The Sun.
London, England, 1833-04-29 00:00:00

officers as long as we have any indirect internal
taxation whatever), and thus again save a large
sum now spent in collection. The reduction or
abolition of the malt duty, without an open trade
in grain, would be a mere transfer of so much
revenue from the public to the pockets of the
landowners. Let what will be done they alone
roust receive a large part of it ; but in the cases
of the taxes we have last referred to, the
whole community, down to the hunibleq
artizan, would share among them the
entire advantage. Tlo deficiency which
would thus be created could be met by a very
small property tax, which, pressing with a weight
proportioned to the strength of all who have to
bear it, would hardly be felt by any except
those who have hitherto managed to provide
for themselves an exemption from all burdens.

The best accredited report, this morning, is
that Ministers will not think it necessary to re-
sign, on account of the defeat they sustained
from the motley opposition of Friday night,
but rather intend to propose some comprehensive
plan of taxation to the House suited to the occa-
sion. An issue of Exchequer Bills is talked of
the mode which will be adopted to meet the
deficiency for the present, reserving the dis-
cussion of the extent of the new taxes to a
calmer moment, and more mature deliberation.

We have before us the copy of a Bill to al-
low the people called Separatists to make a
solemn affirmation and declaration instead of an
oath. The principle of this Bill it is impossible
to praise too highly, and it would be superfluous,
after the long indulgence Quakers have enjoyed
in this respect, to argue upon the cruelty or de-
priving men of their civil rights, because a ten-
derness of conscience (a proof, if anything, of
special trust worthiness) makes them construe
literally the Divine command of " swear not at
all." What we would suggest to the promoters
of the Bill is to extend the application of this
principle beyond the case of the Separatists.
There are many besides the Quakers and Se-
paratists whose consciences are wounded by the
taking of an oath, and there can be no reason
why all should not have the same respect paid
to their feelings.

By the Paris papers we find that the Cham-
bers opened the new Session on Friday, when
M. DUPIN was re-elected President of the De-
puties, and Messrs. SCHONEN, ETIENNE, BE-
RENGER, and DELESSERT, Vice-Presidents.—
The accouchement of the Duchess de BERRI
at Blaye was hourly expected. She had refused
to see the four physicians despatched by Go-
vernment to inquire into the state of her health.
German papers mention that the agents Of
IBRAHIM PACHA are very active at Constanti-
nople ; that the SULTAN is in hourly danger of
his life; and that fears are entertained about bring-
ing the Russian troops into the capital, as the
sight of them might make the people desperate and
accelerate an explosion. The same authorities
state that ten thousand Russian infantry have
passed the Danube on their road to Constanti-
nople. Accounts from Berlin speak of a report
to the effect that a proposal has been made by
one of the European cabinets for diplomatic con-
ferences at V,enna, for the purpose of discussing
in common the affairs of !he Els%

Thesecond reading of Sir ANDREW AGNEW'S
Bill for the better observance of "the Sabbath,'
if not again put off; will come on to-morrow ;
whenever brought forward we doubt not it will
be dealt with as it merits.

In an age when all sects are left to the free
enjoyment of their religious opinions,—when
the Legislature is about to relieve even Jews
from political disdbilities,—when sectarians ate
multiplied beyond any former period, and the
shades and distinctions in religious opinions are
as varied as those of the human countenance,—
for any sect to set up its opinions on any points
as unerring, and to demand of the legislature to
enforce the observance of those opinions agains
all other sects, by legislative enactments, displays
either the most pitiable weakness, or the most
presumptuous hypocrisy. Like quacks and
mock doctors, our modern puritans have a quick
discernment of the weaknesses of human nature,
and a ready wit to turn them to account. Thus
they assume great anxiety for what they term a
better observance of the Sabbath, to secure the
support, or disarm the opposition of all those
weak but well disposed persons who would be
fearful their motives might be misconstrued if
they opposed a cry thus artfully got up.
Another cry is, that all this is for the benefit
of THE roots,—they well knowing the poor
would be the only sufferers by the proposed
enactments, and the only persons against whom
they could be enforced.

To benefit the poor, they would pervert Sun-
day from a day of rest, to a day of penance and
persecution ! To benefit the poor they would
close the baker's oven on a Sunday, and prevent
them from enjoying a hot dinner on the only
day very many can obtain it ! To benefit the
poor they would prevent their vending an
orange or a cake, to aid in honestly acquiring a
meal for themselves and children, which they
might otherwise want, or be driven to the pari,h
or to dishonest means to obtain ! To benefit the
poor, they would prevent a poor man who had
not the money on the Saturday, from buying a
meal on Sunday ! Alas ! alas !—What law,
moral or divine, would be violated by either ?

Some few years ago, the Puritans in America
petitioned Congress to prevent the mails run-
ning on Sundays. It is needless to say the
prayer of the petition was not granted. It was,
however, referred to a committee who conde-
scended to argue the matter in their report, from
which the following are extracts :
" If Congress should, by authority of the law, sanction
the measure recommended, it would constitute a legisl.it ye
.b.ci,ion on a religious controve:sy, on which even Chrs-
CI ins tliems.dves are at issue.
" Representatives are chosen to guard the rights; f
man, nut restrict the rights of conscience. Despots may
r.gard their subjects as their property, and usurp the di-
vine prerogative of preqcrihing their religious faith, but
the history of the world furnishes the melancholy demon-
stration, that the disposition of one man to coerce the
religious homage of another, springs from an unchas-
tened ambition, rather than a sincere devotion to an!,