The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-10 00:00:00

T.HE QUARTER'S REVENUE.

(From the Observer.)
The Revenue returns for the quarter will be
made up to-morrow, the 10th of October, in the
usual tabular form, and published on Tuesday
mthoernlaintegs. Until t
ittheis a;cotfualcofiurgusre
es, addedimar;oeible t o
up
be
precise in the comparison of the year and quarter
just ended with the corresponding period of 1852.
Enough, however, is already known to enable us to
state that the result of the comparison will be in
every respect eminently satisfactory. In spite of
large_reductions—or, as it would now- almost seem,
in coli/Once-of these recttetitYttsrallthose sources
of revenue, in particular, that are moved by the
springs of industry and trade, seem to become more
and more elastic and enlarged by every successive
removal of restrictions. It is precisely in those
departments of the public revenue where the
largest reductions have been made that the greatest
increase is to be found. Even the abolition of
whole items of taxation—such as the soap
tax—seems to be met with an increased con-
sumption of other exciseable articles on the part
of the population most affected by the repeal, who
are thus enabled to increase their comforts in
every way, and still to contribute their due share
to the public burdenS. The continuous success of
the improved commercial policy of late years is the
best test of its wisdom, and the highest encourage-
ment to proceed further, boldly on the same path.
The revenue for the year ending the 10th of
October will exhibit a considerable increase over
the year ending 10th of October, 1852. This im-
provement in the year will show a large increase
upon the sum total—whilst almost every particu-
lar item of taxation will contribute its share to the
general result.

- The income of the quarter, too, notwithstanding
the reductions which have been in full force during
the last three months, will exhibit an increase upon
the corresponding quarter of last year. The in-
crease, if not so large as the somewhat exaggerated
statements that have been prematurely put forth in
unauthorised quarters, is certainly not to be over-
looked. It will be all the more gratifying, as at
one time a contrary result was looked upon as the
natural effect of the very large reductions of the
last session.

Both on the year and on the quarter the bulk
of the increase will be found to proceed from the
departments of the Customs and the Excise.
There will be a small—probably a merely nominal
decrease in the assessed taxes ; but if so, it will be
owing rather to the accidental state of the collec-
tion than to other causes. Some old stamp duties
repealed, and waiting for the new reductions to
come into operation to-morrow (this day), have no
doubt lessened the receipts from that source in the
last quarter. The total abolition of the soap
duties, which produced 1,200,0001., a year, the
repeal of the advertisement duty upon newspapers,
the reductions in posting and carriage duties and
other items, have to be taken into account, in
estimating the receipts of the Inland. Revenue
department, In the teeth of these losses it is
most 'ratifying to see the Excise exhibit a
decided increase. Nothing can more clearly
demonstrate the satisfactory condition of trade,
and the enjoyment of comforts, and even luxu-
ries, by the great bulk of the industrious popu-
lation. The increase in the Customs, too, is
most satisfactory, when we take into account the
numerous reductions made in the very last session
alone, in addition to those that were made before,
during the last ten or dozen years. The next ses-
sion will probably see the smaller items that still
remain struck off altogether. The revenue has not
suffered in anything like the estimated amount by
the reduction in tea and sugar duties, which have
given such general relief. Some portion of the
quarter's increase, to be sure, may be attributed to
the increased importation of grain, which assists
the Customs revenue to some extent, even at the
nominal impost of ls. per quarter.
Upon the whole it may be confidently stated that
all branches of the revenue are understood to be in
a most prosperous condition ; and that on a balance
of receipt and expenditure a very considerable
surplus will remain, in spite of all reductions of
taxation, and in the face of the not inconsiderable,
but essential, additions made to our expenditure
for the necessary purpose of perfecting our national
defences.