The Sun.
London, England, 1831-01-24 00:00:00

conjunction, which all the Allies, but the one
interested, view with so great suspicion and
dread. The policy of France, throughout all
the Belgian negocigons, has been to embar-
rass the proceedings of the Provisional Go-
vernment, in order that the Belgians might
become weary of discussion, and throw them-
selves into the arms of the French, which have
long been outstretched to receive them when-
ever they may seek the embrace. The objec-
tions intimated by France to the Duke de
LEVCIITENBERG did not arise from the pue-
rile fear of the name of BEAUHARNOIS, but,
a 8 we more than suspect, from the ulterior ob-
ject we have alluded to. To suppose that the
citizen King could withhold for a moment his
assent to the choice of the Belgians, even
should it have fallen upon young NAPOLEON
himself, is absurd,—for it would imply that
the title of Louis PHILIPPt himself is de-
fective. We are satisfied that the French Go-
vernment, in accordance with the wishes of the
French people, has aimed at (and does it still
aim at ?) the consolidation of Belgium with
"/a grande nation and therefore, though
we do not desire to raise the question how far
such a policy on the part of :France is justifi-
able, we say there is abundant necessity for cau-
tion with those who would see with alarm the
extension of France to her limits' under the
Empire.
Those European Powers who are known to
be the formidable enemies of all freedom, what-
soever, and wheresoever,—Russia, Austria, and
Prussia,—are exerting their combined strength
to recover for the Prince of ORANGE the throne
from which his race has been expelled for ever.
The proclamation of this misguided Prince, who
is still residing in obscurity in this metropolis,
was, of course, put forth at the instigation of
some or one of the Powers in question. The
brother-in-law of the Emperor NICHOLAS could
hardly want supporters in his intrigues among
the members of that league of Princes whose
names are the terror and aversion of the Liberals
throughout Europe. It is, however, perfectly
consistent in these Powers to do what in them
lies to bring back to the Belgians the yoke of
their oppressors, and we only allude to their
policy, for the purpose of showing that their ob-
ject would likewise be furthered by the delay of
the Belgians in making choice of a Sovereign.
If the policy of Great Britain coincides nei
tiler with that of France nor of Russia, the
course she has to pursue towards Belgium is
plain. Great Britain must and will recognise
the election which the Belgians are on the point
of making. There are reasons enough which
may satisfy the Belgians that this recognition
cannot fail to take place. The English nation
are decidedly adverse to foreign interference, be
it where it may. Our Government is fully aware
of the national feeling, and-knows that it cannot
violate it, even if it had the disposition. We,
therefore, repeat, that the Belgians need enter-
tain no apprehension that their new Sovereign
will net be recognised by the British Government.

We this day insert the copy of a petition from
the inhabitant householders of St. James's,
Westminster, to both Houses of Parliament, for
the repeal of the House and Window Tax.
We have frequently expressed our opinion of
these oppressive imposts, and are glad to observe
that several of the leading parishes are actively
engaged in petitioning the Legislature for their
repeal. That the contributions to the State for
its constitutional maintenance, and to enable the
Government to keep its faith with the public
creditor, must be made up by assessments upon
the people in some shape, admits of no question
—hut why in the name of common sense and
common justice is not the weight of the burden
more equalised, and consequently rendered more
easy to be borne ? To make an industrious
man, perhaps just commencing the world, and
with his utmost exertions scarcely capable of
maintaining a house over his head, pay as much
in the shape of House Tax as the private gen-
tleman who lives upon his fortune, seems the
height of injustice, and there are very many in-
stances wherein the traders, by reason of requiring
larger premises to carry on their business, al-
though generally with much smaller dwellings,
pay considerably more than the rich and the
titled. If the present Ministry have any desire,
and we are sure they manifest tl►e utmost
anxiety to gain the confidence of the great body
of the people composing the middle classes, and
who in fact arc the main support of the nation,
let them remove or at least moderate these un-
equal and most unpopular taxes. Surely there
are many ways of raising the amount to make
up the deficiency, without pressing so hard on
the class least able to bear it.
We have often said that excessive taxation de-
feats its own purpose, and what can be more op-
pressive or unjust than a tax that falls with
more severity on the poor than the rich ?
Window Tax is not only a severe visitation on
the poor, but is prejudicial to their health by ex-
cluding the free air of Heaven from purifying
their habitations. Let us hope that Lord AL-
THORP Will so manage his Ways and Means that
the man of wealth can no longer have it in his
power to boast that he contributes no more to
the state for the enjoyment of his ample dwel-
ling than the poor lodging-housekeeper or
tradesman for the small portion their several
avocations barely leave them for actual oc-

cupation.
TO THE HONOURABLE THE COMMONS OF GREAT
BRITAIN AND IRELAND, IN PARLIAMENT AS-
SEMBLED.
THE PETITION OF THE UNDERSIGNED INHABI-
TANT HOUSEHOLDERS OF THE PARISH OF ST.
JAMES, WESTMINSTER,
Sheweth,—That the House and Window Tax is in the
highest degree oppressive and unjust in its effects upon the
middling dames of the people, especially those engaged in
trade and manufactures. .

That their property has of late years undergone very
great deterioration; and that in the present distressed state
of the country, the returns and profits of trade are so re-
duced as not to remunerate for the capital and labour em-
ployed ; that this state of suffering is still further aggravated
by the enormous amount levied for llonseand Window Tax.
Th..t under these circumstances, while pressing necessity
compels the most rigid economy, this impost operates with
encreased severity and partiality upon traders, forming an
alarming and overwhelming expence, from which it is
impossible to escape ; while persons of independent pro-
perty can and do in immense numbers, either through