The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-26 00:00:00

in the revenue at the present moment. On this sub-
ject the National as the following article :
" What has been the influence of the general receipts
of the tariff of 1827 which the Government persisted in
maintaining? An augmentation of expenditure far
superior to the increase of the revenue. Compare, for
instance, the produce of the customs, forests, regis-
tration, and indirect taxes, with those of the Post-
office; and the inferiority of the latter will be at once
apparent. Still more, whilst the four imposts of which
we have just spoken give each year more considerable
profits to the Treasury, the service of the Post-office
alone does not follow that ascensional progress. On
the contrary, its expenses augment in the proportions of
60 per cent.; whereas the improvement in the receipts
is only 26 per cent., so that the Administration, in wish-
ing to remain stationary, retrogrades. But to what other
cause but the great elevation of the tariff can this result
be attributed? It is not, besides, a new fact in political
economy, as it has been constantly seen that excessive
taxes end in a diminution of receipts. France claims
the honour of having led the way in Europe in organiz-
ing a post-office service, but her imitators have singu-
larly gone beyond her. Everywhere a progress has
been made; we alone have stuck fast in the old path.
The following is the average postage at present prevail-
ing amongst the principal nations:—
England ... ... ..• uniform postage ... 10c.
Prussia ... 8 zones ... 26
Spain ... ... ... uniform ... 27
United States ... 3 zones 29
Sardinia ... 7 zones ••• 34
Austria ••• .•• 2 z 'TIPS •• • ... 34
Russia ... •. • uniform ••• ... 40

Franco ..• 11 zones (tariff of 1827) 42
This comparative table shows that Franco is not even on
a level with the powers which she has left so far behind
her in the career of political reforms. The Government
of July has shown less liberality than Austria and Prus-
sia. The tariff of 1827 has not only the effect of placing
us in a state of inferiority relative to the rest of the
world, but it places us on a strange contradiction with
ourselves. Few persons are aware that during the last
century and a half we have actually retrograded in postal
matters. According to the tariff of 1673, the postage of
a single letter was fixed, according to the di- tance, at
from loc. to 25c.; in 1705, at from 15c. to 50c.; in 1759,
at from 20c. to 70c. The revolution took place, and in
1798 a new tariff, having for basis a single letter, weigh-
ing a quarter of an ounce (71 gr.), and e,tabiishing
twelve zones, fixes the postage at from 20c. to 75c. The
year after the z,,nes were reduced to four, and a-J, post-
age nig( d from 50c. to If. 25c. In the year IV. the
Council of Five Hundred, ' considering that it is as
important for the good of the service as for the interest
of the Treasury to re establish an equilibrium between
the receipts and expenses of the Post-office,' declared
that something ought to be done at once, and adopted
the following resolution. The postage was raised as
follows :

Ist distance, from 10 sous to 2f. 20 sous.
2d 9/ 15 sf.
3d 7, lf. to 7f. 10 sous.
4th If. 5 sous to 10f.
This was the beau ideal of the fiscal theory, and six
months after the falling off in the receipts was so enor-
mous that a new resolution was come to. The Council
of Five Hundred, considering that the service of the
Post-office presented a deficit in its receipts, compared
with its expenses, absolutely ruinous to the Treasury,
arid that it was as urgent as useful to ameliorate the pro-
ducts of this service, raised the weight of the single letter
from a quarter to a half ounce (15 gr. in place of 71 gr.),
and reduced the postage in this way:--
Ist distance, 50 leagues, from 2f. 10 sous to 6 sous.
2d „ 100 sf. to 10 „
3d „ 150 /9 7f. 50 sous to 14 „
4th „ above „ 10f. to 18 „
From that period to 1827 we could mention other
charges, but all have rather referred to new classifica-
tions of distance than any serious changes in the post-
age. To sum up, the tariff has been changed eight
times from 1791 to 1827, and if any one wishes to ob-
serve the progress realised, not only since the end of the
18th century, but since the edict of 1673, he must com-
pare the postage of a single letter sent to the greatest
distance (above 900 kilometres), under the empire of the
tariffs which have suceeded each other for the last 150
years:—

" According to the tariff of 1673, it would have cost 25c.
s, f, „ 1703 50c.
/I ff 7,
1759 70c.
f• 1791 f, 75c.
/t
„ year IV. ,•„ 90c.
„ year V. 75c.
If 2 f
~ „ year VIII. I, If. -
„ 1827 „ if. 20c.
Does not this simple comparison relieve us from the task
of dwelling longer on the necessity of reducing a
postage heavier not only than the tariff of the absolute
Governments, but even than all those hitherto imposed
on as ?"

Intelligence has been received from the Island of
Bourbon up to the 23d February. The financial
crisis had become aggravated, in consequence of
the bad weather, which had continued 35 days with-
out interruption, had compromised the sugar canes,
and completely destroyed the plantations of vivrieres.
There was an absolute want of specie ; the sums
paid out by the Treasury to the garrison were imme-
diately conveyed to India or the Archipelago for
the acquisition of rice and cattle. In consequence
of the rains, which had caused the rivers to overflow,
ruined cultivation, and interrupted all communications
for several days, the colony suffered most severely
from the want of provisions. This deplorable state
of things may be ascribed to many causes, but es-
pecially to the interruption of commercial relations
with Madagascar. Formerly the great portion of
rice and cattle required by the colony were oh-
tamed from that island by means of exchanges,
but at present they have to be procured from India,
where they have to be paid for in money. The
Colonial Council, which had been prorogued on ac-
count of the violence of its discussions, had resumed
its sittings. The Government had submitted to it
several drafts of decrees destined to assure the
execution of the law of Ju1y,1845, but the party of re-
sistance seemed disposed to reject that absolutely.
The question of delegation was expected to receive a
solution in the course of the month of March, but on
that matter, as on all others, the Colonial Council
was divided, without there being any hope that the
two parties would accept any means of conciliation.
M. GANNERON, the banker, died on Monday.
A letter from Toulon, of the 20th, says-
" There is at this moment a great bustle in our road-
stead, as the squadron under the command of the Prince
de Joinville is taking in its stores; and orders have been
given for it to be ready to sail by the 23d inst., but it is
not supposed that it will be ready before the end of the
month. It is reported here that the squadron is to pro-
ceed to the Levant, but this report stands in need of
confirmation. By an order of the Minister of War,
thirty Arab prisoners who are hero have just been set
at liberty."
The Three per Cents. closed on the Paris Bourse on Mon-
day at 78f. 10c. ; the Five per Cents., 115 f. 95c. ; the Or-
leans Railroad Shares, 1,233 f. 75c. ; Rouen, 947 f. 50c. ;
Havre, 641 f. 25e. ; Great Northern, 600 f. ; Avignon, 725 f. ;
Vierzon, 5821. 50c. ; Bordeaux, 507 f. 50c. ; Boulogne, 405 E ;
Basle, 187 f. 50c. ; Dieppe, 323 f. 75c.; Paris and Strasburg,
427 f. 50c. ; Tours and Nantes, 410 f. ; Paris and Lyons, 436 f.
25c. ; Lyons and Avignon, 4501. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 451 f.
25c. ; Belgian Two-and-a-Half per Cents., 53k.
MARSEILLES, MAY 20.-Marseilles and Avignon, 712 f.
50e. ; Northern, 5931. 75c.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, MAY 25.
Northern of France, 11%—Paris and Lyons, 54—Paris
and Orleans, 164—Paris and Rouen, 361 A—Paris and Stras-
bourg, I

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—The Queen and his
Royal Highness Prince Albert, accompanied by her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent and his Serene
Highness the Prince of Leiningen, and attended by the
Viscountess Canning, Lady Augusta Bruce, the lion.
Miss Stanley, the Marquis of Ormonde, the Hon. Cap
tain Gordon, and Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. C. B.
Phipps, honoured her Majesty's Theatre yesterday
evening with their presence. liar Majesty the Queen
Dowager, accompanied by their Serene Highnesses the
Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Saxe
Weimar, and attended by the Marchioness of Ormonde,
Earl Howe, the Baron Tezitzer, Le Comte de &test,
and the Hon. Captain Somerset, was also present. His
,
Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Constantine, accom-
panied by his Excellency the Russian Minister, also
honoured the theatre with his presence. His Imperial
Highness's suite comprised Admiral Lutke, Baron
Friedricks, Al. Haurowitch, and the Hon. Colonel Grey.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge was also
present. We also noticed the Duke of Wellington and
Marchioness of Douro, Prince Louis Napoleon and
suite, the Duke of Leeds, the Duke and Duchess of
Montrose, the Duke de Palmella, the Duchess of Suther-
land, the Duke and Duchess ofßedford, the Baroness
Brunnow and Mademoiselle Olga de Lechner, the Mar
quis and Marchioness of Clanricarde and Miss de
Bergh, the Marquis and Marchioness of Nortnanby, the
Marquis of Iluntley, the Marchioness of thandford, the
Marquis of Kildare, the Marquis and Marchioness of
Ailsa, the Earl of Falmouth, the Earl of Lonadale, the
Earl of Cardigan, the Countess of Cardigan, the Earl of
Munster, the Earl of Bective, Earl Grenville, his Excel-
lency the Hanoverian Minister, the Countess of Shan-
non, Viscount Canterbury, Viscount Clifden,, Lord
Blantyre, Lord and Lady Charles Wellesley, Lord, Lady.
and Miss Fitzroy Somerset, Lord Elpbinstone, Lord
er,am°Ys, Lady Colborne, Lady Byron, Lady Augusta
Baring, Lady Hume Campbell, M. de Berg, Lady Char-
lotte Denison, Lady Grant, Lady G. Seymour, Lords
G. and 0. Fitzgerald, Mr. and Lady Sandford, Sir Wil-
liam and Lady Fremantle, Sir F. and Lady Roe, the
Lord Mayor and Lady Carroll, General and Lady
Palmer, Sir H. Dundas, Sir Ralph and Lady Howard,
Sir John Mackenzie, Sir Felix Booth, Sir Thomas Hare,
Sir R. Vivian, Mr. Hubert de Burgh, Mr. Mountjoy '
Martin, M.P.' and Mrs, Martin, Hon, Mr. Lawless, Mr.
Packe, M.P., Hon. General Upton, Mr. Montague Gore,
ALP., the Attorney-General, Ma or Buckley, Captain
the Hon. J. Macdonald, Colonel I.Vildinan, Hon. G.
Byng, M. C. De Coudriaffsky, Sir W. M. Stanley, Sir
R. Gordon, the Count de Revel, Hon. St. John Mild-
may, &c.
_ _

0111 its leaf before the oak, a wet summer usually follows;
E OAK HAS W 0
._When the ash-tree opens
and when the oak-tree opens its leaf before the ash, a
dry summer usually follows. The oak is first this year.
—Marh Lane Expren,

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.
CITY, QUARTER TO THREE.
The sales of Cotton at Liverpool yesterday were 5,300
bales, and prices were firm. American ord. and mid.
sorts were quoted /id. per lb. higher than on Friday last,
and all other kinds were at extreme rates.—ln Shares
there was a further improvement. A good demand
existed for Midland, North Stafford, and York and
Newcastle.
The sale of Railway Shares yesterday, by Messrs. La-
mond and Co., was rather firmer; and the prices realised
show an improvement upon those of last sale. The
following are a few of the principal sales:—
East Indian ...
Manchester and Southampton 0 10 0
Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston 1 6 6
Great Northern ....... „.., ............. 2 2 0
Reading, Guildford, and Reigate 4 17 6
Newmarket and Cheaterford, Extension 2 1 0
North Staffordshire, New Scrip
Windsor, Staines, and South-Western 2 14 0
South Wales ... 6 17 6
Eastern Counties. York Extension......... 5 18 0
South Yorkshire, Doncaster, and G001e... 1 7 6
East Lancashire (Scrip)
Louvain ala Sambre
Eastern Counties

Corn still falls in the provinces as well as here, and
the advices from New York received this morning, al-
though but 3ne day later, intimate that holders of flour
were rather anxious to realise, and that freights were
low. As regards the latter circumstance, it necessarily
arises from the canals not having opened, but if holders
were anxious to realise before the supplies arrived, what
may we not expect when they are poured down to the
Atlantic seaboard, as some anticipated.
If the subjoined statement from the New Price Current
be correct, and no doubt there are plenty of similar
instances in other parts of the country, our home sup-
plies will be large yet. The writer observes:--
" It is estimated, that as soon as the arrivals com-
mence, which will be very shortly, from St. Petersburgh
and Canada, added to those known to be on the passage
from Odessa and the United States, &c., the impeets,
including flour, will not be less than equal to 100,000
quarters weekly. This is irrespective of the supplies in
the farmers' hands, which, Isom all we have been able
to learn, are quite adequate to meet our wants until the
harvest commences. It may be interesting to our readers
to know the very moderate views which some of the
farmers entertain as to a remunerative price for wheat;
for example, a gentleman farmer near Norwich, of the
name of Blake, has stored up in his granaries his
crops of wheat for the last seven years, and has deter-
mined not to sell until he can obtain 150 s. per
quarter. Another farmer, Mr. Plaxton, in Essex,
has three years' crop still for sale. or the in-
formation of farmers and speculators, and as a
caution to the millers and bakers, who literally buy
only from hand to mouth, we subjoin a statement of the
prices of grain in the famine year 1800, showing that
wheat fell in price, within one month, from 120 s. to 40s.
per quarter."
The table proves this clearly eaough, and we expect
that' many will "be wise in time," according to the
adage that a " bird in the hand is worth two in the
bush," and that a " nimble ninepence is better than a
slow shilling." We should think that even farmers
must be able tocalculate the loss of interest upon capital
locked up for seven years, and which by improvements
on the land, &c., might possibly have been increased
two-thirds in that time.
The ad vices received to-day from the Cape of Good
Hope to March 27, describe the measures about to be
taken by the new Governor as being vigorous, and
likely to bring the Kafirs to unconditional terms, and to
enforce the surrender of the stolen cattle, &c.
The English Funds have been firmer to-day, and the
settlements so far has not made them worse, although
the " options," up to the hour of our writing, have not
come off. Consols have been 87/ to I for present
transfer, and about 88 to for July. Exchequer-
bills have been par to 2s. premium. Bank Stock has
been firm at 189. The New Three-and-a-Quarter per
Cents. have been marked 88 to 87i-, and the Three per
Cents. 86i to t.
The Foreign Securities have been very quiet again.
Portuguese Four per Cents. are 33/ being flatter
again. Spanish Three per Cents. are not higher than
33i. Mexican Bonds have been steady at 20*. Dutch
Two-and-a- Half per Cents. have realised 58/ I.
Railway Shares have still rather a firm and improving
appearance, and the dullness of trade may throw more
surplus money int) the market.
BRIT ISII FUNDS. ONE CLOSING
O'CLOCK. PRICES.
Bulk Stock .. .. 149 189
Three per Cent. Reduced Annuities .. 86L 86%
three per Cent. Consols Annuities 87U % 87%
New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cent. Anns. 873, 3i 88 87% 87%
Long Annuities, Expire Jan. 5, 1860 .. 87, 9 9
India Bonds, 1,0001. .
Ditto, under 1,000/. .. 3 dis 2 p 2 p
Consols for May 27 .. 87143 G 871,
Exchequer Bills. 1 Itid. 2d.
2 p par
5001. . .... 4 1 p
Ditto, Small 6 3p
ONE
FOREIGN FUNDS. O'CLOCK.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent .. --
Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent .. 37%
Grenada, 1 per Cent .. .
Ditto, Deferred 314
Mexican Bonds, 1846, 5 per Cent .. 20% 201
Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent .. 33
Ditto, 4 per Cent .. ..
Ditto, for the Account ......333434 3354
Spanish Bonds, 5 per Cent .. .. 22 22
Ditto,s per Cent. '38,39,40, (111'3840
Ditto .. • • .. • . 1845 16%
Ditto, Deferred .. 15
Ditto, Three per Cent .. 33% 33%
Dividends on the above payable in Landon.
Dutch Two-and-a-Halt per Cent .. 58% 5834
Russian Inscription, 5 per Cent. .. 104

cLosmi,
PRICES.
8214
3r4

PRICES OF BUSINESS
CLOSING
RAILWAY SHARES. PAID. DONE AT PRICES.
ONE O'CLOCK.
Amber., Notting., Boston, and

Eastern Junction . •• 2%.... 11A .......... I M
Birmingham and Oxford Junction 10 .... 16 • 16

Birming.,
Wolver., and Dudley • • b ...... • • ..9%
Bristol and Exeter .. • . .. 75 .... 72 y 4
Caledonian 28%
.. 35 .... 28
Chester and Holyhead .. 27% .... 191,4 %• • • • 20
Eastern Counties .. 20 18% 19 .. • • .. 19
Do. Perpet., 5 per Cent. No. 1. 6/. 13s. 4d. p........ p
Ditto, York Extension 7% ••••• • • • • • 5%
Edinburgh and Glasgow .. 50. •• .. •• • .. •• .

Ditto, Quarter Shares • . .. 12% .... 16 ••.. • • • ... 16%
Ely and Huntingdon .. .. 15 15% 15 ...... 15
Great Northern 3 • 2 2.. • • ....
_2_

Great Southern & West. (Ireland) 30— .... ••243
Great Western .. 85 ....109 .. • 105

Ditto, Half shares .. 50 .... 63 •• . 64
Ditto, Quarter Shares 1234 .... 15% 15%
Ditto, Fifths .. 20 .... 2534 ..... 25 jy
Ditto, Xew 434 .... 734 • 7
Hull and Selby .. .. 50 ....103 103
Leeds and Bradford .. .. 40 .... 84%.
London and Blackwall .. 16/. 13s. 4d. 7% .. •••• • • ••
London, Brighton, & South. Coast 50 .... 513 52 ...... 52
Ditto, Consol. Eighths .. 10 .... 11% 12 ...... 12
_ Ditto, Fifteenths .. 52 •• -• •• •• • • 51

London and Greenwich.. 121. 15s. 4d... • • 8% ••••• • • • • • 9
London an North-Western ..100 • ...171 172.. .. 172
Ditto, Quarters -- L. and B. 7 .... 211* %•• .. . 211,1
Ditto ditto, New Shares • • .. 2 .... 11% • ll%
Ditto, Fifths .. ." . .. 2 .... 15 .. • • 15
Ditto, 401. Shares M. & .. 40 .... 66% .... • • 65
Ditto, 101. Shares M. &B. (B) 5 .... ••.. • ..... 10
Ditto, 101. Shares M. &B. (C) 1 •• .. . ..... 5%
London and South-Western 41/. 6s. 10d... 61% 3 62 34 63
Ditto, Tenths (Consolidated) .. 50 .... 5 • -
Ditto, Scrip • . .. • • .. .. 5 .... 43( •• • • 414
Lynn and Eiy .. 25 .... 26% . .. •. . 26
Lynn and Dereham .. 20 .... 20% ••• • • •
Manchester and Leeds .. .. • • 82 •• .. 98 • .. • • .... 98
Ditto, Half Shares .. .. 38 .... 45 ..... ..... 45
Ditto, Quarter Shares .. .. 12 .... 14 .... 14
Ditto, Fifths .. 5 .... ... •••
834

• .
Ditto, Thirds (Reg.).. .. —7l. 45..... %% . • % dis
Manchester, Buxton, & Matlock 425. ••• • % dis. ..... % dis
Midland ..100 ....115 .......... 115
Ditto, New .. .. 36 .... 30 .......... 39
Do., Consol. Bristol and Birm.
ix per Cent. .. • • "100 .. —124 123% ...... 123%
Newcastle and Berwick .. 20 .... 25% 25% 25%
Ditto, New .. .. •• 5 .... 6%34.,, „ 6
Norfolk .. ..100 126 .......• • • 126
Northern Counties Union .. .. 4 .... % .......... 1
North British .. • • •• 25 .... .....- • ... 30%
Ditto, Half Shares .. • • .. 12% •• • . 14% ..... 14%
Ditto, Thirds .. -. • . 1 .. • . .......... 2%
Northern and Eastern .. .. 50 .... 55%.. 55%
North Staffordshire .. 7% ... • 9% %% •• • • 9%
Preston and IVyre.. 25 .... 35%
Ditto, Half Shares (A) .. .. • . 1234 • • 12 4
Reading, Guildford. and Reigate 5 ••• • .... •• • •
Shrewsbury and Birmingham .. 334 • •

Ditto, Cll ss .. • • • • 3-•• • • •"••• • • -•
-•
2%
Shropshire Union .- 4 .... 2( 21'
South Eastern and Dovor .. • • 33% •• • • 355 s 36 ••• • • 36
Ditto. New (iss. at 321.) No. 1. 20 •• .. 20% • 20%
Do.. New (do. 331. 65.8 d.) No. 2. 12 .... 11 11
Do.. New (do. 301.) .. No. 3. 15 13% „ ........
1334 Do., New (do. 101.) .. No. 4. 5 .... 74% ......
South Wales .. • • .• • • 10 .... 7
West Riding Union • • • • • . 4/. 2s ..... die • • (11,
Windsor. Staines, &S. Western.. 425. p p
York and Newcastle.. 25 .... 3514 %• • •• • • 35%
Ditto, New.. .. .. 10 14% 14
Ditto, Preference .• ••••4 • • • • 634% •••• .. • • 6%
York lad North Midland .. .. 50 .. •• 82 82
Ditto, Extension • . • • .. 25 .... 40 ...... .•. ..........40
Do. and W. Riding Eaten.. 10

••
FOREIGN RAILWAYS.
Boulogne and Amiens .. .• •. 20 .... 16% .......• .. 16
Namur and Liege .. •• .. 10.3 ... ...
•. • .....
.. • • 11 3%
Northern of France •• .• • 8 . n % • %
Paris and Lyons .. .. • • •
.• 8 .... 5%•• .....
Paris and Strasbourg .. . • .. 5
.... .. • • 1%
JOINT-STOCK BANKS.
London Joint-Stock
.. 10 •• • ... 161
London and Westminster ..
.. 20 .... 26 .••• • • • 2634
Real del Monte lIINES.
, Unregistered 3IA 314

LLOYD'S SHIPPEY G—(THIS DAY.)
LONDON, MAY 26.—Wind S., light breeze, and fine
clear weather.
DEAL, MAY 25.—Wind S.W., fresh ; 10 P.M.,
W.S.W., light breeze.--Sid. Ricard, Batavia; John
Brown, Porto Rico. Arrd. from the River the Agricola,
Calcutta; Boreas, St. Croix.
PORTSMOUTH, MAY 25.—Wind W.S.W.—Off port,
Owen Glendower, Robertson, Bombay, which passed the
Mary and Ellen, of Cardigan, abandoned with eight feet
of water in her hold, on the 20th instant.
FALMOUTH, MAY 25.—Wind W.S.W.—SId. Pheno-
meene, New York.
LIVERPOOL, MAY 25.—Wind W.S.W. to W.N.W.,
fresh.—Arrd. Brilliant, Cowan, Mauritus; Star, Thomp-
son, Rio Janeiro; Undaunted, Brown, Philadelphia; Co-
lumbia, Furber, New York, eld. Ist instant. The Ash-
land, Williams, hence to New York, went on shore on
Long Island 29th ult., and remained, making water, in
an easy position ; assistance had been sent from New
York.

CLYDE, MAY 24.—Wind S.—Arrd. Ganymede, Joy,
Jamaica. Sid. Victory, Calcutta ; Francis, St. Kitts ;
Ann Campb(ll, Halifax.
DUBLIN, MAY 24.—Wind E. ; P.M. S.W.—Arrd.
Venus, Soal, Philadelphia ; Claremont, Fleming, New
Orleans ; Ella Cesander, New ,York. Sld. Friendship,
uo*,