The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-06 00:00:00

THE REPEAL OF THE HOP DUTY.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, Nov. 5.
An important meeting of the most influential hop
planters of Kent and Sussex was held in this town
to-day, in order to organise an agitation in favour
of the total and unconditional repeal of the hop
duty.

The Hon. Mr. Brand, M.P., presided ; and among
those present were Mr. Dobson, M.P., Mr. M.
Body, Mr. G. P. Bacon, and other gentlemen con-
nected with the Hop Excise Duty Repeal Associa-
tion. The meeting was held in the Sussex Hotel,
and the large room was densely crowded, between
400 and 500 hop planters being present.
The Hon. Mr. BRAND, M.P., in opening 'the
proceedings, said that it gave him the greatest plea-
sure to take part in the movement. Ever since he
had consieered the question he had been opposed
to the continuance of the excise duty upon hops,
and it was his decided conviction that until the
repeal of that duty was effected the cultivation of
that important plant would never be in a healthy
and satisfactory condition. It was of no use to
talk of the relaxation of the duty • it must be re-
pealed altogether. (Cheers.) He 'never could
understand on what ground this particular plant,
of all others, should be selected for taxation, nor
could he comprehend why it was that the planter
of hops was to be the only individual who was to
be visited in his fields and grounds by the excise-
man. (Hear.) He strongly recommended to all
who were interested in the cultivation of hops not
to rest until they had secured the total repeal of
the duty. (Cheers.) They might rely upon it that
they would have all the assistance he could give
them in making this attempt, for nothin could
afford him greater satisfaction than to be able here-
after to say that he had some small part in accom-
plishing the object for which this meeting was
held. (Cheers.) It was not at all necessary for
him to enter into a lengthened statement of the
merits of the question, which had been frequently
canvassed, and with respect to which the practical
men whom he saw before him were so well in-
formed. It was one in which Kent and Sussex
were alike interested, and therefore he trusted that
they wottld go hand in hand together upon it.
(Hear.) If they did, he had little fear for the
results of this agitation; but if, on the other hand,
they were induced to listen to the different schemes
which had from time to time been suggested, they
would most assuredly fail. He hoped that nothing
would induce them to support any proposition for
the mere diminution of the duty on hops. They
must obtain their whole object or nothing, for a
compromise would be ruinous. It was only by the
total repeal of tye duty that the business of the hop
planter could be rendered prosperous. (Cheers.)
Mr. OVERY then moved—" That a memorial be
presented to the Lords of the Treasury, praying for
the total and unconditional repeal of the excise duty
on hops."
Mr. BURY seconded the resolution.
The SECRETARY then proceeded to read the me-
morial, which stated the grievances of the hop
planters at great length, and prayed the Lords of
the Treasury to take into consideration the diffi-
culties and extreme embarrassment in which they
found themselves, owing to the operation of the
duty. It also implored their lordships to avert the
absolute ruin in which they would be involved if
they were compelled, as they had been of late years,
to ask the indulgence of the Exchequer for the
further postponement of the payment of the duty.
It was also agreed to appoint a deputation to wait
on the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mr. DODSON, M.P., expressed, the very great
pleasure which he should feel in bringing the
subject before the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
in company with_ the other gentlemen who formed
the deputation, convinced as he was that there
never would be any chance for the bop
grower until the duty was entirely got rid of.
IVith respect to the question of a total or a partial
repeal of the hop duty, he admitted that there had
been some difference of opinion on the subject. He
thought that the planters who had associated them-
selves together to demand the total repeal of the
duty could do so on far better grounds—of common
sense and principle, and their arguments would all
be found embodied in the memorial. By the pre-
sent system there was one uniform duty upon all
hops whatever, whether good, bad, or indifferent,
and it was often paid long before the hops were
sold. Indeed, in some cases, the duty was paid
upon hops which were never sold at all. (Hear.)
The tax was not what it professed to be—a tax on
beer, because if it were it would be paid on the
manufactured article, but, as they knew very well,
the duty was paid on many hops which never found
their way to the brewers at all. (Hear.) 'Then,
again, the tax was one which was contrary to all
sound principles of political economy, because it
was one which was paid out of the pockets of the
producers. It was all very well for political econo-
mists to tell them that all taxes were eventually

paid by the consumer ; but in this case there wai,
as he had already reminded them, no consumer at
all with respect to some of the hops upon which
duty was paid ; and he defied any political econo-
mist whatever to find any pocket out of which the
duty could come, exe:pt that of the producer. Th is
aggravated to a very great extent the natural risk
of the planter, and it was besides one of so uncer-
tain a nature that after all it was of very little

value to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. If there-
-

fore, they went manfully and demanded its total
repeal as a matter of justice, they could do so with
a far greater degree of confidence in the ultimate
success of their efforts than those who asked for its
reduction, merely because they could only ask it as
a matter of kindness and charity. Even those who
clamoured for the removal of the war duty alone,
thereby admitted that it was proper that hops
should be taxed. They made the question not one
of principle, but convenience; wheras, by coming
forward and boldly demanding the repeal of the
tax on the question of its unsoundness, financially
considered, and its unfair bearing on the hop plan-
ters, they stood upon higher ground than those who
demanded the reduction or repeal of any other Ex-
cise duty whatever. (Cheers.)
The proceedings then terminated.

ANNIVIMSARY OF THE BATTLE OF
INKEILILI.LYX.

Yesterday being the anniversary of Inkermann,
or, as it was aptly termed, " the battle of the com-
mon soldiers," a grand fete was given at the Crystal
Palace in honour of the • occasion. It is scarcely
necessary to call attention to the events of that
great and glorious day, which will ever be remem-
bered with exultation wherever the English lan-
guage is known, although that feeling must b•
mixed with sorrow by the remembrance of the many
devoted heroes who fell before the overwhelming
force by which they were so suddenly and unex-
pectedly assailed. There is no event in our his-
tory in which the chivalric courage and un-
daunted fortitude of Britishtroops were so eminently
displayed as on the bloody field of Inkermann, and
the anniversary of that memorable battle must ever,
therefore, be dear to the national feelings of all
classes of our countrymen. It must in a special
manner be so to those who happily survived the
slaughter of that dreadful day, and the Crystal
Palace was therefore filled with hundreds of the
Coldstream and Scots Fusilier Guards, who took
so glorious a part in that memorable engagement.
In order to give the fete as much eclat as possible,
the company admitted free every soldier who pos-
sessed the Crimean decoration, and for the enter-
tainment of the visitors various sports and pastimes
by military competitors were introduced consisting
of Cumberland and west country wrestling, hurdle
races, single stick, jumping in sacks, jingling, &c.
The prizes offered by the company were, for the first
in wrestling and hurdle races, ten shillings; the
second five, and the third two-and-sixpence ; for
jumping in sacks and jingling, five shillings and
two-and-sixpence ; and for single-stick seven-and-
sixpence and five shillings. The amusement
created by these exhibitions of physical power and
activity was really beyond conception, and excited
the greatest laughter among the vast crowd who
attended on this occasion. The band of the Cold-
stream and Scots Fusilier Guards contributed to the
entertainments of the day, and the performances of
the latter regiment were no less conspicuous. The
beautiful grounds of the Palace were covered from
an early hour with a multitude of pleasure seekers,
.and the beauty of the day made the whole affair
pass over in the most delightful manner. •

rrHEATREROYAL RURY-LANE.I
Under the Management of Miss'L. Fyne and Mr. W.
Harrison.
THIS EVENING, Flotow's Opera, MARTHA. Characters
by Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Susan Pe, Mr. G. Honey, Mr.
.1". G. Patey, Mr. T. Gratton Kolly, Mr. Kirby, and Mr. W.
'lmre s on

Conductor—Mr. Alfred Mellon.
To conclude with a new Ballet Divertissement, LA FLEUR
D'AMOUR Mesdlles. L. Michelet, Morlacchi, and Pasquale.

ROYAL rRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean.
of
THIS EVENING will be presented Shakspere's Play
KING JOHN.
King John, 3lr. C. Kean—Constance, Mre. C. Kean.
Preceded by the Farce of
AWAY WITH MELANCHOLY.

THEATRE-ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckstone.
For the limetitiof Mr. Charles Mathews.
TIM; EVENING will be performed (first time) THE
TALE OF A COAT. Mr. Charles Mathews.
After which, THE DOWAGER. Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Mathews.
Followed by THE ETON BOY. Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Mathelis, &C.
And JACK'S RETURN FROM CANTON.

Cothmence at 7.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE,
Lessee and Directress, Miss Swanborough.
THIS EVENING, WOOING IN JEST AND LOVING
IN EARNEST : :Messrs. Selby, Parselle, and Miss Swan-
orough.
After which THE MAID AND THE MAGPIE.
Followed by THE BONNIE FISH WIFE.
And HY AUNT'S HUSBAND ; Mr. Swanborough, Mrs.
Selby, Miss .Ternan.
Commence at 7 o'clock.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE,
Westminster-road.
Sole Lessee, Mr. William Cooke.

The New Tariff :
Dress Circle, 3s. ; Upper Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, Is. ; Galleries, 6d.
Great and E:ctraordinary Sensation produced by the new and
brilliant Decorations—Splendid Act Drop—Magniiisent
Chandelier—Appropriate Scenery.
During the week the new and successful drama of
THE BATTLE OF BOTIIWELL BRIG.
With THE SCENES IN THE CIRCLE, comprising the
evolutions and equitations of the first Professors in the world
and their unequalled Stud'of Horses.
To conclude with a Farce called FAMILY JARS.
No fee for booking.

Stage Manager, Mr. R. Phillips.

CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.—
Proprietor—C. MORTON.
The public is most respectfully informed that the Frst
ARTS GALLERY, in connection with the above Hall, IS NOW
OPEN DAT AND NIGHT, from 11 o'clock a.m. until 12
o'clock p.m. The New Gallery contains an extensive Collec-
tion of Pictures, by Ancient and Modern Masters, and is also
devoted to Art productions generally. The Proprietor feels
he may confidently assert that, viewed altogether, the exist-
ing !tusic Hall, the New Fine Arts Gallery, and the recently
added Ante-Hall, will present an attraction which, whether
as regards the architectural beauty of the structures them-
selves, or the varied and hitherto unattempted combinations
within, will be found to be wholly without parallel in the
Kingdom.
The Mustcit ENTERTAINMENT commences as usual at
Seven o'clock.

THE WEATHER.-SUN OFFICE, Nov. 6.

THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADS.
53—highest since noon yesterday.
43—lowest this morning and during the night,
49—this day at noon.
BanosEETEn-3033.
WIND, North-Easterly ; fresh, with bitter cold sunshiny
weather.

THE SUN.

SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 6, 1858.

The PRINCE REGENT of Prussia has fully satisfied
the sanguine expectations that were indulged in

by the Liberal party in Europe respecting his con-
duct when he had the control of public affairs in
the important kingdom committed to his charge.

He has dismissed the reactionary Cabinet and ap-

pointed a liberal and enlightened Administration,
that will be accepted with joy by the people.

Herr VON MANTEUFFEL had perversely and obsti.

nately opposed the Regency. He played the
Russian 'game, and stubbornly refused conceding
the powers to the heir-presumptive to the Crown,
which were so urgently required for the welfare
and prosperity of the country, and proper conduct
of public affairs. At length he was conquered.
Even at the eleventh hour the necessarypowers were
conferred on the Prince Regent. The new leader
could not approve the proceedings of Herr VON
3IANTEUFFEL and his colleagues. He gently hinted
that their resignation would be accepted ; 'but al-
though it was " a tender case," the hint was not
be accepted. They had braved the Prussian
Chambers—continned in office, despite of over-
whelming majorities, and they thought that they
could also brave the REGENT, and cling to place
and power, despite the obstacles that would have
deterred any high-minded or honourable man.
The REGENT was not, however, to be bearded
with impunity. He had tried the efficacy of kind
advice ;and gentle pressure, but their influences
proving ineffectual, he had no alternative but to
try what virtue there might be in stones. He was
therefore driven to dismiss them summarily from
office, and to appoint others in the place from
which they were summarily ejected.
The constitution of the new Administration
has ocecasioned unalloyed satisfaction in Prussia.
It is decidecly liberal and constitutional, and in
those important respects offers a very decided con-
trast to the previous Administration. The Prince
of HOHENZOLLERN, the chief of the Administra-
tion, is a man against whose opinions no question
can be raised. He is the father of the Queen of
PORTUGAL, whose mild and gentle beauty won
golden opinions from all classes while she was en
route to Lisbon. But it is not as a Sovereign or
mediatised Prince that the Prussian Premier can
claim our sympathies. It is because he has always
supported the Liberal cause, that he has acted with
ability, fidelity, and zeal on the side of the consti-
tution, and that he has the all but universal sup-
port of the community at large, who regard his
appointment as a new charter of liberty—one that
will ensure the rights and privileges for which they
have naturally been solicitous.
He has associated with himself men whose
antecedents prove that he is thoroughly in earnest
in the course on which he has entered. The Baron
SCHLEINITZ, who now holds the Foreign portfolio,
had occupied the same position in 1849, when FRE-
mile]: WILLIAM took his oath to the constitution.
It was convenient to forget that solemn obligation,
to ignore and set aside every pledge given to the
people. Baron SCHIEINITZ had not that very
convenient conscience, and therefore he was set aside
by the very pliable Herr VON MANTEUFFEL at the
first opportunity. It is an auspicious omen for the
new Government that Prince HOHENZOLLERN has
availed himself of the great experience and judgment
of the honourable baron. Another of the new
comers—M. VON AUERSWALD—had been President
of the Berlin Cabinet in 1848. This was the
revolutionary period, when kings and kaisers were
on their good behaviour, and when any opposition
to the popular Wishes might have been fraught
with very dangerous consequences. The mere fact
that he was selected as Prime Minister at that
time speaks trumpet-tongued in his favour, and of
that of the chief by whom he has now been selected
for so arduous and important an office.
The most satisfactory, however, of the minis-
terial arrangements is that of General VON BoNIN
as Minister of War. He is a thorough Constitu-
tionalist in heart and soul, friendly to England,
and to the true interests of Prussia. His appoint-
ment is regarded as a direct blow to the interests
of the Autocrat, to which he has been invariably
opposed since the commencement of his political
career. Indeed, he was dismissed during the
Crimean war' from the very post he now occupies
with so much credit to himself and advantage to

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