The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-11 00:00:00

ROTAL PROCLAMATION.

" Who'll kill the dragon ? " Or me he shall gorge ;
I
I, says St. George, l'll kill the dragon."—Old MS.
Arming of St. George for the approaching Fight. Latest odds at
the "Corner," 1,000 to 0 on the Dragon (taken). " May the best
nun win."

Scene 8. THE DRAGON'S HAUNT IN THE DESOLATE VALLEY.—

How the Dragon introduces the country
quarters ;" how St. George follows on horseback (the railroad not
being quite finished); how he and the Dragon fall in, and then fall
out. The Battle (for particulars of which keep your eyes fixed on
Messrs. Payne and Wieland). How the result of the last round not
only elevates St. George to the " Crown" of Egypt and the " five
skilling pieces" of England, but at the same time introduces the
audience to

Scene 9. GRAND 11.4.1. L OF CUIVALRY.—TIOW St. George receives
the " Battle Money" (alias the hand of the Princess Sabra). Re-
appearance of the March of Intellect. Introduction of Old Friends
In New Characters.

Harlequin.... Mr. Howell, C10wn.... Mr. T. Matthews.
Pantaloon.-- Mr. Priorson. Columbine Miss Hicks.
Scene 10. DEALER IN CURIOSITIES AND IRONMONGER AND CUT-
LER'S Snor.—lmproved Surgical Instruments. " Holding the mirror
up to nature." " Families furnished" on a novel principle. A loud
Report on the New Houses of Parliament. A fashionable complaint
files to the Clown's head.
Scene I 1. CORNCHANDLER'S SHOP AND GRANARY.—More ways than
ene of being "in clover." Specimen of the very best " Britannia
Metal." Plenty of "game" in high preservation. Cabinet measures
and corn measures. A lot of " chaff " in both. Harlequin gives
Clown " the sack." Abundant specimens of the New Tariff.
Scene 12. SIAMESE VILLAS AND NURSERY GROUND.—" To be let, to-
gether or separate." Ethiopian Serenaders provided on the shortest
notice. " Get out of the way, Old I)an Tucker," and make way for
"patent elastic India-rubber hoots." Effects of " putting your feet
in it." The Spanish marriage horticulturally illustrated. Spanish
nut and Orleans plum. " A plague o' both your houses."
Scene 13. TINMAN AND TatLoa's SHOPS.—The original little Tin
Kettle. Water always hot. A grate mistake. " Going out a shoot-
ng." Grand Experiments in Gun Cotton, ending in an awful Catas-
trophe.
Scene 14. INTERIOR OF BRITISH AND FOREIGN TOT WAREHOUSE.—
Toys for the Million. Magic Cards. How to " cut and shuffle."
Jack in the Box and out of it. First-rate teem and turn out. " See
the Conquering Hero comes."
Scene 15. Tim STATUS AS IT IS ; or, Wellington at Hyde-park-
sorrier.
Scene 16. Tux STATUE As IT Was ; or, Wellington at Waterloo.
" Look here upon this picture, and on this."

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA. COVENT GARDEN.
The nobility, gentin , and public are respectfully informed, that
the New Theatre will Open the first week in for the per-
formance of the Lyrical Drama, on a scale of efficiency in every
department never before attempted in this country. The Ballet
will include the names of the most celebrated Artists. The
Prospectus for the arrangements of the Season will be issued in due
course. M. BEALE, Director.
January 9, 1847.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAY MARKET.
Under the Management of Mr. B. Webster, sole Lessee.
THIS EVENING _ .

Will be performed a new and original Drama, called TIIE
ROUND OF WRONG ; or, a Fireside story. Sir Arthur Foljambe,
Mr. Stuart ; Lichen, Mr. Rogers ; Reuben Gwynne, Mr. Webster ;
Ducks, Mr. Ruckstone ; Harwood. Mr. Howard ; Lady Charlotte
Willoughby, Mrs. W. Clifford ; Mary Ryland, Miss Fortescue ;
Jenny, Miss Woulds.
After which (by desire), the Farce of NICOLAS FLAM. Nicolas
Ylam, Mr. Farren ; Shrimp, Mr. Buckstone ; Miss Puddicombe,
Mrs. Clifford.

During the evening the Band will perform the Overtures, " La
Rayadere," " Italiana in Algeria," " Guillaume Tell," and a Po-
lonaise.

To conclude with an Original Grand Fairy Extravaganza,
galled the INVISIBLE, PRINCE; or, the Island of Tranaul
Delights. Principal characters by Mr. .James Bland, Miss P. Horton,
Mrs. L. S. Buckingham, Miss Reynoldi, and Miss Julia Bennett.

THEATRE ROYAL, LYCEUM
Under the Manazentent of Mrs. Keeley.

Triumphant success of Boes new Christmas Piece. The new and
splendid Pantomime every evening. A great hit.
THIS EVENING _ . .

Will be performed a Drama, lotiided on the New Christmas
Annual of Charles Dickens, Esq., and .adapted to the stage (by the
exclusive permission of the author, from the proof sheets) by Albert
Smith, Esq.. called THE BATTLE OF LIFE. Principal cha.
seaters by Messrs. Leigh Murray, Turner, F. Matthews, F. Vining,
Meadows, Keeley ; Mrs. Woollidge, Miss Daly, Miss May, Miss
Grove, Miss Foster, and Mrs. Keeley.
After which, the Farce of MRS. WHITE. Characters by Messrs.
Turner, Kinloch, and Oxberry ; Miss Villars, Miss I urner, and Miss
Arden.
To" conclude with a New Comic Pantomime, entitled THE BUT-
TERFLY'S BALL. Harlequin, Mr. John Lauri ; Clown, Mr.
J. W. Cogier ; Pantaloon, Mr. Gough ; Columbine, Miss 0. Hicks ;
Attendant Sprites, Masters. C. and F. Lauri.

TIIEATRE ROYAL.
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MADAME CELESTE
THIS EVENING

Will be performed an original romantic Drama, called CO-
LOMBA, THE CORSICAN SISTER. characters supported by
Madame Celeste, Mrs. Yates ; Messrs. Wright, Worrell, Bedford,
0. Smith, kc.
Between the pieces the celebrated ENTORTILATIONISTS, Mr.
John Leas and his three Pupils—the Masters Hanlons, will ex-
hibit their wonderful Jena Gymnastiques.

After which a grand Fairy Spectacle, founded on the Ballet
of LA GISELLE, entitled THE PHANTOM DANCERS ; or, the
Wills Bride. Principal characters by Mr. Wright, Mr. P. Bedford,
Yr. 0. Smith, Mr. Cullenford, Madame Celeste, Miss Marian Taylor,
Illsa Emma Harding, Miss Ellen Chaplin, and Mrs. Laws.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
J. M. Maddox, sole Lessee and Manager.
Tins EVENING
"Will he performed a new and original Musical Romance, entitled
THE SEVEN MAIDS OF ; or The Ghost's Tower.
Col. Bertrand, Mr. C. Fisher ; Capt. d'Ar;nincourt Mr. Allen ;
Capt. Itellejamhe, Mr. Leffler ; Lieut. Adolphe, Mr. Wynn; Cornet
Grosdos, Mr. Compton ; Baron Bristlebach, Mr. Walton Bumps,
Mr. Homier ; Seven Maids of Munich, Misses Sara Flower, Rourke,
E. Ilonner, Elincks, Millar, L. Marshall, Laporte; Uriel, Miss
Marshall ; Madame Groutz, Mrs. Fosbroke.
After which a new Comic Drama, entitled THE TWO RAIN-
BOWS. Characters by Messrs. Compton, Cowell, Granby; Mrs. 11.
llughes, and Miss E. Honner.
In the course of the evening Professor HEMMING and his ta-
lented CHILDREN will go through their wonderful performances.
To conclude with a new Grand Comic Chrstmas Pantomime, enti-
tled The ENCHANTED BEAUTIES of the GOLDEN CASTLE ;
or, The One-eyed Geni. Harlequin, Mr. Bologna; Pantaloon, Mr.
Paulo ; Columbine, Miss Barbidgo ; Sprite, Mr. 11. Marshall ;
Clown, Mr. Flexmore.

FRENCH PLAYS.—ST. JAMES'S TIIEATRE.
Lessee, Mr. John Mitchell.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed the Drama, entitled DON CESAR DE
BAZAN. The character of Don Cesar de Bann by Mons. F. Le-
i:mitre ; supported by MM. Langeval, Maqquillier, Dumery, Car-
:ivy, pascal, Berou, Felix, Dorgebret, Tourillon, Grenet, Lucien,
Mole. Pagenier ; 3ldlle. Clarisse, Madame Grassau, and Mdlle.
Vallee..
Boxes, 6s. , Pit, 3s. 6d. ; Stalls, 35.; Gallery, 2s. Doors opened at
half-past Seyen, and the performances commence at Eight.

ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS, ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
The celebrated ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS Pell, Harrington,
White, Stanwood, and Germon, will have the honour of repeating
their Inimitable ENTERTAINMENT at the above Theatre, TO-
MORROW EVENING, and every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
during the Christmas Holidays. Doors open at Eight, and the En-
121fiturnent commences at Half-past Eight. And will (by desire)
‘ND DAY PERFORMANCE, on SATURDAY MORN-
Voram.iie.t, Jan. 13. Doors open at Two, and the Performance to
• at half-past Two.
aorriyate Boxti'4l„.. 4s. ; Pit, 25.; Amphitheatre, 2s.
and Places yal Library,
M usi e- sell e may he engaged at Mitchell's
, Old Ilond-street •
e aid "
and at the ' at all the principal Libraries

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Patronised
Proprietor, Mr. W. Batty.
Albert, Prince by her
of WaMosles, t Gracious Majesty the Queen. Prince
and Royal Family. The new Grand
Christmas Pantomime increases in attraction, and is pronounced to
be most magnificent for novelty, scenic, and mechanical effects.
TIIIS EVENING
titlWe dill beH performe
ON d a grand new l'agic al Equestrian Romance, Ten-
Charmed Bit. DEM MORSE ; or, The Twelve Wishes and the
To be followed by Patty's SCENES of the CIRCLE ; with
the performances or Liurentz Walff, the great Belgian horseman.
To conclude with the successful Comic Equestrian Fairy Pantomime,
entitled THE FORTY THIEVES; or, Harlequin and Ali Baba and the Robber's Cave. Clown, Mr. Rochez ; Harlequin, Mr. W. Har-
vey ; Pantaloon, Mr. LAffarini ; Columbine, Miss Louisa Waite.

ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.
Lessee, !rs. Frances Davidge.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed an original Drama, entitled TM& HAND OF
emmDs—GAME, LIFE, STAKES, DEATH. The characters will
be supported by the whole of the talented Company.
To conclude with a grand fairy Pantomime, called THE KING
OF TIIE CASTLE ; or, Harlequin in the Land of Dreams. Har-
lequin, Herr Derain ; Pantaloon, Her R. Deuliti ; Columbine, leldlle.
Theodore; Clown, Herr N. Dentin ; Punch, Herr E. Deulln.

ROYAL VICTORIA THEATRE.
Beim lo„ Half-price, fd ; Nit, 6d.; Gallery, 3d..

THIS EVENING

Will be performed THE BLACK DOCTOR. In which Miss Vin-
cent, Mrs. G. Lee, Miss L. Pearce, and Messrs. N. T. flicks,
110 TV ard, Bird, Searle, Forman, &c., will perform.
After which will be produced a grand Christmas Pantomime, en-
titled THE BIRTH OF TIIE STEAM ENGINE ; or, Harlequin
ant Jos Killer and his Men: Clown, Mr. T. harry,

Itenin
\LONDON, MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 1847.

It will be perceived, from a letter addressed to
ourselves, ioy his Excellency the Governor of Guern-
sey, and published in another column, that the cal-
culations latterly advanced by some of our Contem-
poraries as reasons for the retirement of the British
troops from Sinde, are, as we insisted on the 6th
ultimo, altogether garbled and fallacious. We are
always disposed to look with suspicion upon state-
merits advanced with so much egotistical positiveness
in reference to a country so remotely situated and so
recently annexed to the dominions of British In-
dia. Again, it was manifest that a territory of
such considerable dimensions, and of such
unquestionable fertility, could not prove so
entirely an encumbrance to its conquerors, or that,
presuming it did at the commencement of the occupa-
tion necessitate any remarkable disbursements from
the Exchequer, it must ultimately, and very speedily,
repay that outlay by extraordinary and remunerative
contributions. Much stress has been laid upon the
Parliamentary returns by those who are solicitous
for the abandonment of Sinde ; indeed, it is upon
those Parliamentary returns that the arguments
of these dissentients are based. "Let us re-
joice,"
they exclaim, " let us rejoice that
there is at last a feeble approximation to sanity in the
councils of Bombay. Yes, the legislators of our
Oriental possessions are beginning to recognise the
execrable nature of their bargain along the banks of
the Indus ; they perceive that since the period of its
invasion, namely, for three whole years, Sinde has
been nothing better than a maelstrom to our Indian
treasures; that for three years it has been sucking
in rupees at the rate of a million and a half pounds
annually ; that during those three lamentable years
it has required an outlay of between 3,000,0001. and
4,500,000/. per annum. The Government of Bombay
are at length becoming aware of their egregious
blundering—the troops stationed upon the Indus are
to be diminished by a withdrawal of 7,000 soldiers.
Yet, alas 1" they continue, " there is scarcely any
substantial cause for self-gratulation. The Hydra's
head is scarcely lopped off, when another
starts from the bleeding cicatrice. Eight thousand
men are scarcely removed from their expensive quar-
ters upon the Indus to their original position in
Bengal, when nine thousand are absolutely imported
to Belooch. Still there is to be a reduction in our
Sinde expenditure notwithstanding. But such a :e-
-duction! We are no longer to be annually drained
of a cool million and a half. No ; but we are still
to be out of pocket every year just one million
sterling."

There is something positively amusing in this
dogmatical manner of arriving at conclusions. It is
about as comprehensible and satisfactory as the final
opinion entertained by the drunken Mr. WACRFORD
SQUEERS, when musing over his plight in the station-
house :—" A double L, all—everything, a cobler's
weapon. U, r, up, adverb, not down. S, o, v, double
E, R, s, Squeers, noun substantive; total, all up with
Squeers." Not one jot less preposterous is the mode of
drawing inferences adopted by the advocates for the
evacuation of Sinde. There is no raising of hypotheses
in their consideration of the question. There is merely
A dogged, blundering misstatement of facts.
Nevertheless, it may be insisted, those facts and
those arguments are many of them taken from the
Parliamentary returns. The perpetual stress laid upon
data derived from these official sources would lead one
to imagine that there must be some very prevalent
and very popular superstition as to the infallibility
of Parliamentary returns, than which superstition
nothing could be more frivolous. Now, it is very
plainly stated by Major-General Sir WILLIAM
NAPIER, that the Parliamentary returns relating to
Slade are flawed with many egregious inaccuracies.
In 1843, those papers apportioned to Sir CHARLES
N Arten 6,137 more soldiers than were actually under
his direction. In 1844, 8,705,
.more ; and in 1846,
9,336 more. We shall i.ve this point, however,
notwithstanding the facilityw it
.affords, us for worsting
meat of Sinde.
those who are so strangely
the purpose of directing Faire
de
counter-assertions of Pg-shall afro:do for the abandon-
particular attention to the
waive the point for
~,
.11:Ir WILLIAM NAPIER. " Sir
CHARLES NAPIER
" has
~ paid all the ex-
ft. . And yet we . are
penses of the cir:a government."
positively assv.red that SinHdrne is virtually. a mill-stone
about the neck of the "British Lion" in the
East ! *Verily, the millstones
into bladders! Sir CHARLES NAE 4 are expanding
a has, moreover,

paid " the cost of many great public works of a per-
manent nature." Still we must believe that Sinde is
a most costly appendage! Besides this, Sir CHARLES
has supported " a police of 2,400 men, 1,000 being
cavalry, out of the revenues of Sinde." So much
for the burden of this new conquest ; so much
for the extravagant disbursements required annually
for the continuance of British authority along the
banks of the Indus. But what is the reverse calcula-
tion advanced by the historian of the Peninsula ?
Why, it is to the effect that Sir CHARLES NArna has
paid into the general treasury the following perio-
dical surplus :—For 1844, 2,700/. ; for 1845, nearly
200,000/. ;: for 1846, 310,0001. And it is antici-
pated that on the conclusion of the ensuing year,
ending in April, a surplus of somewhere about
360,000/. will be forthcoming. So much for the
truthfulness and the precision of the depreciatory of
Sinde. Their figures are as vapoury and fluctuating
as an ignis fatuus ; their picture of Sinde is as un-
real and visionary as thel pictures disclosed by
the Fata Morgana. Instead of a province calculated
to exhaust the exchequer of British India, we dis-
cover in Sinde a province, which, within a few
months of its occupation, is capable of supporting its
own institutions. Instead of requiring a payment
of her expenses, the Government of Bombay is
considerably indebted to its new territories for
its affording support to an extensive civil de-
partment and a numerous police. In simple terms,
the deficiency of from 3,000,0001. to 4,500,0001., is
transformed into a surplus of 512,700/.1 After con-
quering the country of Sinde by military stratagies
and perspnal prowess, Sir CHARLES NAPIER has had
to conquer the opinions of his countrymen by the
internal administration of the territory with which his
name is so honourably and brilliantly associated.

We return to the subject of reducing the duty on
tea, in consequence of a deputation-from the London
Association, formed for the accomplishment of this
object, having last week waited upon the Premier to
represent the existing state of our commerce with
China, and the benefits to be derived from a sensible
diminution of the duty upon one of the chief articles
of consumption in this country. Our anxiety to
enforce the importance of this matter continues un-
abated, and we feel assured that a Free-trade Govern-
ment will not be found hesitating to give their sanc-
tion to the fiscal modification respecting the import of
teas, and in preference, we should hope, to a reduction
of duty upon any other article, so soon as the
state of the revenue will justify the recommendation.
The hopeful condition of the revenue, as recently in-
dicated by what has been officially laid before the
public, serves to enliven our hope that the national
exchequer will, without any considerable interval, be
so far invigorated, that the large deficiency which
must, in the first instance, attend a relaxation of the
duty to the extent desired, could, with a due regard
to public credit, be safely encountered.
There are some people who have been arguing that
any approximation to unrestricted commerce in tea
would not benefit the consumer, but only the grower,
for that the increased demand which would follow the
reduction of the duty, would only serve to enhance
the price in China. This is an exploded
dogma of the old school of political economists, whose
principles are being in rapid succession almost daily
consigned "to the tomb of the Capulets." It is pos-
sible, and natural, that where there is a sudden de-
mand, and only a limited supply of any article, that
the effect would be as indicated by these wiseacres,
but then it would be only temporary. The resources
of nature and the energies of man soon regulate
production by consumption, to the reciprocal benefit
of all parties interested in any particular branch of
commerce. But these sudden demands are of rare
occurrence. Not only, however, is a well-regu-
lated commerce antagonistical, generally speaking,
to inequality between demand and supply, but
laws affecting staple commodities, and in respect
to which a most extensive trade is carried on, are not
hastily repealed in a country whose commerce is in a
highly artificial state ; and the thousands of miles
that lie between China and England imposes another
salutary check against the existence of those com-
mercial irregularities, on the assumption of which it
is contended that a reduction in the duties leviable
upon tea would not advantage the consumer. The
best practical answer to be given to the ridiculous
apprehension entertained that China will be unable to
provide for our increased demand for tea, should the
duty be considerably diminished, is furnished, as Sir
GEORGE LARPENT aptly observed to Lord- JOHN
RUSSELL, by the Custom-house returns, which " show
that while the consumption in this country had in-
creased from 5,000,0001b5. to 50,000,0001b5., the price
in China, so far from being raised, was at the present
moment rather lower than at the period when our
imports of tea only amounted to about 5,000,0001b5.
annually." It appears, moreover, that in years when
the trade has doubled itself, and when there has been
an extensive demand for any peculiar variety of teas
our demands have been readily met, without any
advance in prices. Looking at the vast expanse of
the Chinese empire, its variety of climate, its amazing
population of four hundred millions (equal to one
twenty-fifth of the supposed population of the whole
earth), to the activity, intelligence, and indefatigable
industry of the inhabitants, it appears to us to be the
height of folly to assume—in opposition, too, to our
actual experience—that China would be unable to
produce tea in the quantity we should desire, under
the auspices of an amended tariff. We rejoice that
this subject is to receive " the fullest consideration of
her MAJESTY'S Government." Upon the moral and
commercial benefits that would accrue, if the
duty were to be only ls. per lb., we
have frequently enlarged, and need not therefore re•
peat our observations. It is a lamentable fact that
the import returns are considerably below the quan-
tity of tea sold under that name in this country, so
that the poor must purchase a deleterious article, and
the honest dealer be defrauded. Another grievous
circumstance is, that, owing tathe dearness of tea, the
humbler classes are prevented from using a whole-
some beverage as a substitute for the noxious stimu-
lants to which they now have recourse. Let but the
revenue continue to prosper, and we shall soon see our
countrymen relieved of these impediments to their
social comfort and prosperity.

The general meeting of the Peers, Members of Par-
lament, and landed proprietors of Ireland has been
fixed for Thursday next, the 14th instant, and is
to be held at the Rotunda, in Dublin. Circulars have
been forwarded to all parts of the country by the
secretaries of the Reproductive Employment Com-
mittee, requesting the attendance of the parties to
whom they are sent, and that they should commu-
nicate the contents to the several landlords in the
neighbourhood, and urge their attendance also at the
proposed meeting, admission to which can only he
obtained by tickets. By a very proper resolution of
the committee the proceedings are to be confined
exclusively to the consideration of the social condition
of the country, and all extraneous topics and party
politics are to be strictly excluded. We do not,
however, coincide in another determination that has
been arrived at. It has been decided that the public
press is to be excluded, and that no part of the pro-
ceedings is to be published except the resolutions
agreed to and the names of the parties who may
attend. Now this we think a most injudicious course.
The great value of such a meeting is the full publicity,
the extensive circulation that may be afforded to the
sentiments of the several speakers. A very small
proportion only of those interested in the land will
be able to attend ; many will be compelled to remain
at home, attending to the pressing wants and im-
perative necessities of the poor on their own and the
neighbouring estates, while many others will not feel
themselves justified in expending anything that could
possibly be avoided, and which they would regard as
wantonly abstracted from the exigencies of the suffer-
ing poor. All such persons would anxiously look for,
and would be entitled to receive, a full and copious
report of all that may take place. The very differ-
ences of opinion may lead to something beneficial ;
but that is to be withheld, and the advantages of the
general assembly is to be restricted to the compara-
tively small number who may be enabled to attend
on the occasion. This is not as it should be, and we
trust that an alteration will take place that will give
the public generally full information. The meeting
is not solely one for conference and discussion ;
elaborate preparation has been made, the very reso-
lutions that are to be proposed have been already
prepared and circulated throughout the country, and
their adoption or rejection will be of little use unless