The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-15 00:00:00

Tht

LONDON, FRIDAY, JULY 15, 1853.

It will be seen that Lord JOHN RUSSELL last
night acknowledged the error into which he had
fallen in reference to the NESSELRODE circular,
explaining that his misapprehension as to the con-
struction of the passage relating to the withdrawal
of the EMPEROR'S troops when complete satisfac-
tion had been given by the Turkish Government,
and the fleets of the maritime Powers had with-
drawn from the Turkish waters, arose from a
hasty and cursory perusal of the document, which
had only just been made public, and the impossi-
bility of supposing that a person of the experi-
ence and sagacity of Count NESSELRODE would
have affixed his signature to a document
declaring to all the world that the Russian
Government made the removal of the French and
English fleets from these waters the condition of
its evacuation of the Principalities. The fallacy
of the position is indeed too clear to admit of
argument, and we can scarcely wonder at the
incredulity of the Noble Lord, or the mistake
(which he now unequivocally acknowledged) into
which he had fallen on the subject.
One important circumstance was, however,
elicited, which adds to the expectation of bringing
the matter to a satisfactory conclusion. The
Noble Lord distinctly stated that it was a mis-
take to suppose that the negotiations on the sub-
ject had come to " a dead-lock." On the con-
trary, he asserted that " both the English and
the French Government have considered that
there are propositions which might be acceded to
both by Russia and Turkey, which would be the
means of obtaining a pacific solution of these un-
fortunate differences." The Noble Lord added,
that " some time must elapse before it can be as-
certained from St. Petersburgh what view may be
taken of any mode of settlement which either
England or France or Austria may arrive at."
This is so far satisfactory; for, although it in-
volves a delay, very prejudicial to the best inte-
rests of society, it leads to a hope that the cala-
mity of war may be averted. We only hope that
the opinions and remonstrances of the Western
Powers may be convoyed in such vigorous and
energetic terms, as to convince the AUTOCRAT that
there is no hope of bullying or cajoling France and
England, for once united in judgment, and arrayed
side by side in the cause of justice and of honour.
If the communications be short and decisive,
peace will be maintained ; if trimming or vacil-
lating, we shudder to think of the possible results.

The Newspaper Stamp Duties Bill last night
received a second reading. Nothing, however,
was said respecting the portion of the subject to
which the community in general, as well as public
journalists, are looking forward with intense in-
terest—namely, whether the Duties on Advertise-
ments are to be totally abolished, or merely re-
duced to 6d. —one-third of the present rate.
That point, as well as the question of the Supple-
ment Stamp, is to be disposed of when another
measure—the Stamp Duties Bill—comes under
the Legislative consideration. It was anticipated
that the public mind would have been set
at rest on the interesting subject long ere
this. Hitherto, however, that hope has not
been reali •
sed ; but we trust that there will not
be anY further delay, and that Mr. GLADSTONE
may deem it consistent with his duty to yield to
the general wish, and
give up the paltry
charge which would
still—subject all periodical
publications to the vexatious and annoying regu-
lations made for enforcing full
payment of the duty,
which, if retained, will)
We
majorifetyar, prevent either
the public or the great
from receiving the benefit of the or fedthe journals
the revenue from obtaining the ecluivuaiction, and
(nits would flow into it from other sources
we believe, would prevent any los; vild that
iatwhich'
from the surrender of the disputed sixpence6°"er
The great error -which Mr. GLADSTONE has com-
mitted in his calculation is, that he looks .so e 1 I
y
to the Advertisement Duties, and to the produce
of the 61 from that source alone. Ile has

wholly overlooked additional stamps on Supple-
ments, which, even if he still persists in enlarging
the superficial area from 1,530 to 2,295 inches,
would flow in from the halfpenny on the Double
Supplement. Nor does he make any allowance
whatsoever for the Paper Duties, which would be
received from the extra quantity consumed in these
additional Supplements. Had lie left the duty on
Supplements untouched, and not a single applica-
tion had been made from any quarter for a remis-
sion or modification of that tax, it is obvious that
in the instance so clearly put by our contem-
porary, the Mornino Herald (and which
we have transferred to our columns), that
the 251. 16s. Bd. additional revenue that would
be derived from a single publication of the .Man-
eltester Guardian, would be increased to 511. 13s.
4d. at least ; for the Herald, whose concise and
able argument places the question on such clear
and intelligible grounds, has determined to claim
no credit that could be caviled at or disputed.
In has, therefore, not taken as an element in the
calculation the additional sale of the journals in
which these advertisements were contained. Now
it is notorious that each advertiser invariably
takes one or more copies of the journal in which
his notice has appeared—we believe that three or
four copies would not be found much above the
average. If, then, we add the extra stamps, as
well as the Paper Duties, on the number of

additional copies sold, the loss of the ls. 6d.
on each advertisement, and not merely the
Gd., would be fully made up. The refusal
to accede to the application would therefore be
unwise. Even so far as the Exchequer is con-
cerned, and putting the public interest altogether
out of the question, we sincerely trust that Mr.
GLADSTONE may yield on the question, and not
let his pride induce him to persevere in that
which would be at best but " penny wise and
pound foolish policy." As the Herald justly ob-
serves, "he would probably gain more than he
would lose by entirely conceding all that is asked
of him."

There was one excellent suggestion thrown out
by the Right Honourable Gentleman the Member
for Manchester in the course of the discussion.
He recommended that the clauses respecting the
Advertisement and Supplement Duties should
be inserted in the same bill with that de-
fining a newspaper, so that there should
be no necessity for referring to different
Acts of Parliament, passed in the same Ses-
sion, on one subject. Mr. GLADSTONE thought
" that there might be convenience in such a
course," and promised that he would take it into
his consideration. We trust that the considera-
tion will lead him to a correct conclusion. He
may amalgamate the Bill last night before the
House with the Stamp Duties Bill, on bringing
up the report, totally repealing the Duties on
Advertisements. He would thus effect a mate-
rial saving of the public time—a matter of great
importance under present circumstances—and
bring the vexata questio to a satisfactory, and to
himself by no means a discreditable, conclusion.

We rejoice to find that the South-Eastern Rail-
way (Canterbury and Whitstable, &c.) Bill has
passed its third reading in the House of Lords by
a very decisive majority, notwithstanding the
strenuous opposition offered to it at the last
moment, and after it had obtained the sanction
of the Select Committee, by which it bad been in-
vestigated in all its details, and before whom it
had been strongly opposed by other companies,
who appeared with a formidable array of counsel,
agents, and witnesses, in order to defeat the
measure. When under such circumstances the
Select Committee had, after mature and delibe-
rate consideration, declared that there was no
adequate ground for its rejection, and strongly
recommended its adoption, it would be strange
indeed if Noble Lords, who knew little if any-
thing of its merits, should, by a party vote, have
thrown out the Bill, and passed so great a slight
on many members of their own order, as the con-
tumelious disregard of their report would neces-
sarily be regarded. When a matter has been so
referred, the decision of the Committee should be
final. Nothing can be more absurd than to put a
body of Noblemen and Gentlemen to the trouble of
examining all the evidence bearing upon a subject,
considering its effect, and then, without cause
or reason, without indicating any mistake they
may have committed, to reverse their decision.
If such practices should be tolerated, far better to
get rid of the farce of inquiry, and to have such
questions disposed of summarily, and without the
serious expenses being incurred during the investi-
gation.
The able speech of Lord STANLEY of Alderley
placed the matter in the clearest light. The Noble
Lord who, during the investigation before the
Committee, had made himself master of the sub-
ject, completely removed the objections that were
again put forward, after they had been over and
over again disposed of. He took a business and
statesmanlike view of the subject, dispelling by
the light of plain sound common sense the mists
which prejudice and ignorance had excited. He
pointed out distinctly and intelligibly the vast
difference lattoooen the steam navigation which
carried on a general trade throughout the entire
world and that which was limited to local ports,
where it was in connection with other means of
transit, such as railways. When it becomes
practically an extension of the accommodation
of by the latter, and keeping up an
unbroken line of communication, not merely
across the Channel, but throughout Europe,
the great inconvenience that might, and most
probably would, arise from any disagreement
between the railway and steam-packet companies
must be obvious to any person who bestows the
slightest consideration on the subject. Nothing,
then, more ‘..-,neficial to the travelling public and
to the shareholders of the different companies
could be suggested than an amalgamation on equit-
able terms, by which both would be brought under
one management, and the highest degree of accom-
modation afforded to the community. It is clearly
the intil.st of the shareholders to draw the traffic
from rival lines to their own. This can only be
achieved by affording superior facilities in the
way of speed, comfort, and economy, and every
attempt to do so might easily be thwarted by any
degree of hostility on the part of those engaged in
the steam-boat traffic. The course most beneficial
for the community is to have the competition
afforded by the different routes, but each route to
be under a single management, and this will be

attained by the success of the measure which we

have just recorded.
We heartily congratulate tho BOal d of Mana
ment and shareholders of the South-Eastern Railway
and also all continental travellers on this auspi-
cious result. Mr. MACGREGOR and his brother
Directors have entitled themselves to the thanks

and gratitude of their constituents, whose in-
terests have been so materially advanced, and of
the communityin general, for the energetic, indefa-
tigable, and efficient exertions that have pro-
duced such effects. We cannot forget that it is
to those labours that we are indebted, not merely
for the present measure, but also for the regula-
tion which enabled passengers to come on to
London without having their luggage examined
until after their arrival in London, in place of the
vexatious and expensive delay, the loss of time
and money by the detention at Dover or Folk-
stone, and which so fully warranted the eulogium
passed upon their general conduct by Lord
STANLEY while the bill was in committee, and
responded to by every disinterested auditor.
The South-Eastern Company has, indeed, reason
to be proud of their Directors, and to be grateful
for their able and efficient management of their
affairs, which has led to their greatly increased
and rapidly augmenting prosperity.

CANCER HOSPITAL—The King of Hanover, prior to
his departure from this country, forwarded, through
Count Kielmansegge, a handsome donation in aid of the
funds of this hospital. For the same purpose, Sir H. R.
Hoare, Bart., has, within these few days, transmitted a
donation of 1001. A legacy of 2001. has been received
from the executors of the late Mrs. Macqueston, of
Knightsbridge, and also a donation from John Baring,
Esq.
4alorr the4lan
PORT ROYAL (JAMAICA) COPPER MINING COMPANY.—
itaload
aecaentiloof this company held yesterday, it was
,90
new
shares,
of IZ,
eaarcrhan.gements for working the
2 Swift River contracts, and for issuing