The Sun.
London, England, 1822-03-19 00:00:00

Prevailed respecting the effects of a diminution
of the Malt Tax, may serve to convince the
niemberi of Government and of both Houses of.
Parliament, that something. more than mere
theory, however plausible, is requisite to justify
the adoption of measures in which not only im-
portant interests, but the very existence. of the
Empire, may- be involved, and may satisfy them
(we say it with every feeling of respect), that they
themselves do not yet understand. either the sci-
ence . _
or the application of political economy,
. .
though without such understanding they cannot
safely disturb any of the existing interests or
commercial relations of the country. It is impos-
sible not to be sensible of the justice of this re-
mark, when we find them expecting two opposite
and utterly irreconcileable consequences to flow
from one measure,—the reduction 'ofa shilling per
bushel on the Malt Tax. The avowed object of
the reduction was to benefit the farmers, by in-
creasing the consumption of malt, and thus rais-
ing the price of barley ; and the increased con-
sumption was to take place in consequence of the
expected decrease in the price of beer and other
malt liquors. But, as we sheaved at the time of

the proposition, no diminution in the price of
beer could take place ;—and, as we also shewed
at the time, even if a diminution in the price of
beer were to take place ;—and if; in consequence,
there shotild, be an increased consumption ;—and
if; as a furtherconsequence, there should also be a
rise in the price of barley;—then the rise in
the price of barley would have the same effect
upon the price of beer as the tax ! Porter
and other malt liquors would again get up;—
the consumption would be diminished ;—the
Price of barley would again come down ;—and no
Parties would be benefited by the reduction of
the tax but the brewers and maltsters, who
vould pocket so many hundred thousands of
Pounds as had been withdrawn from the payment
of soldiers and sailors, and wrung from the wages
of artificers in the dock-yards and other public
'establishments, and from the salaries of clerks in
Public offices! This must have been the result,
and speedily, even if the first effect of reducing
the tax had been to reduce the price of beer.—
The two expected consequences-, reduction of
The price of beer, and elevation of the price of
barley, could not have existed together ! The
farmer, therefore, could.derive no possible be-
nefit from this or any similar measure ; while a
large portion of the people have been deeply in-
jured in order to enable the Legislature to make
the ftitile attempt !

EFllo2if THE GIBRALTAR CHRONICLE, FEBRUARY '25.]
The King has accepted the resignation of the Marquis de
casteldorrius, Commandant-General of Catalonia, and ap-
Pointed Camp Marshal Vives to succeed him. The Marquis
!s henceforth to be quartered -in -Barcelona, whither he has
been directed to proceed without delay. The sale of the
nic Spanish ships of the line, ometime since advertized
foCadiz, could not be effected on the appointed day
r want of bidders, and accordingly fresh notices have been
Published, offering to give up two of them to any one that shall
undertake to take the other four to pieces, leaving the materials
Qehmd for the use of the Naval Department. In Orense con-
Zerable disturbances have occurred lately, and troops were
ital'elling by order of the Governor of the province to disperse
he rioters and protect the local authorities.

, We have received the Paris Journals of Thurs-
ttlY and Friday, from which it would appear
that the French capital is nearly tranquillized,
which desirable object however has been effected.
The weather at Petersburgh, is so unusually
Thild, that the ice-mountains, the favourite amuse-
!tient of the Russians in Lent, could not, accord-
'tig to custom, be erected on the Neva, because
the ice was not strong enough to bear the weight;
they
have therefore been erected on the Grand
parade.
Last Saturday week the Church of. Slype, be-
ll4on Ostend and Nieuport, was struck with
tghtning, and entirely consumed, except the
are walls. We learn also from Groningen, that
, lightning struck the steeple of St. Martin's,
'll4 set fire to it.
t. A fire broke out in the Academy of Arts, at
etersburgh, in the morning of the 16th ult.,
"h'
eh consumed a part of that fine building ;
b
e file is supposed to have been caused liy the
of of a pipe of one of the stoves. No works
°I art have been lost on this occasion.
RIGIITO24, MARCH 17.—The KING continues
utt the happiest enjoyment of health and spirits.
rea rrivals at and returns to the Pavilion, he-
nner yesterday, were important and nu-
merous.
We learn, from an authority in which we
'"acr. confidence, that the return of the Revenue
,
nP to Saturday night, exhibits an increase of
ear 450,0001. over the corresponding period of
last Year.—(Morning Paper.)
,I'he late advices from China state, that the
steigning EMPEROR has issued several Edicts, re-
liraining and forbidding the admissiOn of Mis-
S°"ries from Europe, who have arrived in that
Pire, with a view to propagate the Christian
esterday, a Deputation of the Livery waited
tin the LORD MAYOR with a Requisition, most
,:tkierously and respectably signed, for a Com-
-0 °_ll tiali, to take into consideration the present
tll;_stressed situation of the country, and the best
thalls of promoting Parliamentary Reform, as
Only certain means of redress. His Lordship
44`.ehred the Gentlemen with great politeness,
thtltared the day that would be most agreeable to
13:4), and immediately acceded to their wishes
4:„ aPpointing next Thursday'week for the Com-
-31 Three houses in the iron trade, in Stafford-
, have stopped payment ; one of .them has.
CLued adrift 700 workmen. (Birmingham