The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-09 00:00:00

that, under th© circumstances, he can
propose new imposts, but it is almost equally
certain that he will offer but little relief
from the new burdens which ho has created. The
Income Tax will still remain in all its oppressive
inequality, until April, 1858, at Is. 41 in the
pound, or nearly i per cent. on the earnings of
the industrious middle class. The increased Malt
Tax will still vex the " thirsty souls," while
the exorbitant Spirits Duties will stimulate
the demoralising trade in illicit alcohol.
Nor will any triumph be given to Teetotallers. To
them the duties on Tea, Coffee, and sugar, on
" the cup that cheers without inebriating," and
" the corn of the tropics," will prove that the
Financial Minister intends not to give in his
adhesion to the Maine liquor law.
Men of all parties will do well to consider the
subject before the financial statement is brought
forward, so as to be prepared to hit " the right
nail on the head," at the only moment which,
according to red-tapists, will neither be too early
nor too late for moving amendments in the finan-
cial policy of Ministers. Mr. DISRAELI will have
opportunity of taking a glorious revenge. It was
on this budget—far better than any since sub-
mitted to the country—that the DERBY Adminis-
tration were expelled from office. He may now
produce " a Roland for an Oliver," that scattered
his forces, and sent his colleagues to enjoy the
sweets of private life, unalloyed by the cares and
vexations of official labour.

A question was lag night brought under the
consideration of both Houses of Parliament, on
which persons of all shades and varieties of poli-
tical opinion could cordially and unanimously
agree. Whatever differences might exist on other
points, there could be none as to the zeal and effi
ciency displayed by the great body of those en-
gaged in the different branches of her MAJESTY'S
service. Whatever doubts might exist respecting
the skill or activity of the commanders, whether
by land or by water, there could be no difficulty
as to the unflinching valour and patient endurance
of the officers and men under their control and
direction. Whatever they had to do, they accom-
plished, so far as it was practicable. Mr. DISRAELI
truly remarked of the Army, that " there was
hardly any variety of warfare which had not been
proved during their course. There was the
pitched battle—the protracted siege—the heights
triumphantly gained—the heights defended with
success. Throughout these campaigns, so
numerous were the traits of individual heroism,
such were the wonderful effects produced by the
determination of the soldiers, that were we to
search the most glorious annals of past wars, we
shoull scarcely be able to find a match for the
ochievements of our contemporaries."

This beautiful and truthful tribute to the de-
voted gallantry of the men well merited the en-
thusiastic cheers which it elicited from all sides of
the House. Officers and men had faithfully
discharged the important duties confided to
their charge. Whether their efforts were
required at the moment of emergency,
when their brethren were falling thickly on
every side, and each man felt that his
own fate might be the same the next minute, or
whether they were suffering the most fearful
privations, their conduct was still exemplary.
They passed through every ordeal without stain or
impeachment, and by their achievements in the
field and iu the trench, for dash or for patience,
probably a more formidable test, have never been
surpassed, if they have been equalled, by tht
most distinguished of their predecessors.
The British. soldier has been weighed in the
balance and not found wanting, and an unexcep-
tionable witness, one whose name has become a
household word in every English mouth, har
added her indisputable testimony in their favour.
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE, the heroine par excellence
of the War, says :—" I have never been able to
join in the popular cry about the recklessness,
sensuality, and helplessness of the soldier. l
should say (and, perhaps, few have seen more of
the manufacturing and agricultural classes of
England than I have before I came out here) that
I have never seen so teachable and helpful a class
as tho army generally. Give them opportunity
promptly and securely to send money home, and
they will use it. Give them schools and lectures,
and they will come to them. Give them books
and games of amusements, and they will leave
drinking. Give thep work, and they will do it.
Gii'e them suffering, and they will bear it. I
would rather have to do with the army than with
any other class I have ever attempted to serve,
and when I compare them with . . . . I am
struck with the soldier's superiority as a moral,
and even an intellectual, being."
To add anything to this would be merely
" gilding refined gold," would weaken the case
we desire to support--would lessen the claims of
that noble army, whose " devoted gallantry in
the field—whose unflinching courage in the hour
of battle, and, above all, whose patient heroism in
the midst of disease and famine, and privations of
every description—keeping alive, under all diffi-
culties and discouragements, nit only the strictest
discipline, but the most fearless valour and un-
hesitating devotion to duty—reflect more credit
on them than any army ever gained before."

Nor so far as the occasion allowed did our gal-
lant tars less distinguish. themselves. They ex
hibited, whenever an opportunity offered, the
highest qualities of British .se.amen. The Union
Jack, under their charge, maintained its proud
pre-eminence, and
_passed through the ordea,
untarnished by a single blemish.
The militia also well and truly Performed their
duty. It was not merely that they-supplied-more
than 33,000 volunteers to the line, and thus fed
its exhausted ranks, but wherever their services
were required there they were willing to go.,
Not only were ten regiments employed on
foreign services but thirty-seven more tendered
their aid, as they would have done in the Orime4
itself, if occasion required, and they were per-
mitted to have exhibited their zeal and gallantry
in the face of the enemy under arduous circum-
stances. Tf we have not alluded more particu-
larly to the Mt urines, the Naval Brigade, and
others engaged in the contest, it is not from want
t
of due appreciatic )11. There cannot be a higher
tribute of praise than that they well and faith-
ft3 r o
t dischargedes
of
will be accorded to each and all, not merely by
0,
both Houses of Parliament, but by
the cordial
and unanimous concurrence of the
entire people, by 2
from the from the Peer to the Pea-
sant,m ionnaire to the humble opera-
tive who earns :kik-• d •
aily bread by his daily
labour.

tellmem....• 0p.....,

The parties chiefly affected by the oversights
of Lord CLARENDO.) ; are already astir. Repudiated
Circassia andOmh iatened Belgium have both
spoken. In the I ;elgian Chambers the excite-
ment was very consi arable. In reply to questions,
the Foreign Minist ,er stated that he had not yet
received official infoz .mation of the language adopted
by the
Plenipoten6.l tries at Paris respecting the
Press of his county y, but that " when that com-
munication did t: tke place the answer would be
ready, and would '
be communicated to all Govern