The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-01 00:00:00

long array of figures, and, unlike tco many con-
tinental nations, we are accustomed to the esti-
mates of our financial ministers being within
rather than without the mark. This fortunate
state of things might, indeed not unreasonably,
have been expected to meet with some interrup-
tion this year, since the last twelve months has
been one of continued depression and stagnation of
trade. Everywhere there were complaints, and
every one in his own private circle must
have ample opportunities of realising the truth of
such complaints. But wonderful to relate, the
Revenue tables give us little or no indication of the
general dulness. They go on steadily increasing,
and Mr. DISRAELI, like his eminent predecessor,
has continual cause for gratification in presenting
them to the public. _ _

The quarter's revenue for the three months just
ended was £17,781,925, showing an increase on the
corresponding quarter of last year of £318,261.
This increase was as usual mainly due to the Ces-
toms, which produced £228,000 more in this June
quarter than in that of 1866. The sum total of the
quarter's receipts from this profitable source was
close upon Eve millions and a half, and their steady
increase speaks well for the general prosperity of
the people. In the year ending June 30 the increase
is over a million and a quarter, so that in spite of
the general grumbling it seems that we have been
buying tea, sugar, tobacco, wine and spirits, and
other articles of pleasant luxury, at a greater rate
than we have done before. The Excise last June was
more than usually profitable, and the quarters im-
mediately succeeding were also very productive. We
must bear this in mind when we find the principal
decrease of the quarter coming under this head. The
decrease in the quarter from the Excise is £116,000,
but the year shows an increase of £487,000, so that
there is no reason for uneasiness at the temporary
diminution The Post-office is certain to be found
in the " Increase" division, and it goes on at a
steady rate of progression which is almost marvellous.
The quarter give us an increase of £BO,OOO, the
twelvemonth of £200,000. It may very fairly be
asked by the public whether in face of this large and
increasing income the Post-office might not give a
little of the benefit to the public by reducing a few
of their charges. The " Penny Post" leaves
no room for complaint, but there are
many exceptional charges which are vexatious,
and many minor points on which the administration
of affairs might be improved. The time has cer-
tainly come when the public may in fairness ask
that a portion at least of the large surplus yearly
derived from the Post-office may be returned to
them indirectly by the improvement of the service
itself. The Stamps show an increase of £64,000,
and the other items are not noticeable. The sum
total of the returns is highly satisfactory, and,
unless the remainder of the financial year grievously
disappoints the promise of the first quarter, we
may look forward with:confidence to the production
of a Budget which shall lighten still further the
burdens of the people.

Mr. GLADSTONE appeared to full advantage on
Saturday, when he presided at the anniversary
dinner of the Newspaper Press Fund. The speech
which he made in proposing the chief toast of the
evening was most interesting, and he fully entered
into the spirit of the affair. First of all, the right

hon. gentleman was able to congratulate his hearers

upon the success which this institution has met
with, although it is one of the youngest of our public
institutions. In pursuing this theme, Mr. GLAD-

STONE e,aid that the interests of the public were

" We have lived

bound up with those of the press.
into times when the newspaper is a great social,
political, and moral power, one so great that it can-

not be overlooked by any of those who would corn

prehend the character of their country, or the
nature of those processes by which the movement
of a mighty nation is directed." It seems to follow

then, as a matter of course, that those who are in-
thnately connected and associated with this great
undertaking arc deserving of encouragement, and
the purpose of this institution is a laudable one, for
it aims at establishing more perfect ties of goodwill

and of interest in the members of this profession,
and likewise to afford an opportunity to others not
exactly connected with them of showing interest
and to further its progress and success. It needed
not Mr. GLADSTONE'S powerful reasoning to show
the advantages of such a society, nor hip great
eloquence to advocate its cause, but still it is satis-
factory that he should have done so in many re-
spects, for there are many who, from ignorance
and inattention, are unaware of the nature of
these institutions, and they are more likely to be
persuaded into recognising merits they have
hitherto ignored if their claims are put forward
by those who have high standing in society, and
and great reputation in the ranks of dis-
tinguished men.

It is meet and honourable, as the Chairman said,
for the members of classes to unite together by con-
tributions that are given by individuals in the day
of their prosperity, and which are intended to meet
the wants of those who may occasionally fall into