The Sun.
London, England, 1832-11-02 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—In your Paper of last Thursday were some ob-
servations respecting the substitution of a small postage on
newspapers for the present stamp duty; I can but remark
that you left out the strongest arguments in favour of such
an alteration. Admitting, as you did, an increase of
20 for 1 in the circulation of newspapers, you omitted the
important fact, that supposing such increase to take place,
the duty of 3d. per lb. on the additional paper consumed
would amount to more than the stamp duty taken off.
This alone, as a measure of finance, would he important,
but it almost sinks into insignificance in comparison with
the certainty that so vast an increase in the circulation o'
newspapers would provide employment to at least 50,000
additional persons, as paper-makers, ink-makers, type-
founders, printers, &c. throughout the kingdom.
The taxes on manufactured paper and on newspapers,
like those on glass and on windows, operate against each
other, and it is most extraordinary that such palpable in-
consistences have existed so long. Instead of encouraging
the consumption of an article on which a tax is laid, it
appears to have been the object of legislators to hedge it
round with cross duties, as if it were their intention to
lessen its produce.
A small Excise tax on about a dozen articles of home
produce in universal demand would enable the Govern-
ment to dispense with the Assessed Taxes, without adding
to the burthens of the people; but then the article must
have fair play, it must not be taxed two or three different
ways, either openly or covertly.-1 remain, Sir,

Your obedient servant,
Ramsgate, Oct. 22. W. A. HUNT.

DRURY LANE.

However much blame may be attached to theatrical
managers for encouraging foreigners, introducing farces
and melo•drames " brent new" from France, to the dis-
couragement and prejudice of the legitimate English drama,
the lessee of this theatre has nothing to account for on this
score : and consequently may look for the support of all
those who have been loud in exclaiming against what has
been called the ruin of good acting. Independent of a
variety of English plays which have been performed since
the opening of the theatre, we have had in the course of
the week the Beaux Stratagem and the Hypocrite—
last evening the School for Scandal, with the uromise of
Macbeth for this evening, and the Merchant of Venice
for Monday. The cast of that celebrated comedy of
SHERIDAN'S has been made with great judgment, and
ought to ensure its frequent repetition. FARREN, DOWTON'
BRAHAM, MACREADY, COOPER, HARLEY, with Mrs.
GLOVER, and Mrs. NESBITT, form a strong corps, and
would insure common success even in an ordinary piece,
but something more in a play which has been so long a
favourite of the public. FARREN'S acting in the character
of Sir Peter Teazle is so well known, that it is necessary
only to say, that his performance last night was fully
equal to any thing he has yet done. DowTON appeared as
Sir Oliver Surface. and met with another hearty recep-
tion from a much more crowded audience than that of last
night, and throughout the part kept up the good opinion
which they evidently entertained of him at first. His
acting in the first interview with Charles Surface (Mr.
Coorea,) and at the sale of the pictures, as well as •in
the interview with Sir Peter after the screen scene,
were all admirable, and excited loud applause. We
never saw Mr. COOPER act better than he did last
night. He was much less formal and stiff than he
is on some occasions, and indeed went through the part
with a degree of ease and similitude to real life which we
hardly expected of him. MACREADY too, with a few ex-
ceptions, did great justice to that hypocritical and selfish
villain Joseph Surface. Mrs. GLOVER had her favourite
part as Mrs. Candour, and performed it in her usual
excellent style. Mrs. NESBITT is not the best Lady
Teazle we have seen, but on the whole she acted vet),
respectably, and in one or two scenes established a claim to
still higher praise. Her explanation to Sir Peter, and
her denunciation of Surface at the close of the screen
scene, were in the best style of acting. The comedy al-
together was admirably performed, and was announced for
repetition on Tuesday, with unanimous approbation. Mr.
CoorEk, at the fall of the curtain, informed the audience
that Mr. KEAN had been engaged, and would appear on
Monday in the character of Shyloch. This announcement
was received with loud and general applause.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE arrived al
Paris on Monday.

ELECTION MATTERS.

WESTMINSTER REGISTRATIONS.

The Revising Barristers, Messrs. &cams and Mom,
sox, yesterday attended at the Guildhall, to give their
final decision in those cases where the qualifications of
claimants to vote had been referred for further consideration.

Mr. Sutton claimed the franchise on the ground that be
occupied a house, for which the landlord paid the rates,
hut he paid the landlord an increased rent in consideration.
—Claim disallowed, on the ground that he had not claimed
to be rated of the parish.
Mr. Douglas claimed, as joint occupant of a house in
King-street. He admitted he was in the situation of a
lodger, but he contended for his right to a vote, because
he paid a portion of the rates in his rent. If he had no
right to vote, be could not see upon what equitable prin-
ciple the franchise could be extended to the occupiers of
chambers in the Inns of Court.
Mr. THOMPSON stated the distinction between Inns of
Court, chambers and lodgings, and concluded by reading
Lord Hardwicke's opinion, which was to the effect, that
a lodger could not be deemed an occupier of a house.—
Claim refused.

Mr. Hodge, Swallow-street, claimed as having a 21
year's lease of his house, paying all rates and taxes for the
last four years. 11, Lad been informed that be was dis-
franchiseti because the poor rate had not been paid on the
31st of July. Now the parish in which be resided had a
special Act relating to the making and collecting the poor-
rate, and the reason why he had not paid his poor-rate
was, that the amount was demanded before it wag due.
Mr. KEENE was of opinion, that as the condition im•
posed by the new Act had not been complied with, he mull
disallow the vote.
The Court finished the lists by three o'clock.