The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, %LONDON, TIIIJRSDAY EVENING, APRIL 24, 18.51,

Fifth Edition, Sro., 25. Gd.,
y ETTERS- to J JUN BULL Esq., on Affairs
JIJ connectrd with his Landed Property, and the Persons who
Lava thereon.

By Sir EDWARD BULWER LYTTON, Bart.
Landon : Chapmaa and Hall, 193, Piccadilly.

lITOTT Al N BRIDGE
THU nAy —Sto-ning 57WATER min. aftLONDOer 7 I Evening 39 min. after $
To Ao&sow—Morning 19 min. alter 9 j Evening 58 Mill. atter 9

TdE WEATHER.—Sr's OFFICE. Arum 24.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
61—highest since noon yesterday.
41—lowest this morning and during the night.
57—this day, at noon.
BAROMETER, 29 .82.
WIND W. S.W.—fine sunshiny weather.

--
DAILY WEATHER TABLE.
n
State of the Wind and Weather at each. of the following
Paces at Nine o'clock yesterday morning.-The g.-The stations
a -e arranged in order of latitude.
KDIGSTODLTELLN ) -
wind N.W., gentle breeze-
partially cloudy.
PLYMOUTH-W Ind N.W., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
Flo RTSHOUTH-Wind W., gentlw breeze- overcast.
BRIGHTON-Wind W., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
H A STINGS -w• d N., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
SOUTHAMPTON--Wind S.W., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
FOLKESTONE-Wind W., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
TUNBRIDGE-Wind S 'N., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
BASINGSTOKE - Wind S.W., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
G KE h. N W IC 11-Wind SW , gent le breeze-partially cloudy
sw-moos-Wind W., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
COLCHESTER-Wind S.E., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
CAMBRIDGE-Wind S.W., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
YARMOUTH-Wind W., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
EIot.THEAD-Wind N., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
LIVERPOOL-Wind S.W., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
IT BY - Wind W., gentle breeze - principally clear.
'DARLINGTON-Wind S S.W., gentle breeze-Cloudless.
CARLISLE - Wind W., strong breeze-cloudless.
BEArrocß-Wind N.W., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
The returns from the following places indicate the state of
tle wind and weather on Tuesday morning at nine
,'clock :-
CORK-Wind W., strong breeze-cloudy.
LtmEnicß-Wind S. W., gentle breeze-partially cloudy.
likeosTowN (Duer.LN)- Wind W.S.W., gentle breeze-
partially cloudy.
L LDIGIAR - ind W., gentle breeze-principally cloudy.
POOLE -Wind E , gentle breeze-scud, rain.
FIASTINGS-Wind S.W., gentle breeze-rain.
auger-Wind S.W., gentle breeze-overcast.
BIRaIniGHAM Wind S.E., gentle breeze-overcast.
NerzaegaguGH-Wind S.W., gentle breeze-cloudy.
LEEDS - Wind S.W.. gentle breeze- partially cloudy.
YORK-Wind S., calm-partially cloudy.
CARLISLE-1y ind S. W., gentle breeze-cloudy.

At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height
of the barometer in the week was 29.776 in. The mean
temperature was 46°•3. The wir.d was in the east or north•
east during the first four days; and duri.-g this period the
mean daily temperatu e was about 42°, or about 5° below
the average of the same day in ten years. During the last
three days the wind was in the south and south-west, and
the mean temperature rose 10 degrees higher, or from 4° to
6.) above the average.

.et 6k) ‘1
.0%1 C..) I • .44
.gib r
Al
.• Wiljth D I E.; •31 0 tt;t'
• •
.4%

MITo A
:Atit
LONDON, THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1851.

historian discern the true nature of the disease, why
do they not propose suitable remedies ? why do they
not direct the exertions of their party towards the
attainment of a measure that would afford im-
mediate relief, and which might be car-
ried, if the public attention were properly directed
thereto ? But, in place of pursuing this rational
course, they go with the stream and join in
the cry that cannot lead to any practical result.
Each may exclaim, Video meliora, proboque, deteriora
sequor. We would not speak, save in terms of the
utmost respect, of the talented author of" Free Trade
and a Fettered Currency." There is no person more
competent than he is to explain the true nature of
the " currency question," and to bring conviction to
his auditors. If he devote himself to the task, we
venture to assert that he will produce a greater effect,
and attract a more numerous, far more intelligent
audience than be can do by any Protectionist ha-
rangues, however graceful the diction or astute the
arguments advanced.

We need scarcely remind the taxpaying commu-
nity that the question of the income-tax is the first
to be decided on the re-assembling of Parliament after
the Easter recess. On the conduct of the chosen
representatives of the people during the early part of
next week, it will depend whether the gross and un-
paralleled injustice of placing in the same class, and
assessing at the same rate, incomes derived from real
estate, from dividends, from the public funds,
or from safe investments in chartered com-
panies, and the precarious profits of trade, or the
hard-earned wages of physical or intellectual
toil, is or is not to be continued for three years longer
The inequality and unfairness of this system has been
so frequently and so ably exposed, that it would ap-
pear to be almost a work of supererogation to add to
the numerous and convincing arguments that have
already been put forward. It seems to be like an
attempt to

" Gild refined gold,
To paint the lily, or to throw a perfume on the violet;"
but it is, unhappily, rendered necessary by the
blundering stupidity and unreasoning obstinacy of
the man who, unfortunately for the nation, is placed
at the head of the Exchequer, and enabled, by the
culpable apathy and carelessness of the people, to
carry out his financial hobbies. Sir CHARLES WOOD
will only condescend to inform us that he has
" arrived at a conclusion," or that " a tax produces so
many thousands per annum, which he is certainly not
prepared to relinquish," and thinks that those stereo-
typed answers should be considered satisfactory by
the sufferers. It is not, however, because an unjust
and impolitic system has been patiently submitted to
for a few years, under peculiar circumstances, that the
aggrieved parties will consent to its being perpe-
tbated, or to the greater portion of the burden being
placed on the shoulders least able to sustain it.
Ile constitutional theory is, that every man
shall contribute to the liquidation of the
national liabilities and the maintenance
of the national establishments secundum statum et
facultates, according to his means and the position
which he occupies in the country. is this principle
recognized when one man pays only one-thousandth
part of the actual value of his available capital, while
another is compelled, perhaps, to hand over every
shilling in his possession to the tax-collector, and not
improbably to become a borrower, in order to satisfy
the claim ? Is it just that the person with 4,9001. in
the Three per Cents., leading an idle life, and making
his certain income of 1471. per annum, paid to the
very hour, go farther by living at the other aide of
the Channel, and enjoying the untaxed luxuries at-
tainable on the continent, should be exonerated from
the tax, while the struggling clerk, who has to sup-
port a large family in the most expensive locality on
his salary of 1501. per annum, must, in addition to
paying 200 per cent. duty on his tea, 800 per cent.
on his tobacco, and also contributing heavily in pro-
portion to the value on his coffee, sugar, beer, wine,
spirits, and others of these unwonted luxuries to a
man in his position, hand to the tax•gatherer
the sum of 41. 7s. 6d. per annum, and this although
be may not have the means of supporting his family
fur a single week in the event of sickness or being out
of employment, and could not leave sufficient to de-
fray his funeral expenses in the event of death de-
priving his afflicted wife and helpless children of their
only provider ? It is indeed a monstrous anomaly,
that the man who, in justice and equity, should be
taxed most heavily, is permitted to escape scot free, to
snap his fingers in the face of the tax-gatherer, while
the man who, on every principle of sound policy,
should be encouraged and sustained in his arduous
course, is most heavily assailed in every part of his
career. From the hour of his rising in the morning
until retiring at night, at every meal he partakes of,
at any relaxation he may venture to indulge
in, the hand of the tax-collector is percepti-
ble appropriating a considerable portion of his
earnings. The moment he can accumulate
and lay by anything he becomes a proper subject
for taxation. Let him contribute to the national ex-
penditure in proportion to the value of his savings,
and let there be no exemptions of any kind, for
every exemption directly and almost necessarily
leads to fraud. If a man possess but 100/.
there is no reason why he should not pay on that
amount. His industry alone should be free, so that
he should have every assistance to put by and accu-
mulate capital. Once more, then, and while there is
vet time, we call on all wiro feel themselves ag-
grieved by the present most inequitable system
to make an exertion proportioned to the importance of
the subject. Let them bestir themselves actively and
energetically, while there is yet time. But if,
through their own carelessness and apathy,
the favourable opportunity is thrown away,
and the galling chains rivetted for a further
term of three years, let them not indulge in unmanly
complaints and lamentations, but consider that they
themselves are chiefly to blame, and determine by
their future conduct, more especially at the hustings
during the next general election, to remove the
reproach to which they are justly liable, and to show
their determination to secure for themselves a just
and equitable measure, in the Parliamentary session
of 1854.

The Protectionists, encouraged by the near
chance of attaining office through the weakness of the
present Ministry, and the universal disgust excited by
" the precious Budget," have anticipated the period of
their usual symposia. There are always persons ready
and willing to gorge themselves to repletion, and to
imbibe bumpers pottle deep for the "good of their
country." And in truth our Protectionist friends have
at all times exhibited the utmost promptitude in dis-
playing such acts of patriotism. The " ruined agri-
culturists" never hesitated at the outlay of a few
sovereigns when certain of obtaining a good
dinner, followed by good wine, di-penned with
no niggard hands. It would be a bad cause, or
at least one of very little interest, that could not in-
duce some hnndreds to assemble together in its name.
Why, then, should we feel astonished if the Music
Hall at Edinburgh should be crowded, when the
worthy bucolics might be enabled there to see the
lions of monopoly trotted out for their especial delec-
tation,—why should we be surprised if the gaping
rustics should desire for "the nonce" to rub their
skirts with real live Peers and Members of Parliament,
to partake in the post-prandial enjoyments of legisla-
tors, hereditary and elected, more especially when
we consider the exertions made to beat up for fitting
recruits to take part in " the grand demonstration ?"
Well, the banquet has taken place. Five or six
hundred persona have had an excellent dinner. They
have seen three or four noblemen with seats in the
House of Lords, perhaps an equal number having
titles by courtesy, and eight or ten representatives of
Protectionist constituencies. They have heard very
eloquent speeches from Sheriff ALISON and Professor
ArTourr, and some not quite so brilliant from other
speakers, in one of which an Honourable M.P., if not
directly, at least by implication, termed a Noble
Member of the House of Commons, "an aris-
tocratic buffoon." They have drank with enthusiasm
the :toast of the " tenant farmers," nine-tenths of
the assembly belonging to the class to whose welfare
soci prosperity the bumper was devoted, while the
parties whose pecuniary advantage they were really
endeavouring to promote—the " landocracy"—were
passed over sub silentio. But, for all that, we beg to
assure them that the bread-tax is not, nor will it be,
restored, may, more than that, at this moment the
recognised leaders of the party in either House would
not venture to impose an import duty on corn, even if
they had sufficient strength inside the_walls of Parlia-
ment to carry such a proposition. The poor man's loaf
can never again be taxed for the benefit of the privi-
leged few. The advantages of the " large loaf" are
too well known and too fully appreciated in the
humble households of hard- worked artiz ins and
operatives throughout the length and breadth of the
land, to he easily surrendered. The parties who have
benefited by the change, who have been enabled to
satisfy the cravings of their hungry children with a
sufficiency of plain and wholesome untaxed food, wid
not be cajoled into consenting to the revival of the
burden they have shken off, by the assurance that a
ss. fixed duty would " only increase the price of the
loaf by one halfpenny, and that would not be much
complained of—if (oh, this if, it possesses miracu-
lous qualities)—they got their beer ld. per pot
cheaper !" Even were the vague expectation to be
realised, and the revenue derived from the new duty
were sufficient to enable the CHANCELLOR of the
EXCHEQUER to strike off the malt-tax (and it should
be recollected that it would require an importation of
no less than twenty millions of quarters of corn an-
nually to produce such a result), there are
few who would not reject the exchange with
disdain —who would not prefer that the
children's hunger should be satisfied rather than the
fathers thirst; that there should be a sufficiency of
food for all, rather than too much drink for one. We
do not by any means undervalue the obtaining a
cheap and good glass of beer for the working man.
Taken in moderation, it is a wholesome beverage, cal-
culated to improve his health and strength ; but we
must also add that it is by no means of equal import-
ance in the domestic economy, to " the staff of life"
—a cheap and good loaf—the article of primary ne-
cessity in the cottages and garrets of the labouring
population of the country.
The Noble
Chairman said that, " if when the price
of wheat fell to
388. per quarter, the interest on the
national debt were to be reduced to some eighteen
millions, he could understand it, DEATH OF SIR CLAUDIUS STEPHEN HUNTER, BART.
but_ that he and was not sure —This venerable baronet died on Sunday last at ortimer-
might become a Free-trader himself."
Does he not perceive that the which bill. Barks, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. A vacant
evil to he alluded
w hi
which
we
free recognise
trade, seat is thus caused in the Court of Aldermen, of which Sir
; Claudius was the father. He was elected alderman of the
and the magnitude of
he can do, is not produced baustfubyllyouars ward of Bridge Without in 1804, a period of nearly half a
century since.
infamous monetary code? that it would not be reme- CHICHESTER..--DEATH Or HARRY COMPER, ESQ.—
died by a corn-law, whichThean dteocoekasel of this benevolent alind Llgely,roens gentle-
wouldaoendTuesd
serve one m
class only at the expense of the rest of moning, ;flee atdvalencreediaegee oef ninety years. His long lire
the community, but by the repeal of the Acts of 1819 thad been almost entirely spent in this city, which he n-
and 1844, and the establishment of judicious By stem b
eyr e
ad,
Ina to
as, vuenrypaeraarlllyeleage,d e
xa se r at
ino
na p prreewn
at ircdee ap
edr rhaappesr, ;
with
of currency that would afford a circulating medium-- more than the usual success by which it is accompanied, he
the very life-blood of industry—adequate to the amassed
da large fortune, sod has been for many years senior
and head of the principal banking establishment in
wants and exigencies of the country. This would this city.
afford real protection to British industry of all de- SUICIDE BY A PRISONER AT THE HOUSE OF CORm
scriptionx, without exception or drawback. Sheriff Its:rum—On Monday last an inquest was held before the
n coroner at the House of Correction, over the body of
ALISON, too, showed that he clearly understood the
eWin. Doherty, aged 31 years, Mr. Jackson stated that the de-
true condition of the question, when he pointed out fllapsrei isownmasesnetnte7led last quarter sessions to three months'
an
that the effect of the boast of the organ of the Irishman, and in gooe lcil:eaeltn:iwiTeankeeortrade.tte
bym
eforwtn;
splZendecomemd geadde an incision in his neck. Witness had
bullionists of making one sovereign at the! s
pre. ent day do the work which two could ceased said that he dpreviousoneit
forto his death when the de-
previously have performed, or, In other words,
sheimself ease, and not with any intention the purpose of giving
of destroying
self. Mr. Thompson,
that a sovereign now possesses double the purchasing
stated that he attends.; the surgeonlee to the House of Correction,
power that formerly belonged to it, was practically to about two inches and a half longeaasaeliwtahat theh wound was
double the weight of our public burdens—to make istarta, and on the left side of the throat closien
d not touched any vital part. He h
tc inches deep in one
the windpipe.
fifty millions of taxation as heavy as a hundred mil- ceased bad died from the effects of the wound.—Verdict,
no doubt !k-
-hans. But,"then the Nubia Lord and t " Aviles the effects of ilea wound • . ound.—Verdict,
the emMen min unioga •4 „ lalib•cted by the de-
mr2A'ittagktes Arerevev.