to this port for repairs, where she
arrived this evening. The damage, we believe, although
extensive, will not occupy many days in repairing. The
Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam ship Tagus,
Captain Soy, with the Peninsular mails left this after-
noon. She took out several passengers, and specie to
the amount of 10,0001.
A land steward was murdered on Wednesday in Tip-
perary.