The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-24 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE [SUN.

Sla,—Having seen your remarks a few days ago
upon my speech here at the cattle show dinner, I sent
you on Thursday a Birmingham Midland Herald,
which contained a much more correct report than any
previous one. I see that you object to raise revenue
upon the importation of corn, and so do I; but as
long as you raise revenue upon the importation of
manufactures, there is no valid or reasonable objec-
tion why you should not do so on corn alto. I cannot
admit your objection, " that it would be a small
amount for revenue compared with what would be
lost by the higher price of corn here." In the first
place, I do not believe that the price would be as much
higher as a low duty ; all the experience of former
times from 1700 to 1790 shows that it would not; and
nothing since 1790 can he received as evidence,
because so many extraordinary circumstances affected
all prices. Again, I have yet to learn that the nation
sustains a loss or obtains an advantage by any altera-
tion in prices of either agricultural or manufactured
produce by which either class obtains the produce of
the other cheaper. The one interest or the other may
be gainers or losers, but the notion as a whole can
only be aWected by very low priers giving an advan-
tage to all the idle money interest over all the indus-

trious classes, as is now the case I should prefer that
all import duties should be sbAshed, ;Aid the whole
revenue be collected by a tax on prorrty. As to pro-
tection, which I am confident our heavily taxed
industry requires against the lightly taxed nidusiry of
the rest of the world, that can only he justly ob'ained
by such an equitable alteration of our monetary
system as will protect our industrious classes against
our idle classes. I have always been of opinion that
manufacturers and agricul.urists have an equal right
to live, and those of either class who think to live
long upon the other will find themselves egregiously
mistaken.— Yours respectfully,

_
- G. F. MUNTZ.
Ley Hall, near Birmingham, Dec. 22d, 1849.

A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS EVE.
(From Eliza Cook's Journal.)
I cannot let my harp be still
While holy chimes and bells are ringing.
Come round me, neighbours, if ye will,
And help me in my carol singing.
Chaunt, loud and long, 'tis " Christmas Eve,"
We've got a merry time before us.
And now, old friends, by your good leave,
I'll troll the song and ye the chorus;
And this shall be the theme for glee,
A theme no cynic dare condkmn,
May kindly word and loving heart.
Be household " stars of Bethlehem."
We all have had our yearly share
Of pains and griefs and:sad vexations,
For grim old Care comes everywhere,
And claims us as his near relations.
Our heads bate ached, our hands have toiled.
But blackest bread may hold some leaven,
And all earth's trials never spoiled
A spirit that had faith in heaven.
Crashed bloom a perfume still imparts,
Though hard the blow that smote the stem,
And hearts that feel for others' hearts
Are human " stars of Bethlehem."

But surely some bright hours have come
Of Hope and Joy, of Peace and Beauty;
Some welcome ray has cheered our way,
And lighted up the path of Duty.
Some blessings have been scattered round,
Some d: ups of mercy have bet n showered;
Some heavy chains have been unbound,
Some clouds have passed that darkly lowered.
So let us raise the notes of praise,
For gratitude is Nature's gem,
And breasts that wear it stied a beam
Like holy " stars of Bethlehem."
Let friend and foe, let age and youth,
Let weak and strong draw nigh together,
And spread the wing of social truth
Without one rough or broken feather.
'Ti. fit that such a time as this
Should link us closer to each other,
To spread the circle of our bliss
Until it.reach our poorest brother.
Ob," help the Leedy, ' Air 'tis said,
The hands that raise and succour them
Will find a friend in Him who made
His sign " the star of Bethleh,an."
God give us might, God give ui will
To render thanks for Plenty's measure,
And may our bounty ever spill
A goodly portion of the zreasure.
May blessings fall on each and all
ho rightly use the gifts entrusted;
But shame to Wealth that keeps in stealth
Its " talent" cold, and dim, and rusted.
The pearl of Charity is yet
The Christian's purest. fairest gem,
And every bosom where 'Lis set .
Serves well the " star of Bethlehem.
ElarlEl' there are merry bells without,
And let us ring our chimes within,
Let mirth and music breathe abOut,
For simple pleasure killeth
Chaunt loud and long. 'tis "Christmas Eve,"
Come help me, neighbours; in my singing,
Ye give true notes, and by your leave,
I'll string the echoes ye are flinging.
And thus the glsd refrain is heard,
A theme no cynic dare condemn, •
May loving heart, and kindly word,
Be 'howehold stars of Bethlehem."
ELIZA COOK.

STRIFE OF POUTERS AND DRAYMEN ON THII
MIDLAND RAILWAY.—On Tlinr.itiay morning notices
were posted at Leeds, offeri,,g employment to able-
bodied men as porters at tie goods station of the Mid-
land ItailwAy, in Ilunslet-lure,, at wages of 16s. per
week. 111,, deinund' for' these men has arisen In con-
kqueoce of the vrters at present (mployed having
refused to accept reduced wege.- Their wages have
been 17i. per week, and the directors have • determined
to reduce the& to 165. The draymen, Fe ho have been
in the receipt of 18s per reek, have also been offered a
reduction of Is.; and they, like the porters, have deter-
minednot to accept it. Thu consequence is tbit about
forty men employed at the Leeds goods station will
leave their employment at the end of the present week;
and the girectora were sitting yesterday (Friday) at the
station to engage new bands to supply the place of thaw
who had turned out.