The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-06 00:00:00

THE QUARTER'S REVENUE.

The return of the net produce of the Revenue up
to the sth of January, 1846, shows an increase on
the quarter of 95,1051., and is so far satisfactory.
In the article of Customs there has been a decrease of

547,5461. on the quarter, and considering the re-
ductions made by the tariff of last session, we con-
sider that the amount of decrease in Customs' Duties
is smaller than we had any right to hope for. In the
Excise there is an increase of 107,897/., and
considering that the glass duties have been
removed, we consider this increase a most
satisfactory indication of the state of the coun-
try. The quarter's increase on Stamps amounts
to 190,7441. We were prepared to expect a large
increase under this head, for the railway speculations
have necessitated an enormous transfer of capital, and
every transfer of this nature pays a stamp duty.
Under the head of Taxes we find a small decrease of
4,439/., and under that of the Property-tax a decrease
0f100,556/. The Post-office revenue shows an increase
upon the quarter of 43,000/., and we feel assured, that if
the Post-office were properly managed, an enormous
increase of revenue would be the consequence. The
Post-office should take advantage of the rapidity of
railroad communi.;ation, and measure by time and
not by distance. If what used to be the old two-
penny post delivery were extended to every district
within four hours of the General Post-office (regard-

less of distance), the revenue from the Post-office
would show an enormous increase. There is a de-
crease of 25,00 C/. on the Crown Lands' revenue, and an
increase under the head of Miscellaneous upon the
quarter of 360,2811., but the last payment of the
Chinese ransom-money is included in this sum. The
total income of the quarter is 12,800,798/. ; and that
for the year is 50,601,988/., showing a decrease on the
year of 633,5501.—a very small decrease, when we
consider the amount of the duties which were taken
off during the. last session of Parliament. The total
charge for the quarter ending January 5, 1846,
is 8,740,084/. ; and the surplus, 4,275,3161.
On the whole, this return may be considered
satisfactory. It shows that the revenue in the long
run gains by the removal of exorbitant import duties ;
that the experiments which have been tried in the
free trade direction have been more successful than
their most sanguine advocates could have anticipated,
proving to demonstration that the doctrines of free
trade are the doctrines of common sense, and, con-
sequently, of sound finance. We hope, therefore, that
Sir E. PEEL will, on the meeting of Parliament, be
prepared to carry out those doctrines to their full
extent by the removal of all protective duties ; and
we feel convinced that, setting aside other and higher
considerations, such a measure might be amply jus-
tified on financial grounds alone.

As the meeting of Parliament approaches all par-
ties are filled with anxiety. They stand like soldiers
on the eve of battle, pondering on the morrow's fight.
All are agreed that a fierce struggle is at hand, 3 et
the issue is hardly to be doubted. Ic needs no astro-
loger to tell us that free trade is in the ascendant; but
the contest may be desperate and protracted for a
while. The great body of the people are unanimous
and resolved, and their resolution ensures the ulti-
mate triumph of the cause, but the duration of the
conflict depends in a great measure on the conduct of
those interested in the maintenance of protection.
The necessities of the times and the wants of the
people must influence the decision of any Govern-
ment, Conservative though it be. Apparently neither
of these causes are sufficiently powerful to induce
the aristocracy to yield an inch of their privileges.
Even now, when the crisis is at hand, we find the
Duke of RICHMOND and his brother protectionists
upholding their favourite doctrines with all the
acrimony and violence of desperation. " Protection'
is the watchword in the ranks of monopoly ; like
charity, it seems to cover a multitude of sins ; it is

tarsuly an
it
isfibe-ou
easutinfudli.ng ‘word,tN e only a
Protection
nit
for
r thseboa nfide
British
farmer"— "Protection for native industry"— how
plausible,obl
e
Dukeshow patronisingare
right
igit doesis it
protectionappear.
thatAn they
And the
N
want ; but for whom ?—for themselves or the British
farmer it is not difficult to determine. They indeed
~
seek protection, not for British industry.
armers, but the
VlJut for
eto have hereditary
ownersßritish
soil.in t e r els tvs
h; a
tn
ao
vt a
.fiol ht
legislators if they are unable to legislate for them-
selves ? Where would be the glory and greatness of
England if the "lords of the land" were not pro-
tected? Who would then pay the mortgages on
their estates, find portions for their daughters, seats in
Parliament for their sons ?—who would furnish a
gorgeous reception for royalty, or procure the
delights of a battue for the courtly and refined ?
Fear not, Noble Lords ! in the nineteenth century
we could find no men barbarous enough to dim the
lustre of th a Peerage, or deprive the country of the
privileges of protection ! Feast on, therefore; there
is but one objection, which no doubt your sagacity
can easily remove. If the laws are only to be made
for Peers, what is to become of the people ? Will
your Lordships deign to answer so impertinent a
question ? If we mistake not, you have already done
so. The courteous kindness of nobility has proposed
curry and such savoury condiments for the starving.
Gracious condescension !—a few weeks may decide
differently. In the meantime, we will leave "the friends
of agriculture," and turn to a worthier portion of the
exclusive class. The present number of the Oxford
and Cambridge Review contains an admirable article
on the " Corn-laws and the Aristocracy," written by
one of the aristocracy themselves, and pourtraying
the sentiments of the new generation. It is remark-
able for the moderation of' its sentiments, the calm
and soberminded view of the present position of the
landowners. It is evident that a large number of the
latter must be at present in a state of considerable
perplexity; comparatively free from prejudice and
perversity, they are restrained from any movement
1.411 OUSLI 'Cal VI. ill./ ,E•
in season will be most beneficial. Let them give their
aora e. oho article we have referred to; it
has evidently been written by one nursed in the pre-
judices of protection. Forced to think for himself,
he has found that " the corn-laws form no part of
the English Constitution." His old convictions still
exert their influence; he sees "little to be gained"
by their repeal, yet he also sees "much to be ha-
zarded by their retention." The following is the ap-
propriate advice given to the aristocracy of England:
" First, they may abandon at once and altogether the
struggle, and adopting frankly and boldly their now
position, with all its dangers, duties, and responsibilities,
offer the corn-laws as a peace-offering to the genius of
their country, and thus prove to the world alike the
disinterestedness of their past resistance, and the mag-
nanimity arid courage of their present assent. This
course, we believe, has found recommenders at pro-
tection head-quarters, and has the merit of settling the
question for ever. It is either a bold and wise resolve,
or a cowardly and stupid concession. Believing, as we
do with the late Lord Spencer, with Lord Lyttelton,
with Judge Coleridge, and Dr. Chalmers, that the land
of England would not cease to be profitably cultivated,
although individual cases of distress and hardship night
occur, were the corn-laws to be repealed—we shall not
upbraid the leaders of the country party with treason or
cowardice if they adopt this course. Great dangers
require great ventures, and the moral effect of the gen-
tlemen of England coming forward, and doing of them-
selves what neither Russell, nor Peel, nor Cobden could
do without them, could not fail to be immense and salu-
tary. But this step, if taken, must be taken with
unblanched cheek and gallant bearing. It is the brave
venture of men who, uncompelled, for their country's
sake, leap, Curtius-like, into the gulf : there must be
no murmuring, no complaining, no voting against the
first reading of a Bill, staying away on the second, and
voting for the third : no unnecessary abuse of others, no
petulant attempts to render the sacrifice, if it be one, as
little gracious as may be. If carried out in this magna-
nimous spirit, the aristocracy and gentlemen of England
may rely on their resolve being appreciated by the
people. No doubt the fatal concessions of the French
aristocracy will be urged in bar of such a line of conduct.
and the day that witnesses it will be designated • the
day of dupes ;' but are the cases really parallel ? Are
the corn-laws truly part and parcel of the venerable
remains of the old English Constitution that have sur-
vived the rebellion, the restoration, and the pious revo-
lution ? Or are they not rather what Mr. Disraeli, we
think, once called them, • an accident,' beneficial and
wise at one time, the reverse at another; and to identify
the existence or even the splendour of the English aris-
tocracy with the corn-laws is as insulting to that order
as it is in fact untrue."

If these counsels be followed as they deserve, we
may augur well for the coming session. By setting
themselves in violent opposition to all reform, the
landowners may create a temporrry disturbance—
they will ensure their own downfal and disgrace ;
by giving isay for a time they will secure their own
gnel fir ~1 nhundant "protection' in the grati-
tude of the people—

" There is still a little left of time to do
That out of love, which will be out of hate."

On their decision depends not so much the triumph
of free trade, for that is secure without them, but
on their decision depends the influence they them•
selves will possess on future occasions. We would
warn them to beware in time ; there is such a thing
as making a virtue of necessity, and there is also such
a thing as passing the bounds of endurance. They
have their choice—on their own heads be the conse-
quence. Whatever be the conduct of the older leaders,
it is srith pleasure we find the new generation have
come to a decision. It would have been inconsistent,
indeed, to have found those who ever advocate the
cause of the suffering poor, ranged with their oppres-
sors to rob the people of their bread. Professing
high Tory principles, the writer of this article de-
clares he feels " too great a confidence in English
energy, English skill, English soil, and English
climate, to look with dread on a competition with
foreign farmers," concluding with these words :
" Should cur attempt fail, as we fear it will, and this
country, that might be so powerful in its internal con-
cord, and must be so weak in its divisions, be separated
into two hostile factions ;—should Welenda esi Cat thayo'
be the cry from one camp, answered by No surrender,'
from the other, then we trust, that all those who think
with us that now by a bold wisdom on the part of the
aristocracy the country may be spared the miseries of
that strife, will then, their counsel having been rejected,
and their generals determined upon war, sharo with
them the dangers of this campaign, and fight with a
good courage, though, like blameless Falkland,' with a
dejected spirit and a troubled mind. If there be dif-
ferences of opinio❑ at the council, let there be none in
the action. It is to aid those deliberations that these
pages are written ; net to throw difficulties in the way
of their accomplishment. But, in the words of Scott,
' the times flies fast on: let us resolve either for peace or
war ; and let it not be said of us in future days, that six
thousand Scottish men in arms had neither the courage
to stand their ground and fight it out, nor prudence to
treat for peace, nor even the coward's wisdom to retreat
in good time and safety.'"

The horrors excited by public executions, and more
especially the scenes which occurred yesterday, when
two persons were put to death for the greatest of all
crimes—murder, have induced some of our Contem-
poraries to advocate the abolition of all capital punish-
ments. Such exertions deserve praise for humanity ;
possibly they may be beneficial, too, in promoting
civilisation, as they tend to discourage the morbid
appetite of the vulgar for such sights, and hold up to
public reprobation all those who can take an interest
of any kind in the violent death of a fellow-creature.
But, admitting these and other advantages, the
question is still one of great difficulty, and it would
become the Government and the Legislature to
weigh well every probable result before any material
alteration be made in the existing law. We are
decidedly opposed to what are called " legal murders,"
as measures of punishment, and admit that they may
not be so cffectaal in deterring mankind from com-
mitting great crimes as some legislators maintain.
but still they may be justified on other grounds, and
mainly ou the ground that the life of no human being
is to be placed in danger from the wicked propensities
or violent passions of another. Suppose a secondary
punishment is inflicted, and these .wretched criminals
are banished to Norfolk Island for life, is there any
security that they will not repeat the crime upon
an unsuspecting companion in affliction, or
upon their taskmaster, or some other innocent human
being whom their ungovernable temper, reckless of
life, may devote to destruction ? There is, in fact,
no security whatever. Nay, on the contrary, such a
result has frequently occurred ; and it is no uncom-
mon news to receive from our penal settlements that
a convict, guilty of homicide, with circumstances
rendering it almost equal to murder, or another,
whose depraved nature neither kindness nor severity
could modify, had murdered his comrade, and ex-
piated his offence on the gibbet. Have the Judges,
or the jury who recommended such persons to mercy,
freekeep oinfgblianm
iemipne
rlfee
et tti n
ego lc, upon sdoa
nc i egteyr,o ours
oeNh-ean.
nothing to answer for ? Is the Government entirely

racters, and thereby becoming, to a certain der--
blameable for the second murder of a
It is impossible to guard ae-*
deeds of cruelty by r-
Neither shanir''
frightr-

„Lee,

-Liman being?
„mist such deplorable
~rdinary measures of restraint.
__,es, nor bars, nor any other means less

.us than death itself, will effect the purpose ; and
is it not better, therefore, that ten persons, nay, hun-
dreds, should suffer an ignominious and a just death,
than that one human being, guilty of no crime,
should be hurried, unprepared, into the presence of
his Great JUDGE ? Looking at the crimes committed
by the two wretched beings executed yesterday,
what man can feel sympathy for their fate ?
The one, a young woman, forgot the confi-
dence reposed in her by the unfortunate victim
of her cruelty, rose in the night, and, with a rope,
which she had purposely prepared, strangled while
asleep her unsuspecting companion, that she might
carry off undisturbed the paltry sum of five pounds.
She might well repeat again and again on the
scaffold "I deserve it, I deserve it." The other
criminal murdered his fellow-labourer in a moment
for saying a few words to his master. We will not
appeal to the authority of Scripture, strong as it is,
for sanctioning the execution of such barbarous
criminals, nor say that public executions may not,
by their frequency, tend to brutalise the mind ;
but the question is, can they, with safety to the
innocent, be entirely dispensed with? May not the
good far counterbalance the evil ? and is it just that
any man's life should be placed in jeopardy for the
sake of carrying out a doubtful principle ? Some
jurists have gone a great deal farther, and would in-
flict the punishment of death on every person who
took away the life of another. Even the humane
SMOLLETT would apply it to lunatics. In closing his
reflections on the execution of Earl FERRERS, he
says—

" Perhaps it might be no absurd or unreasonable re-
gulation in the Legislature, to divest all lunatics of the
privilege of insanity, and, in cases of enormity, subject
them to the common penalties of the law ; fur though,
in the eye of casuistry, consciousness must enter into the
constitution of guilt, the consequences of murder com-
mitted by a maniac may be as pernicious to society as
.
an-crihe punishment of death can be hardly deemed un-
just or rigorous, when inflicted upon a mischievous being,
divested of all the perceptions of reason and humanity"

We have intelligence from Madrid of the 29th ult.
The Senate had met on that day, when some of the
usual sessional arrangements were made. They
were to meet on the 30th to dicuss the Address in
reply to the Royal Speech.
3a,an
The Three per Cents. closed at 36i- for cash, and
6st at 60a
2 days;3at
60 days.
Five per Cents. at 231 for
c

Most of the Paris papers of Sunday contain arti-
cles on the Budget presented to the Chamber on the
previous day by the Finance Minister, of which we
gave the chief items yesterday. The public appears
to he well satisfied with the statement, and its effect
on the money market was favourable. Even the
Opposition journals can say little against it, and both
the Commerce and the Notional merely complain that
when the finances are so prosperous, M. LACAVE La-
PLAGNE has broken his pledge of last year, and refused
to reduce the Five per Cent. Stock. The former
admits that the extraordinary vote of credit for naval
constructions and stores is very large. This vote,
however, will be extended over several years, the sum
to be taken this year being not more than 13,000,000 f.
(520,0001.) Mr. POLK'S insolent remarks respecting the
interference of European States with his unjustifiable
encroachments on Mexico has probably been the
main cause of this vote for strengthening the French
navy. '1 he Presse, an Opposition journal, adverts to
the financial statement in favourable terms. "The
statement of the Minister," it says, " demonstrates
that France has escaped the scarcity of provisions
which affects other nations. We shall thus be free
for a certain rise in price in some of the necessaries
of life, and this additional dearness will last but a
short time, as the approaching harvest is announced
under the most favourable auspices. The Minister of
Finance is, moreover, occupied with the consideration
of measures to prevent the recurrence of the com-
mercial crisis which, during some weeks, pressed
upon the money market of Paris, and which now ap-
pears to have arrived at its term." The Committee
of the Chamber of Peers had appointed Count
PORTALIS to draw up the Address in answer to the
KING'S Speech. Accounts had been received
from Algeria, dated December 27. BUGEAUD
was, as usual, in pursuit of ABD-EL-KADER,
and with the usual sueocss. It appears that he bad
made another razsia, having captured near Guetefa
500 of f the
Arabs,
and
nd killed 200. In the province
of I)ellys the tribes were said to be perfectly tranquil.
But little business was done in the Funds on Sunday,
but they were more firm than on Saturday, and the
Three per Cents. had risen to 831. 10c.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, JAN. 5.
Angle-Belgian — Madrid aid Palencia...
Barbadoes
Boulogne and Amiens.. 13 Namur and Liege 41,4
Bordeaux &Mediterran North Jamaica ...
Bordeaux and Toulouse Orleans aid Tierzon ..
Do. & Cette (Espeleta) 2 Orleans and Bordeaux 121,4
Do. (MOver Yssel
ackenzie'sr)a....

Callao; Lima, and _
cifie Coast
Central of Spain
Ceylon .
Depierara
Dendre Valley
Dutch Rhenish
Dieppe & I'aris Janet —
Dijon and Malhotute
East Indian
Famponx & Ilazebrouk
G'rt Northern of France
Constituted 15%
Great Indian Peninsular
Great Paris and Lyons. 2%
Great Western Bengal jq
Great Western Canada
Jamaica& Mid. Junction
Do. N orth Midland —
Do. Extension

Paris & Lyons (Laffitte) 21A
Ditto (Ganaeroa's) 3l/2
Ditto 2AI
Ditto (Sad Est)
Paris and Orleans
Paris and Roue'
Paris and Strasburg
(Ganueron's)
Do. (Compe de L'Est)
Do. (Aymard'a) —
Paris and St. Quentin —
Rouen and Havre 3114
Royal Nortis of Spain —
Sambre and Meuse
I Strasb arg alai Bale
Tournay,Jurbise, Lan-
den, and Ilasselt
Tours and Nantes
(Mackenzie's)
Do. ( Lefebvre's) —

Jersey
Louvain and Jemappe 2%

De. (O'Neill's)
Trinidad . ....

Lyons and Avignon
Luxembourg

Vsrona anel Ancona....
West Flouters —

JEDBURGII.—LARD JOHN RUSSELL.—The greates
excitement was created here on Tuesday last, by its
being bruited that Lord John Russell was expected by
the Chevy Chace from Newcastle ; and it being market
day, the crowd became more dense as the time of arrival
drew nigh, but only to be disappointed, as his Lordship
was posting it through. This announcement made Ly
the guard, tended to keep the feeling of curiosity alive ;
and at last their patience was rewarded, for, about few
o'clock, a private carriage, containing his Lordship only,
drove up to the Eagle Inn, and was immediately sur-
rounded by an admiring throng. Lord Minto's carriage
being awaiting his arrival, he entered it and drove off to
Tinto Castle amid the acclamations of the gratified
crowd. His Lordship seemed considerably fatigued.—
Glasgow Saturday Po ti.. .

The Marquis of Downshire is about to break up
his hunting establishment at Baxterley-hall, near Ather-
stone, it being understood to be the intention of the Noble
Marquis to reside chiefly at Hillsborough Castle, Down-
shire. Viscount Holmesdale, Lord Edwin Hill, &c., have
been among tha recent visitors of the Noble Marquis at
Baxterley.
Earl and Countess Nelson, and a family circle, are
passing the holidays at Trafalgar-park, near Salisbury.
The Earl and Countess of Glengall, and the youth-
' fat Ladies Butler, are passing the holidays at Caher Castle,
Tipperary. The Noble Earl, who is in the enjoyment of im-
proved health, has not visited town for two seasons.
Dr. Forster, the Foreign Secretary to the Ani-
mals' Friend Society, has just given the gratifying intelli-
gence to L. Gompertz, Esq., the Hon. Secretary, that they
had at length got a law of police at Brussels which imposes a
fine upon every person who cruelly strikes a horse or ass,
cow, dog, &c., in the street.
COMMISSION OF LUNACY.-011 Saturday, Mr.
Commissioner Barlow held an inquiry at the White Hart,
Clapham, before a respectable jury, into the state of mind of
Mrs. Alice M'Queen, a maiden lady of fortune, 55 years of
age, an inmate of Brook Howe. Mr. Prendergast supported
the commission, which was unopposed. From the evidence
of the unfortunate lady's friends, confirmed by Dr. Sylvester,
of Clapham, and Dr. Monroe, it appeared that her mind had
been affected for the last three years, during which time she
had entered into engagements with owners of property in
Scotland, Devonshire, and Clapham, and had failed to take
possession, the result of which had been several notices of
actions in the Court of Chancery. During her residence
at Clapham she betrayed such unequivecal symptoms
of iasauity as to call for restraint. The delusions
under which she laboured were of a most singu-
lar character ; believing that the food given her con-
sisted of human flesh and bones, and that the tea was
human blood, she resolutely refused to eat or drink fur a
period of four days together. She refused to go to bed, aver-
ring that dogs were under the clothes. In a state of alter-
nate hilarity and dejection, she was visited by Drs. Sylvester
and Monroe, whom she declared to be rank impostors, their
object being to ransack the house. She believed, too, that
she was living in coffins filled with dead bodies. Other evi-
dence of a similar character having been adduced, the Com-
missioner said he had just seen the unfortunate lady, whose
situation was truly pitiable. She could not be placed before
the jury, but, if deemed necessary, they might examine her.
The jury refused to come to a decision without seeing her,
and accordingly visited her in Dr. Monrce's establishment.
The jury on their return declared their verdict, " That Alice
M'Queen had been of unsound mind from the Ist of January,
1845,
and was incapable of taking care of herself or her pro-
perty."
Saturday morning (no doubt some particular gale)
produced, as usual, violent gales. At Ostend the damage
done is incredible. Several boats were blown across the
Dyne into the town.