The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-06 00:00:00

No. 16,942. LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING
SU N7 JANUARY 6, 1847.

SHE BRITISH and FOREIGN INSTITUTE
enters on its fifth year hi 1847 ; and Members joining it at the
present time will have the advantage of the full Session of the
Soirees, Lectures, Conversazione, and Discussions, which will com-
mence on FRIDAY, January 21, and be continued on the Friday Even-
ings of each week from January to June.
The Club attached to the Institute is now ready for the reception
of New Members, and particulars of each may be had at 13, George-
street, Hanover-square.
JAMES S. BUCKINGHAM, Resident Director.

BRITISH ASSOCIA:
EXTREME DISTRESS
IRELAND and SCOTLAND.

.TION for the RELIEF of
In the REMOTE PARISHES of

ITT£E.
Robert Hanbury, Esq.
Thomson Hanley, jun., Esq.
Henry Kingscote, Esq.
Samuel Jones Loyd, Esq,
W. G. Prescott, Esq.
Hon. Stephen Spring' Rice/
Baron Lionel Rothschild
Abel Smith, Esq., ALP.

Right Hon. Lord Mayor
Thomas Baring, Esq.
Henry Barnewall, Esq.
Charles James Bevan, Esq
F. Carleton, Esq.
J. J. Cummins, Esq.
Itaikes Currie, Esq., M.P.
Samuel Gurney, Esq.
G. R. Smith, Esq
With power to add to their number,
Information having been received of the most distressing chafe
ter, and of undoubted credibility, of the rapid progress of famine and
utter destitution in many remote parishes of Ireland and Scotland, he
which there are but few families wile ran be considered as the resi-
dent gentry, and who are therefore exposed to urgent and overpow-
ering demands for the smallest supplies of the necessaries of life by
the famishing population, to an extent far exceeding any means
within their power—it has been determined, in dependence upon
God's blessing, to form a Committee in London for the purpose of
aiding the efforts made to relieve the multitudes who are suffering
under the present awful calamity.
The Committee propose to apply the Subscriptions that may be in-
trusted to their care, either, in sending supplies of food to Ireland
and Scotland, or in such other manner as may secure a conscientious
and faithful administration of the funds to the relief of the most ne-
cessitous and the most deserving, in strict conformity with the rules
which shall be laid down by the London Committee.
The relief proposed will be afforded by the distribution of food,
clothing, and fuel, but in no cases shall money be givers to the par-
ties relieved.
The sick and infirm, " the fatherless children and widows," who,
alas, constitute a very numerous class of the sufferers, and who are
in a great degree beyond the reach of the Government plans of relief,
will be the principal objects to which this Committee will direct as-
sistance to be given. Should it be in any case practicable, some re-
turn in work, of an agricultural or other generally useful nature, will
be requil from the individuals relieved.
The'Cornmittee abstain from pressing their application by introduc-
ing extracts from the distressing communications which they have
received; the appalling nature of the visitation with which it has
pleased God to afflict so large a portion of our fellow-subjects is now
matter of public notoriely, and to enlarge upon it would be needless.
They prefer to act upon the strong conviction that there are a large
number of benevolent persons fully acquainted with the distress, and
ready to bestow their bounty whenever a channel is presented to
them through which it may be applied, and secured as far as possible
from the danger of being abused.
Persons feeling a peculiar interest in any particular districts in
either Ireland or Scotland, can direct that their contributions should
be applied to the relief of such districts, which will be strictly ob-
served by the Committee.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
Her Most Gracious Majesty Tfiß QUEEN £2,000 0 0
His Royal Highness PRINCE ALBERT • • 500 0 0
Her Royal Highness the DUCHESS of GLOU-
CESTER • • .• .. 200 0 0
The Duke of Devonshire .. 1,000 0 0
Messrs. Baring, Brothers, and Co. • • .. 1,000 0 0
Messrs. Jones Loyd and Co, .. .. 1,000 0 0
Messrs. Overend, Gurney, and Co. • • .. 1,000 0 0
Messrs. Rothschild and Co. .. 1,000 0 0
Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Smith • • .. 1,000 0 0
Messrs. Truman, Hanbury, Buxton, and Co.. 1,000 0 0
Right Hon. Lord John Russell, M.P. .. 300 0 0
Bight Hon. Sir G. Grey, Bart., M.P. .. .. 200 0 0
Right Hon. Sir C. Wood,Tßart., M.P. .. 200 0 0
Messrs. Prescott, Grote, and Co. •• 290 0 0
Messrs. Roberts, Curtis, and co. .. 200 0 0
Messrs Jones, Brothers 200 0 0
200 0
Right Hon. Sir R. Peel • • • • .. ..
Messrs. Fruhling and Goschen .. 200 0 0
Messrs. Schunk,Souchay, and Co. • • .. 200 0 0
James Bruce, Esq. •150 0 0
E. C. Buxton, Esq. (100/. Scotland) • • •. 150 0 0
Henry Kingscote, Esq. .. • • .• 150 0 0
Right Hon. the Lord Mayor • • •• 100 0 0
Francis Carleton, Esq. • • .. .. 100 0 0
B. M. Willcox, Esq. .. .. 100 0 0
A. Anderson, Esq. .. 100 0 0
Mrs. Marshall, Halstead • • • .. 100 0 0
Laurence, Cazenove, and Co. • • .. .. 100 0 0
David Salomans, Esq. • • .. .. 100 0 0
W. A. and N. Wilkinson .. 100 0 0
H. Sillem, Son, and Co. •• •• •• 100 0 0
J. C. Lemme, Esq. • . •. .. 100 0 0
The Hon. Stephen Spring Rice .• .. 50 0 0
C. E. Trevelyan, Esq. .. •• 50 0 0
H. 11. • • - .. • . .. • . 50 0 0
Sir John Easthope, Bart., M.P. •• •• 50 0 0
W. 11. Forman, E5q......... 50 0 0
Messrs. Kreutler and Mieville 50 0 0
Bishop of Hereford . • 50 0 0
Joseph Meyer Monteflore, Esq. .. • . 40 0 0
George Grey, Esq., Stockwell Park • • .• 21 0 0
James J. Cummins- Esq., Brixton .• 21 0 0
Messrs. Sharpe and Wilkins •• •• .. 20 0 0
Louis Lucas, Esq. .. 20 0 0
Dr. Graham, Epsom .. • • .. .. 15 0 0
M. Field and Co. .. • • • • • • 10 10 0
Rostock and Sons • • .. • . 10 10 0
8. J. Waley, Esq. 10 10 0
T. Jones, Esq. •• • • • • • • 10 10 0
11. Grisewood, Esq, •• •• •• 111 10 0
S. B. Worms, • • • • • • • • 10 10 0
Benjamin Cohen, Esq, • • • • .. 10 0 0
T. 11. Holbert, Esq. • • • • • • " 10 0 0
The Viscount Fielding • • • • • • • • 53 0
Major Straith • • • • • • • . • 50 0
Messrs. Cummins and Litchfield • • .. 50 0
Charles Cook, Esq., South Lambeth • • .. 50 0
Children and Servants of a Family in the
Country • • • • • • • • .. .• 5 4 6
Octavius Browne, Esq., Brixton •• • • 3 0 0
A powerful iron steamer will immeciately be sent with supplies of
food, &c., to Ireland ; and should any person be inclined to contri-
bute clothing, flannel, blankets, &c., and will Inform the Committee
of their kind intention, immediate steps will be taken to forward the
same by the above vessel, which vessel, it is to be hoped, will be
dispatched in the course of this week, or very early in the ensuing
week.
Subscriptions received at all the Bankers.
Committee-room, South Sea House, Jan. 6, 1847.

THE PAST YEAR AND THE PRESENT
YEAR.—A DIALOGUE.
On last New Year's evening, the past year and present
Shook hands, and oonvers'd in a style rather pleasant.
" How d'ye ? said the Old Year, addressing tha New ;
" Well, I'm nicely, I thank you, old friend, how are you?"
Thus awhile did they chat, and, before they had done,
They touch'd on the projects of MOSES and SON.
" I have often felt proud (said the Year that is past),
When a glance on the warehouse of MOSES I east;
For this vast speculation—this trading domain—
Open'd all its vast premises during my reign.
Whenever I look at this mercantile throne
I rejoice that my honours will rival your own."
" Stop! stop ! (said the Present Year), talk not so fast,
I'll prove that the present shall rival the past.
Although in your mayoralty' much has been done
By thoie wonderful tradesmen, E. MOSES and SON,
Don't suppose for one instant that less will appear
At MOSES and SON'S in the present new year.
ON !ON is the maxim on which they would fix,
And thus will they rival the year Forty-six.
The year Forty-seven, long. long ere it closes
Will add a fresh wreath to the laurel of MOSES.

ONE WORD OF THANKS.
On an annual occasion like this we would thank
Our numberless patrons, whatever their rank ;
Our warmest acknowledgments let us express,
Sinco the Forty-six has display'd such success;
And let us make promise that much shall be done,
As a public return by E .MOSES and SON.
LIST OF PRICES.
DEADY MADE.

S a. d
Beaver TagHonig, from .....
Chesterfields and Co4ringtons .. 0 10 6
Pashas, D'Orsays, and Chesterfields, and every description
of whiter coats •• .• .... • • .... •• • 1 5 0
Boys' Winter Coats, in every style and make ............ 0 8 6
Tweed Trousers, lined •••• • • • • • •
Doeskin..... ................... .......... • • .... 010 6
Dress C0at5......... •••..•• • • • •
• • • •• ........ • •

cinar POPULAR LITERATURE.
This day is published,
THE LIFE OF DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON,
by the Rev. J. F RUSSELL, 8.C.L., Enfield. Foolscap
Sow, cloth, 4s. Gd., or In handsome half morocco, Gs., being Vol. IT.
of Burns' " Select Library," a new and cheap series of instructive
and entertaining books for` e
oneral use, lending libraries, prizes, &c.e.
l. V. will be
A POPULAR HISTORY OF THE FRENCH
REVOLUTION. Price ss.
Full prosisectusas may be had on application.
London : James Burns, 17, Portman-street.

NOTICE is hereby given, that the Trustees of
the roor of the Parish of Saint Leonard, Shereditch, will
meet in the Vestry-room at SilOtett,tCH Church, on THURSDAY, the
14th day of January, 1847, to receive Proposals and Contract for
the necessary Lights, Pipes, and Lighting the recently-erected Fever
Hospital, at Shoreditch Workhouse, with Gas, agreeably to Particu-
lars and Specifications to he teen at the Workhouse. The Trustees
de not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any other Tender.
Dated this Gth day of January, 1i47.

JOHN WARE, Clerk.

RIBBLE NAVIGATION-
Notice Is hereby given, that the HALF-YEARLY GENE-
RAL MEETING of the RIIIBLE NAVIGATION COMPANY. wlil
be held at their Office, Chapel Walks, in Preston, in the county of
Lancaster, on THURSDAY, the 28th day of January instant, at Ele-
ven o'clock in the Forenoon

E. lIAYDOCK,
Secretary to the said Company
Preston Ribble Navigation Office, Jan. 1, 1847.

GOOD PIANOFORTES, CHEAP.
The large and valuable STOCK of PIANOFORTES manu-
factured by ZEITTEI4 and Co , is now SELLING OFF, at No. 4,
New Cavendish-street, Portland-place, in consequence of a dissolu-
tion of partnership. The instruments, consisting of mahogany and
rosewood ;;rands, semi-grands, cabinets, cottages, and piccolos, are
made with the patent sounding-board, metallic plate, check action,
and all the latest improvements. Tho Pianofortes made by Zcitter
and Co. have always enjoyed a preference among the nobility and
gentry, haying been honoured with the patronage of her Majesty
the Queen, the Duchess of Sutherland, &c. The peculiar construc-
tion of the sounding-board ensures their greater durability, and their
fine time is well known. Parties desirous of possessing one of these
superior instruments may now purchase the same on very advanta-
geous terms. Grands, heretofore from 120 to 145 guineas, are now
selling at from 50/. to 701., and others in proportion.
N.B The premises, No. 5, have been recently closed.

THE IRON TRADE.

IMPORTANT MEKTING OF THE IRONMAS
TERS OF SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE.

TUESDAY EVENING.—SeIdom has there
been so much speculation relative to the probable issue
of any of our quarterly meetings of the iron trade as has
been indulged in, during the last few weeks, with respect
to the forthcoming meetings. Some persons well
acquainted with the trade, and fully aware of the daily
increasing demand for foreign and home consumption,
have held a rise of prices to be the inevitable consequence
of this improved state of things ; while others, equ.llly
well informed of the position of our manufacturingin-
terest with respect to foreign competition in made
goods, viewed a rise as injurious and not likely to be
forced by the ironmasters, whose interests are in various
respects intimately bound up with a general healthy
state of commerce, rather than an unsound prosperity of
one particular branch of trade in which they may be
engaged. The meeting of ironmasters held to day, at
the Swan Hotel, Wolverhampton, was what is called the
private preliminary meeting of the trade, at a hich the
prices for the ensuing quarter are :hailed, and on this
occasion was most numerously attended. Amongst
those present were the principals or representatives of
the following firms :—Messrs, P. Williams and Co.,
Bagnall and Sons, the Chillington Iron Company, John
Bradley and Co., the New British Iron Company, by
Mr. Routh, of London ; Mr. William Mathews, for the
Patent Galvanised Company ; Cochrane and Co.. Bent
and Barrs, Evers and Co., M. and W. Graa.brook, J.
Hunt and Co., Addanbrook and Co., the Tividale Com-
pany, by Mr. B. Best, Thornecroft and Co., B. Williams
and Co., Knight and Co., Page and Co., B. Gibbons, D,
Jones, W. Haden, Walter Williams, Mr. Ward, &c.
Mr. Grasobrook, Esq., presided as chairman, and the
question of the prices for the ensuing quarter having
been discussed, it was unanimou-ly resolved that the
present prices should be maintained, but no advance to
be required. It was stated on all hands that the demand
is good, but not sufficient to justify any attempt at au
advance. Indeed, I may go so far.as to say that it was
the opinion of the meeting that if lltrdeclared an ad-
vance there would be a difficulty in maintaining it, ex-
clusive of the confusion which it would cause in the
trade. The prices, therefore, stand thus for the ensuing
quarter:-101. for bar iron and rods, 10Z 10s. for hoops,
and 11/. 10s. for single sheets ; for pig iron from Si. to
5/. 10s. So far, therefore, as this important district is
concerned, the expectations of an advance will not be
realised. Not only by some in this locality has an ad-
vance been anticipated, but I find the circulars issued
within the last few days by the leading Scotch and
London houses speak in expectation of a rise. One
dated Dec. 31, front the house of Mr. Robert Moate, of
Broad-street, London, gives the following notice of the
trade during the past year, and its future prospects:—
" The price of rails in January last was 121. 10s.
to 13/., at which rate about 30,000 tons were sold.
From the slight decrease in the demand, and the forced
sales of speculations, the price fell from 1/. lOs. to 2/.,
until it reached 91. ss. to 91. 10s., at which rate about
10,000 tons changed hands. It recovered about 10s., at
which a sale of 20,000 tons for America was reported,
since which the price has ruled 9/. 10s. to 9/. 158. free on
board. Sales, some of which, to a great extent, are
continually occurring at those rates, and makers gene-
rally are full of orders. The price is expected to
go high, from this as well as other causes, especially
the difficulty of procuring coal, and the present scarcity
of ore."

TFhroempraicGeslatsog-odwayhomuas dated Jan. 2
ye,
bequoted7 6
3.,
tte
0h736,
swr .
6idt.e write:—
mixed numbers. Makers and holders are now very
confident of high prices, as the demand from the Con-
tinent and America is expected to be fully equal to that
of last year, while the consumption in Scotland will be
increased. as there are two new malleable iron-works,
which have already commenced, and will soon be in full
operation." It is therefore evident that a rise has been
anticipated, and I am glad to be able thus early to an-
nounce the final decision of the trade in this district upon
the subject.

Ditto, Halves, 151. 55.-Ayr and Galloway, 21.-Caledonian,
301.-Ditto, New, 2/. 165.-Caledonian and Dumbartonshire,
2'. 55.-Clydesdale Junction, 391. 55.-Deeside, 2L 165.-
Direct Northern, 21. 175.-Dunblane, Doune, and Callender,
1/. 155.-Dundee and Arbroath, 45/. ex new-Ditto, New,
344-Ditto, New, No. 2, 291.-Dundee and Perth, 271. 17s.
Gd.-Ditto, New, 14/. 55.-Eastern Counties, 23/. 55.-Ditto,
York Extension, 3/. 12s. 6d.-East of Fife, 2/. 17s. '6d.-
Edinburgh and Bathgate, 31.-Edinburgh and Glasgow, 77/.
-Ditto, Halves, 211.-Ditto, Quarters, 19/. 10s.-Edinburgh,
Leith, and Granton, 211.-Ditto, Preference, 21/. 12s. 6d. -
Edinburgh and Northern, 151. ss. ex new-Ditto, New, 5/.
ls.-Ditto, Newport, 61. 7s. ex new-Ditto, ditto, New, 3/.
13s. 0.-Edinburgh and Perth, 21.-Glasgow and Ayrshire,
69/.-Ditto, New Stock, 38/. 155.-Ditto, Quarters, 171. 7s
6,1-Ditto, Halves, 6/.-Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle,
61. 10s.-Glasgow and Dundee Junction, 1/. 165.-Glasgow
and Garnkirk, 411.-Glasgow General Terminus, 121.-Glas-
gow and Greenock, 171.-Ditto, New, 81. 10s.-Ditto, Pre-
ference. 8/. 55.-Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, 4/.
17s. 6d.-Great North of England, 235/. -Great North ot
Scotland, 2/. 175.-Great Western, 1261.-London and York,
2/. 155.-11anchester and Leed.,, 1051.-Midland and Eastern

ties, 15s.—Newcastle and Berwick, 351.—North British,
6d.—Ditto, Halves, 151. 10s.—Ditto, Thirds, 3/. 18s.

—Ditto, Quarters, 3/. 12s.—Ditto, ditto, New, scrip, 11. 12s.
—Ditto, Fifths, 71.—Scottish Central, 211. 17s. 6d.—Scottish
Grand Junction, 1/. 7s.—Scottish Midland, 141. 17s. 6d.—
Stirling and Dunfermline, 31. 18s.—Stirling and Midland, 21.
10s...—Strathern Junction, 41.—Wishaw and Coltness, 491.

—York and Newcastle, 38/. ex new—Ditto, New, 157. ss.
Ditto, Preference, 71. 12s. 6d.—Direct Bombay and Madras,
ss. 3d.—East Indian, 11s. 9d.—Great North of India, ss.
—Great Southern of Madras, ss.—Madras, Nellore, and
Arcot, 3s. 3d.

THE QUARTER'S REVENUE.
(From the Morning Papers of this day.)
TIMES.—The national income has been so steadily
increasing during the last four or five years, that we
now look for a surplus as a matter of course. The re-
senue table for the year and quarter ending; the sth of
January, 1847, which we publish this itiorning, does
not disappoint the expectation. Compared with similar
periods calculated to the sth of January, 1846, it shows
an increase of 19,8731. on the quarter, and 13,0321. on
the year. These figures, however, du not present the
most favourable view of the matter, inasmuch a,.• the%
give only the net total, after deducting a decrease
of 1,015,2251, consisting chiefly of repayments of
advances, and of a fatting off in the Chinese tr:
hate, which are not included in the general estimates.
statement of the ordinary revenue is very nattult
more brilliant, and shows an increase of 454,6621. t tl`
the quarter, and 1,028,257/. on the year. In fact,
there is an advance on the year in every item, ex-
cept Stamps, and on the quarter in all except Stamps
and miscellaneous receipts. The decrease under these
heads is not large, and, with respect to one of them, is
easily accounted for by the diminution of railway entcr-
ptiie. The principal increase is in the Customs, Excise,
and Property-tax :in the first, 205,6591. and 159,932/.
for the year and quarter respectively ; in the second,
344,138/. and 269,3181. ; and in the third, 363,821/. and
63,234/. We observe that in the Post-office also there is
an advance of 85,0001. on the year, and 14,0001. on the
quarter. It has been usual to consider the collections of
the Excise as the surest test of the general prosperity
of the people. When the produce of this department
of taxation exceeds the average of former years, we
say that the country is in a flourishing condition.
If the amount is less; we suspect the existence of
distress. Without questioning the general accuracy
of this conclusion, we are forced to withhold
our reliance upon it at the present moment. We have
only to look around us, and observe the universal poverty
that depresses the labouring classes, in order to be con-
vinced of the fallacy of this surplus test. Exciseable
articles, no doubt, have been sold to a much larger
amount than in the end of the year 1845; but we must
not forget that the intervening twelve months have pro-
duced between 300,000 and 400,000 more mouths to
consume them. The main fact, however, is the co-
existence of distress among the people and prosperity in
the Excise revenue:—an apparent contradiction, which
proves that the prevailing idea we have mentioned is at
best but an unsafe opinion. We can much more safely
congratulate the free-trade party on the success of their
commercial and financial measures, as displayed in the
present and several former revenue tables. Notwith-
standing the continual reduction and repeal of Cus-
toms' duties from the year 1842 down to the last ses-
sion of Parliament, the amount of revenue from that
source has never been diminished. In 1842 the great
scheme of economical reform commenced, and we
think that a sufficient apace of time has since
elapsed to afford a fair opportunity for judging of its
merits. In the interval, no less than 503 articles have
been entirely released from duty, and 727 considerably
relieved; yet the national income remains unaffected. It
may be said, and not without truth, that the income-tax
is the stream supplying the drain from other sources.
This would be a very proper remark, and we should be
the first to make it, if we were examining the general,
balance between income and expenditure, and investi-
gating the causes of an apparently flourishing surplus.
But this is not now the point. The question is con-
cerning the merits of the more liberal commercial policy
lately pursued by this country, as they appear in the
results. The object proposed in remodelling the old
scheme of taxation was chiefly to promote the comfort
and happiness of the middle classes; and it was expected
that the relaxation or abandonment of the old duties
would, by making the common articles of food and
clothing cheaper, increase their consumption, and thereby
keep up the revenue to its former amount. If it be too
much to say that they are now accomplished, it is at
least allowable to believe that their ultimate success is

certain.
CHRONICLE.—The revenue returns for the year
and the quarter ending the sth instant, published last
night, exhibit in every respect a most satisfactory com-
parison with the corresponding returns of last year. So
far, therefore, as these returns are to be taken as indi-
cative of the actual condition of the finances of the
country, they exhibit nothing calculated in any way to
remove the gloomy forebodings which are entertained as
to the ultimate effect of the extraordinary expenditure
which has for some months been going on in Ireland,
and which it would appear we must lay our account to
see still much extended. But though it be quite true
that, as far as the Exchequer itself is concerned at the
moment, it matters little from what sources its receipts
are derived so that they really come, still, when we re-
gard the revenue accounts as indicative of the condition
of the country—as evidence of the extent of business
which has been done—and of the power which the
people have had to command the necessaries, comforts,
and luxuries of life; and, further, when we are desirous
to form an opinion as to the probable prosperity
of the coming quarter's revenue—fur all these
purpose it becomes matter of the highest im-
portance that we should carefully distinguish
wherein lies the increase, and wherein the decrease.
Customs, Excise, Taxes, Property- tax, and Post-office
the best tests of the state of trade, and of a thriving con-
dition of the country—are the items on each of which a
very considerable increase has taken place; while, on the
other hand, China money, Irnprest and other money,
Repayment of advances, and Stamps are the items which
exhibit a falling off in the present year. These items of
themselves prove nothing as to the general condition of
the country or of commerce, if we except the last-men-
tioned—stamps. And with respect to this the explana
tion is perfectly satisfactory. In 1845 the immense
number of railway projects led to an unusual use of
stamps in the various deeds under which the companies
were formed, which fortunately have not been required
in the present year. It is a fact, moreover, which it is
essential to bear in mind, that the items of increase are
the regular and substantial sources on which the revenue
relies; while the items of decrease, with the exception of
stamps, are all of a mere casual and accidental character.
In this view of the case we may also congratulate the
Chancellor, for though his present gain is very little, this
fact, as far as it goes, promises well for the future.
But as far as the Customs and Excise are concerned,
flattering as they appear in these accounts, they are even
much more so in reality when WQ bear in mind that the
accounts of the present year, on which so considerable
an increase is apparent, are the result, after the
numerous wise and well devised reductions in
the Customs tariff and Excise duties made by
Sir Robert Peel were in full operation. It is
indeed a pleasing task to be enabled to take such a
review of the past. We wish our anticipations of the
future were equally cheerful. But we cannot look
around at this time, and see the numerous causes which
must operate, in the current year, to depress the condi-
tion of the masses of the population; we cannot consider
the defective supply of cotton, which hinders full em-
ployment to the large and important classes engaged
immediately in that trade, and in those trades indirectly
dependent thereon; we cannot look at the high and still
rising price of provisions of every kind, . and of the cer-
tainty that large masses of the people will b. e able to do
little more than procure the bare necessaries of life at
such prices; we cannot look at the state of the foreign
exchanges and recognise therein an indication of the
critical condition in which our monetary interests stand,
notwithstanding the large amount of bullion in the Bank;
we cannot, moreover, view the financial difficulties of
France and other continental states, with which our
money market must sooner or later sympathise ; and,
lastly, we cannot reflect upon what Ireland now is, and
what Ireland unfortunately will be d
during the next
year ; we cannot glance at all these subjects and indulge
a hope that on the 6th of January, 1849, we shall have
so pleasing a duty to perform, in reviewing the revenue
for 1847, as we have now had in laying before our
readers the results of the past year.
HERALD.—Considering the tremendous difficulties
which lie before the Government and the country, in
dealing with the sufferings and the difficulties of Ireland,
it is a matter which ought to cause great thankfulness
that the state of the revenue in the year just closed is
probably the most satisfactory that has been exhibited
for a long series of years. We know not whether the
advocates of free trade, feeling some natural alarm for
the wholesome working of their measure, will attribute
the prosperous state of the revenue to their panacea.
Such a theory, if propounded, would be a most absurd
one. Two of the chief items of increase are, the Pro-
perty-tax, and Miscellaneous. How these branches of
receipt could be benefited by the free-trade measures
which came into operation in the autumn of last year,
is more, we apprehend, than any one can tell. The
simple truth is, that the country had righted itself before
the free-trade schemes were carried. How they will
affect the revenue, we shall better understand on the
sth of January, 1848. Another remarkable fact must
be noticed in the present account. It has been usual,
for many years past, to issue what are called" Deficiency
Bills"—i. e., Exchequer-bills to meet the charges on the
quarter, to such an extent as the public necessities re-
quired. That amount has usually been to yie extent of
several millions; and the item was of so invariablet an
occurrence, that these words were alwaysprinted,sesrco.
.
°
typed, as it were, at the foot of therxeverequeuer-b ill s
account
" The probable amount f E
re-
quired to meet the charge on the Consolidated Fund,
For
quarter ending" so and so. the first time for a long
period, that stereotyped line has become useless, and is
struck out ; and in lieu thereof we read, " Surplus of
revenue, after providing for the charges on the Consoli-
dated Fund, and for the Supply, in
it the quarter ended
January 5, 1847." This is a prodigious and most im-
portant change. To reduce tothe language of common
life, we may say that the nation, for many years past,
found itself, every Christmas, with an overdrawn bankers'
account ;—but now, after a long period of default, it
finds, on opening the year 1847, a balance of 1,365,455/,
at the bankers'. We repeat, that all this is most con
soling, in the view of the fearful calamities and diffi-
culties which overspread Ireland, and which wil.
inevitably call upon England for great exertions. With
such a prospect before us, we may be thankful that we
have both money in hand and a solid and ample credit
to appeal to, if necessary.

Dispatches were received yesterday at tho Colonial-
office, from tho Governor of New Zealand, and from
the Governor of Ceylon.