The Sun.
London, England, 1848-02-11 00:00:00

THE SUN,

dous majesty of Deaern.:Ancient grudges are forgotten,
personal animosities are annihilated, factious emo-
tions are quelled, the most turbulent passions, the
most rancorous jealousies, the most perennial emula-
tions are contemned and disregarded before the
aggrevated agonies of a great people, and the
unnatural depopulation of the empire. The Health
of Towns' Bill is neither a Whig Bill, nor a Tory. Bill ;
its adoption is not the aspiration exclusively of
Liberal or Conservative. Lord LINCOLN advocated its
clauses during the administration of Sir ROBERT
PBere Lor,4 MoRPErn becomes its champion during
the ministry of Lord JOHN RUSSELL. The
veriest Protectionist in the forty shires might
struggle for the victory of the measure without the
smallest qualm to his pastoral and sensitive consci-
ence. A Free-trader can battle against the inroads
of pestilence and contagion, by recording his vote in
favour of the Cabinet scheme, and in so doing only
accomplish physically what he has already achieved
commercially—community of health as well as com-
munity of enterprise. That this is precisely the spirit
in which this remarkable subject is beginning to be
regarded in Parliament, was testified last
evening by the objections raised against the
measure as conceived by her 111AJEiTY'S Ministers.
Objections were raised, but they were objections
raised not because of what the Bill is intended to effect,
but because it is not, in the estimation of Hon. Mem-
bers, calculated to effect enough in the way of a true
and efficient sanitary improvement. Lord DUNCAN
quarrels with it I.Y cause it does not provide in
any manner for the abolition of the window-tax : Mr.
llmisataN because there is no especial provision
against the continuance of intern:ural interment :
and Colonel SIBTIIORP because the metropolis
is altogether excluded from a participation in
its advantages. Not a syllable was of course
uttered in depreciation of the objects of the measure.
The measure was only opposed because, to the more
precipitate class of legislators, these objects did not
appear to be sufficiently numerous. Lord Moßresrit
must therefore he solaced, under all circumstances,
by this reflection, that whatever opposition is raised
to his favourite project, it will not he as to quality,
but solely and entirely as to quantity. It is so good,
in south, that Members want more of it ; ju,t
as a child may long to surfeit itself with
plum-pudding, without ail' eye to its capabilities
of digestion. In restricting the operation of the Bill
within the limits marked out by the Cabinet, we do
conceive that Lord MORPETII and his colleagues
have acted with peculiar sagacity. They have not
endangered all by ambitioning too much. They
have not glutted the public by an over-dose of pre-
servatives against disease. They have considered,
moreover, that it has become essential to bring the
system into immediate play. Delay they know to be
perilous to the lives of thousands, and consequently
they have abstained from encumbering the Bill with
provisions such as would retard its passage through
Parliament, by exciting a variety of prolonged dis-
cussions.

Nor can any reasonable observer deride the mea-
sure as wholly insufficient. It exceeds the audacity
of HERCULES, for it grapples with many monsters at
once. Over the whole project it provides fur
a State supervision a control whi.:ll wai
admirably described by the noble repre-
sentative of the West Riding of Yorkshire as one
" necessary to provide indispensable preliminaries, to
suggest useful methods of acting, and to check obvious
abuses, and then to leave the detail and execution of
the particular proceedings to local agencies." Those
local agencies were subsequently mentioned as
" boards or bodies connected with, and not distinct
from, town councils in those places in which munici-
pal corporations exist." And the duties which will
be considered as imperative upon them are enumerated
as follows :

"To bald meetings for transactions of business ;
to appoint a surveyor; an inspector of nuisances;
to procure a map of their district ; to make public
sewers; to substitute sufficient sewers in case old
ones be discontinued; to require owner or ccrwapier
to provide house drains; to cleanse and water strtets ;
to appoint or contract with scavengers ; to cleanse,
cover, or fill up offensive ditches ; to keep a register
of slaughter-houses; to keep a register of certain
lo !ging-houses ; to provide a sufficient supply of water
for drainage, public and private, and for domestic use."
There is a practical character, therefore, in the
Health of Towns' Bill as again introduced 1 y Lord
Moarrrit—a character such as must command the
gratitude even of the most reckless innovator.
Omissions there unquestionably, are but those can
be rectified at leisure; and the Government cannot
long delay the adoption of especial measures in regard
to the sanitary condition of the Metropolis.

The speech of the Hon. Member for Liverpool, in
bringing before the House the report of the Select
Committee appointed last year for the purpose of
taking into their consideration the state of our com-
mercial relations with China, is deserving of the
most serious attention. That report was well ma-
tured, and the principles enunciated by the Commit-
tee commanded the assent of the vast majority of the
people of this country ; indeed, of erery person
anxious for the legitimate extension of trade and the
removal of the restrictions affecting our commerce
with other lands. There are many consideraticns
which render the reduction of duty recommended by
the Committee extremely desirable. It should not be
regarded merely as a question affecting the revenue, or
from which an increased demand for our manufactures
might reasonably be expected. These are, no doubt
important elements in the calculation ; but there are
others which should not be lost sight of. Tea is
essentially the luxury of the poorer classes—its social
and moral influences are very considerable. Its use
affects not merely their comforts, but the propriety
and rectitude of their conduct. Could you induce
the over-toiled mechanic or labourer to remain with
his family to enjoy " the cup that cheers but not
inebriates," he would no longer be expssed to
many temptations to which too often he falls
a victim, to the sacrifice not only of his own
happiness, but that of his helpless and innocent
family. A more deadly blow could not be
given to the degrading vice of intoxication than
by cultivating and encouraging a taste for ter.
The best mode of attaining this great desideratum
would be by making it so cheap as to place it within
the reach of all. You would then, indeed, afford the
greatest assistance to the labours of the Apostle of
Temperance, which have already been productive of
such happy results, while you would afford a cheap
and refreshing drink—an agreeable and salubrious
stimulant to those who have to undergo much bodily
fatigue. There are some articles, such as spirits and
tobacco, of which it is not desirable greatly to extend
bhe consumption. Of these it may be said that the
only limit of taxation is not to raise it to so great an
extent as to throw the trade into the hands of
smugglers, and thus at once to injure the
revenue and the profits of the fair trader.
But with tea the matter is altogether different. The
tax can only be justified on fiscal grounds, and the
necessity of maintaining the national income, and
providing for the interest of our debt, and the requi-
site expenditure of our public establishments.

the Member for Liverpool last night dealt with
the subject merely on economical grounds, and he
certainly adduced sufficient reasons for the speedy
reduction of the duty. The strongest expectation
had been formed with respect to the prospects opened
to our merchants and manufacturer. `)y the establish-
ment of free intercourse with the 'lines° empire.
eo considerably A new market was formed, which pi ; nised to en-
hance deraobultt
yle our export trade, to afford
anadditional
Ato the products of our
national industry.
population amounting
to three-eighths of the entireaud.
t population of the globe
became our customers,
13,, w.
was impossible to say
how far the trade might extended.tthils'choeuigitrreyat;
bulk of that trade has hitherto fallen o i
rivals anxious to
fiscal regula-
tions, we have active and energetic
sacrifice advantages iahich
benefit by our oversights and impolitic
by which we might
might never be regaimA. If nearly four-fifths of the
value of the goods imported into China have 'been
received by British vessels, it should not be forgotten
that no lees than two-thirds of the residue were sent
by America. A continuance in our present policy for
even a short period may enable that country to
change places with us, and to obtain the trade which
we shall have lost by our Iv just, and inequitable
system of taxation. -
The Committee have reported that "t':• ~.: is but
one limit to our trade with China," and that is " the lamount to which we take their exports." The

British Consul at Canton has stated in one of his dis-

patches

"Assuming that the American and the trade
of other foreign nations leaves an excess of exports
over imports of about a million sterling, the approxi-
mate balance of trade against China would be nearly
two millions, constituting the sum annually drawn
from this country in specie to pay for opium. How
long the Chinese gill be able to sustain this con-
tinual drain of the precious metals is impossible to de-
termine, but the fact being now well established that
the export of tea to England cannot be increased
under the present system of duties, it is not difficult
to foresee that unless a new opening be found for a
larger consumption of China exports in our mar•
kets, a gradual reduction must take place either
•in the quantity or in the prices of our im-
ports in China until they come to a proper level. On
the other hand, it is beyond calculation to what ex-
tent the Chinese would purchase our woollens arid
cottons, were we enabled to take their produce in
return, especially after having obtained the legaliza-
tion of the opium trade." He further states, and in
this he is borne out by Sir John Davis, by le-hom his
words are quoted :—" It must be borne in mind that
the import trade is regulated by, and depends wholly
on, the export trade, and that therefore only an increase
• of exports can cause a corresponding increase in im-
ports. The China trade being essentially a direct barter
trade, it is obvious that unless means can be found to
take from the Chinese a larger amount of their prin-
cipal export, tea, there seems to be but a limited
prospect of deriving for the British manufacturing in-
terests all those advantages which the new position
which we hold in this country consequent upon the
late war might lead them to expect."
There are, in fact, but three means by which we
can be paid for our goods—by silver, by silk, and by
tea. The two farmer are limited in amount, but no
bounds can be assigned to the quantity of tea which
we might receive in exchange for our manufactures ;
and the value of these exports would go to a greet
extent in wages to the operative classes, in providing
employment for our people. It is not only the in-
creased consumption of tea consequent upon a reduc-
tion of the price that would diminish the loss to the
revenue ; but, as each pound of tea would occasion a
demand for tivo pounds of sugar, we should receive
an equivalent fur a considerable portion of any loss
that might take place on the import duties on tea
from an increase of the revenues from sugar ; and
the West India interests would be materially served,
and that in tile most legitimate manner.
The Criaecaerain of the EXCHEQUER does not
deny that the loss from the desired reduction in the
duty from 2s. 21i. to Is. per pound would be but a
temporary one. The Right Hon. Baronet said, "I
have not the least doubt that if we could lower the
price of tea in this country the consumption would be
extended, and in time the revenue be maintained. I have
not the least doubt, again, that the quantity of goods
we send to China must materially depend upon the
amount of returns we can get from that country,
and that to take their tea would considerably ex•
tend our exports to China. I have not the
least doubt, again, th:.t the result of this would be to
benefit the consumers, the manufacturers, and the
shipowners of this country. Nor am I afraid that the
less of revenue would not in time be made up by the
increased consumption of tea." After these admis-
sions, involving the whole question, we cannot con-
ceive it possible that the Right Hon. Gentleman can
intend to persevere in the present s): stem—far
better that the deficiency, if any, should be made up
by an increased property-tax, which is, as we have
already proved, at once the most equitable and most
expedient mode of recruiting the national Exchequer.

A letter from Rome, of the 30th of January,
says :—" The King of Narr.us has yielded at length
to the wishes of his people, and of all Italy. He
has just commissioned his new Ministers to sketch a
project of a constitution. This news, which has just
arrived here, has produced an electric emotion. Nu-
merous bands of people are perambulating the town,
shouting out, Long live the Neapolitan Constitu-
tion !' and everywhere the windows appear illu-
minated, and filled with persons, who join the people
in their joyful demonstrations and plaudits. They
congratulate one another on the sudden and pacific
solution of a question which threatened to prove
fatal to the Italian cause. There was scarcely any
hope that the. KING would yield so easily, and it
wrs not expected that he would grant a constitution.
" Naples is the brightest conquest. of the superio r
mind of Prus IX. The accession of this
kingdom to the Progressist party, assures the triumph
of the Italian cause. Up to this day we saw
nothing but uncertainty and fluctuation. Naples
carries the balance. So long as Naples remained out
of the circle of the general movement fears were en-
tertained of an Austrian intervention, but now such
an apprehension would not be justified. Had King
FERDINAND felt sufficient confidence to depend upon
Austria, he would not hare yielded. Since he has
given way, it is demonstrated that Austria, taken up
with her own business, has refused him her materiel
support. Eighteen millions of Italians have pro-
claimed fur the general progress, despite the Austrian
opposition. All the Imperial forces and all the Aulic
attentions are now concentrated on Lombardy, that
splendid. prey, which will soon fall from the double
eagle's grasp !
" It is reported that the King of NAPLES, in alluding
to the Reformer princes of Italy, has plainly said,
Hanno spiny me, io springer° km.' (They have
pushed me—l shall push them to my turn.) There
is no doubt that Rome will benefit by the Neapolitan
movement. It will awaken still more the Liberals,
and dishearten the obscurantists."

It is said that the Austrian Ambassador at Naples,
Prince SCHWARTZENBERG, has protested against the
grant of a constitution by the KING, as being con-
trary to the provisions of existing treaties between
Naples and Austria.
King CHARLES ALBERT has, it is said, addressed a
note to France, offering if France would support him
to drive the Austrians out of Lombardy. The French
Government, however, replied that they would give
no countenance whatever to such an undertaking.

Tlladrid papers of the 4th have arrived.
The Herald°, the official organ of the Narvaez
Ministry, announces that the Duke and Duchess of
MONTPENSIER will visit Madrid in the month of May.
Addresses continue to be presented to ESPARTERO
from all the cities of the kingdom. The following
from Barcelona, the city which first rebelled against
his regency, was signed by upwards of 6,000 persons,
and was presented tohim by General VAN HALEN:—
" TO HIS EXCELLENCY DON DALDOMERO ESPARTERO.

" If the error of a moment could present the loyal
Barcelonese in hostility with your Excellency, the
expiation of three months' of unheard-of effOrts to
repair the evil caused by irreflection, could not fail to
restore to us the esteem of your Excellency, and of
every good Spaniard.
" This pleasing conviction has been the only leni-
tive of the pain arising from that unthinking ebulli-
tion which caused most of us to fall into the snare
laid for us by our political adversaries, and which has
caused us to shed bitter tears during four years.
But we will withdraw our eyes from so dark a
page of our contemporary history, in order to fix it
solely on that which will record the bright day on
which the country recovered your Excellency, its
favourite son.

" Yes, the arrival of your Excellency at the Court
has re-animated the public spirit, being communicated
like an electric spark to the most distant confines of
the kingdom ; causing a universal joy, and all lovers
of justice and of the national welfare congratulating
each other, as recognising in your Excellency the
pacificator of the kingdom, and the firmest supporter of
the constitutional throne.
" illustrious warrior ! The loyal Barcelonese
congratulate themselves on eo happy an event, and
while envying the lot of those who have been so for-
tunate as to address you personally, we felicitate you
with equal, or, if possible, greater enthusiasm, than
that wkich impelled the patriotic festivals with which
you well remember we received you in this city on
to -
minating your triumphant career, and having obtained
in Berga the last laurel of victory.
" Accept, Duke, the expressions of the purest gra-
titude, and be ever the protecting genius of the
national liberty and indqiendence.
" Barcelona, Jan. 2G, 1 18."
The Senate had grant( the authority to the
Ministers to collect taxes by majority of 70 to 10.
MADRID 1301,5 A, FED. 4, 'le Three per Cents.
were done at 272 for cash, anc 1,7 i at 50 days; the
Four per Cents., at 161 for paper, he Five per Cents.,
at 17, for 50 days ; the Debt without Interest, at
si, for paper; and the Coupons, at 12.

We have received the Paris papers of yesterday.
The discu,sion on the paragraph of the Address
relating to the Reform banquets terminated on
‘Vednesdny in a scene of confusion which reminds
one of the scenes in the Chamber during the latter
days of the Villele Ministry and during the whol