The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-06 00:00:00

THE QUARTER'S REVENUE.

The abstract of the net produce of the revenue of
Great Britain, in the years and quarters ending
July 5, 1845, and July 5, 1846, will be found in
another column ; and if any further proof were wanting
of the good policy of Sir ROBERT PEEL in making
the reductions which he made last year in the
Customs and Excise duties, it would be furnished by
this return. Notwithstanding these reductions, the
decrease in the total revenue in the year ending July
5, 1846, as compared with the year ending July 5,
1845, is only 1,011,773/. ; while on the quarter, as
compared with corresponding quarter of last
year (the first quarter in which these reductions
took effect), there is an increase of 575,599/.
The total amount of Customs for the year is
17,688,461/. ; for the quarter it is 4,523,3911.,
showing a decrease in the year of 2,118,5831., and
an increase on the quarter of 23,8431. The total
amount of revenue derived from the Excise during
the year is 12,025,1121., showing, notwithstanding
the total removal of the glass duties, and the great
reductions made in various duties, a decrease, as
compared with the preceding year, of only 49,8871.,
while on the quarter there is an increase of 139,027/.,
the total amount of revenue derived from the Excise
for the quarter being 3,104,711/. This is most satis-
factory, as showing, in the first place, that the Excise
revenue has not been materially affected.by the great
reductions that have been made ; and, in the next
place, that the labouring population are, in general,
in such a prosperous condition that they are able to
indulge in the use of those exciseable articles which
constitute the luxuries of the poor. The revenue de-
rived from Stamps is, for the year, 6,988;940/. ; for the
quarter, 1,730,4951., showing an increase on the year
of 142,0571., and a decrease on the quarter of
106,5811. The state of the railway world in 1846,
as compared with what it was in 1845, will satisfac-
torily account for this difference. Under the head
Taxes the revenue for the year amounts to 4,229,8991.,
and for the quarter to 2,006,4271., showing an in-
crease on the year of 1,4581., and on the quarter of
5,860/. The Property-tax for the year amounts to
5,183,912/., showing a decrease of 78,042/. There is
however, an increase on the quarter of 99,171/.,
the amount for the quarter being 1,009,1621.
The Post-office revenue we are rejoiced to find goes
on steadily increasing ; for the year it amounts to
794,000/., showing an increase of 115,000/. ; for the
quarter it amounts to 181,0001., showing an increase
of 26,000/. It is to be hoped that the new Postmas-
ter-General will introduce those reforms which are
so much needed in the administration of this, perhaps
the most slovenly managed department of the public
service. Great additional accommodation without any
additional expense might easily be afforded to the
public for the transmission of letters, and
if such accommodation were afforded there cannot
be a doubt but that the revenue derived from the
post-office would be greatly increased. No revenue
has been derived from the Crown Lands during the
quarter—(during the corresponding quarter in 1845
the revenue for Crown Lands was 30,0000—for the
year it amounts to 100,000/., showing a decrease, as
compared with the year preceding, of 25,000/. The
revenue, under the head Miscellaneous, is for the
year 1,384,096/., and for the quarter 458,001/., show-
ing an increase on the year of 725,277/., and on the
quarter of 444,349/. This includes the sum of
440,000/., being the produce of money received from
China. The total charge for the quarter is 7,425,651/.
The total ordinary revenue for the year is 48,394,420/.;
for the quarter, 13,013,1871.; showing a decrease in
the year of 1,011,773/., and an increase on the quarter

of 575,599/.; leaving a surplus of the consolidated
fund, for the quarter, of 5,785,5521.

It is expected that the seals of office will be this
day resigned by the late Ministry, and handed over
to their successors. Our readers are already familiar
with the construction of the new Cabinet. It con-
firms the belief we entertained and expressed this day
week, that, notwithstanding the strong intimation,
thrown out by Mr. COBDEN, of a desire that the new
Adminstration should be formed upon a political junc-
tion between Sir ROBERT PEEL and Lord J. RUSSELL,
no such official union would, at the present time,
be consummated. 'We believe that a Cabinet com-
prising the abilities of these two illustrious
statesmen would have been received with unmingled
satisfaction by a large portion of our countrymen.
We confess, however, that we are better pleased
with the existing arrangement. We have already
praised the attempt made by the Premier to enlist
among his colleagues Earl DALIIOUSIE and other
liberal-minded officials, who figured so favourably
under the auspices of Sir R. PEEL; and have also
expressed our regret that the attempt was
unsuccessful. There are, undoubtedly, times when
a powerful Government is indispensable for sa-
tisfactorily conducting the affairs of the coun-
try. Such was felt and announced by the
Duke of WELLINGTON to be the predominant
idea in his mind, when his Grace gave in his adhe
sion to Sir R. PEEL'S enlarged commercial policy,
and which was only subsequently to Lord JOHN
RussELL's having abandoned the task of constructing
an Administration, towards the close of the last year.
That was a peculiar crisis, and nothing short of the
powerful leadership of Sir R. PEEL in the one
House, and the great influence of the Duke in the
other, could have so speedily and triumphantly
carried the great measures which are now the law
of the land. But, considering the healthy action
which public opinion has exercised upon the
Legislature since the Reform Bill, we are
more desirous of beholding a well-intentioned,
than a strong Government, presiding over
our national concerns. It has grown into a poli-
tical apophthegm, that a strong Opposition is for the
good of the country ; and in a period of public pros-
perity, when we are blessed with peace at home and
abroad, when our finances are flourishing, and agri-
culture, commerce, and manufactures present a
healthy aspect, an opposition of some strength is not
disadvantageous. Under such a state of things the
influence of public opinion is more likely to be felt
and impressed upon the Legislature, should the Go-
vernment, by its acts or measures, manifest an indif-
ference to the promotion of our national welfare ;
for then the country looks to the opposition
as the legitimate vehicle for the ultimate realisation
of any reasonable, but thwarted, hopes. Reverse
the picture, and suppose us to be threatened, or en-
gaged in war with any powerful state, or to be appre-
hensive of any civil outbreak, arising from discontent at
home, or the public finances to be seriously dis-
ordered, then we should desire a firm and vigorous
executive in the place of a powerful opposition. But
as we are, happily, very differently circumstanced, as;
Sir R. PEEL and Lord JoUN, united in office, would
be almost irresistible as a Government ; and as we
never can tell the particular turn which public affairs
may take at any moment; we are not among those
who regret that they will continue to sit upon opposite
sides of the House. We prefer this all the more, seeing
that Sir R. PEEL has promised to support his successor
to the utmost in any endeavour he may make to free
our commerce from remaining restrictions. In his
retiring address, Sir R. PEEL took for granted that,
to follow up the impulse he had imparted to free
trade would constitute one of the leading principles
of Lord JOHN'S Government; and in the latter's ad-
dress to the electors of the city of London, we read'
with delight the assurance that he " will not desert
the principles of commercial freedom."

The nomination of Lord JOHN, to be returned tot
Parliament as a representative of the greatest'
city in the world, takes place on Wednes2
day, and we implicitly trust the citizens:
will do equal honour to the Noble Lord and,
themselves by promptly enabling him to resume
his seat in the House of Commons. His address mo-i
destly establishes his claim to a renewed mark of
their confidence ; and whereas he was formerly re-
turned by a narrow majority for having boldly advo-
cated the extinction of commercial monopoly, we
hope, now that his enlightened views have been sealed
with the approval of Parliament, he will meet hi-
reward, and be returned, without opposition, to the
sphere where he has justly acquired so conspicuous
and enviable a fame. In the outline he has traced in
the address alluded to we recognise many subjects of
infinite-importance to the future well-being of these
realms. Independently of following in the wake of
his predecessor with respect to spreading the wings
of our commerce, he has enumerated, among other
matters, the social condition of the people as one of
pressing consideration to the mind of the legislator.
His Parliamentary labours show that this is a sub.
ject to which Lord JOHN has for a long time devoted
his attention ; we are, therefore, fortified with the
hope that we shall shortly have "most comprehensive
measures" introduced for effecting reformation among
the humbler classes of our countrymen, whose
condition has long been felt to afford
a severe theme for national reproach. Full
employment for their inherent industry, pro•
visions abundant and cheap, a wise code of laws re•
gardful of public health, and a ready access to the
means of sound education, these are the levers by
which the hitherto neglected masses of our fellow-
beings must be raised to a proper level, commensurate
with the wealth and grandeur of the British empire.
Lord Joint has shadowed forth his willingness to put
his hand to this great work ; and sure we are that, in
the prosecution of so vast an undertaking, Lord Jon
will find himself inspirited by the countenance and
support of every benevolent and philosophical mind.

Never did the representative of any borough resign
his seat into the hands of his constituency with a
better title to their consideration and gratitude than
Mr. COBDEN. His farewell address to the electors of
Stockport we have already given, and it is
our honest conviction that the causes which have led
to its publication, and the circumstances which have
rendered that resignation necessary, will be subjects
of the deepest regret to many millions of his coun-
trymen. As affording us the prospect of Mr. COB-
DEN'S ultimate return to his great legislative labours,
we are, however, prepared, on mature reflection, to hail
the fact of his retirement into private life with sentiments
nearly akin to those of satisfaction, principally because
that cessation of arduous Parliamentary exertions
will . prove an inexpressible solace to one
whose whole constitution is debilitated and wrecked
by an unexpected and protracted career of moral and
political agitation. We are so satisfied with the
actuality of that declaration uttered by the ex-Mem-
ber for Stockport, at the final meeting of the League,
that he is not physically constituted for the office
which during the last few years he has so nobly filled,
that we believe a renewal of domestic tranquility to
be the boon most coveted by Mr. COBDEN at this
moment of victory. His temporary withdrawal from
the din of the political arena will assuredly prove to
him the most acceptable recompense for his fervent
and unflagging exertions for the social and
commercial emancipation of his fellow-men: the
ties of home will prove more congenial to
him at this juncture than a score of civic crowns:
the golden solace of repose, more welcome than any
golden testimonials. Such we sincerely believe to
be the modest and unambitious sentiments of our
Great Free-trader, but those sentiments must be
met with proportionate generosity. While his
wishes are being gratified by the acquisition of so
much time as will be sufficient to recruit his decayed
health, let the wishes of the popular heart be
gratified by accompanying his retirement by some
emphatic expression of national gratitude. Let the
CINCIM,ATUS of England, on returning to his per-
sonal and household affairs, do so only after having
received some assurance that his services to his
fellow-citizens will ever render him, even in the
quietude of his seclusion, the object of their unceas-
ing solicitude and of their most heartfelt remembrance.
We have written this adjuration, and before the ink
has well dried we receive intelligence of its partial
fulfilment : we have called upon the public to prove
itself worthy of its benefactor, and before our voice
has yet reached the ears of the population an intima-
tion reaches us that upwards of twenty thousand