The Sun.
London, England, 1870-04-22 00:00:00

THE PRINCE OP WALES.

The Telegraph observes that not less, but more—far
more—than ordinary subjects of the Queen is the Prince
of Wales bound to answer the national code, socially as
well as legally. lie owes the tribute of a high personal
responsibility, a perfect loyalty, a sacred and severe 'obe-
dience to those laws, social and moral, by the sustaining
strength of which stands the Throne of England, and
under which the kingdom is held together in " peace and
happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety." But
assuredly the nation to which the Prince of Wales owes
all this suit and service owes something very definite to
him he return. if he cannot break the law without dis-
paraging the sceptre and damaging the Throne, the people
in turn cannot allow idlers to drag his name through the mud
of scandal without soiling the honour of England itself
iilong with his. There is no man who is not also bound
to remember the " fierceness of the light " which beats
upon the life of this young Prince. He is placed too high
not to be a natural mark for slander. The temptation to
assail his honour is offered to every low and envious heart
which hungers for " sensational " scandals. These hard
conditions besetting the exalted life of his Royal High-
ness must be borne in mind by all generous and faithful
persons ; and if an odious allegation passes in hearsay
through the land, the truly pure and honest among the
community will scout such cruel chatter. The respectable
journal which happens to have been called to account might
not untruthfully plead, that it had but put forth publicly
and definitely a whispered story which was already in
circulation ; and the managers offered to meet the appeal
for justice by a contradiction and apology. The apology
was declined, and the judges of the Queen's Bench were
summoned to attest the denial. We do not improperly
anticii ate the result when we demand fair play and honest
conduct towards a young man whose princely rank ought
not to make us forget that he has a domestic peace to lose
and a human i
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Englishman's claim to fair play, as well as a Prince'sright
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to enforce the appeal, we call for that consideration
which society owes in return for the services which It
exacts.
COUNTY RATING.

The Pall Mall Gazette thinks that the county rating is
unquestionably a remarkable exception to the general rale
of our Constitution with respect to taxation. In all other
instances taxes cannot be levied without the consent of
the taxpayers, given either in person or by their represen-
tatives. This rule is observed, not only in relation to the
general taxes of the country, but likewise in relation to
borough rates, town rates, and even parochial rates. But it is,
andlor no obvious reason, disregarded in relation to county
rates and countyrates only. Mr. Knatchbull-Hugessen's bill
was clearly insufficient. If we are to have county finan-
cial boards, they ought to be wholly elected by the rate-
payers, like town councils or local boards under the
Local Government Act. If they were, there is no chance
whatever that the landlord interest would not be fairly
represented in them. The farmers are not a revolutionary
class, and the squirearchy have little to fear from their
democratic hostility. Village Hampdens are as rare as
bustards. We should be glad that the House
of Commons should express a deliberate opinion
en the subject. It may be questioned, how-
ever, whether legislation upon it would nit be as
yet premature, even if it were yossible that legislation
co-hld take place upon it this session. The state of local
taxation in all its aspects must shortly engage the atten-
tion of Parliament, and it is not improbable that the inci-
dence of county rates may be a good deal changed. It
would therefore be wiser to wait a little longer for a
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