The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-06 00:00:00

to the actual amount imposed, it gives scope to so
I many impositions and excuses for middlemen to
make their own profits that the retail charge rises
to an absolutely absurd amount. If the Malt Tax
were taken off, or even considerably reduced, there
would be more competition in the trade, more check
upon the brewer and retailer, and, above all, less
temptation to adulterate the beer by the vile com-
pounds at present introduced. The price and qua-
lity of retail beer is now so manifestly unfair that
it is quite time some change was made in the in-
terests of temperance and morality, as well as those
of economy, health, and comfort. Good wholesome
cheap beer would be the most powerful opponent
of that übiquitous enemy of our English indus-
trial life--the gin-palace.
The meeting held yesterday at the Freemasons'
Tavern was very largely attended. Lord BERNERS
was in the chair, by right, we suppose, of his thirty
years' consistent opposition to the tax. There was
a goodly show of noblemen and members of Par-
liament, so that the repeal is not likely to suffer
for want of advocates in either house. Besides
these direct politicians there were farmers, maltsters,
and others connected with the question in its
various aspects. Lord BERNERS, in his brief ad-
dress, spoke very sensibly, and urged, with reason,
that the question should not be regarded as a party
subject. This has, in fact, been the great weakness
of the abolitionists hitherto. They have relied too
exclusively on the rights of the farmer and the
agricultural class, without arguing the matter on
the broader basis of the :interest of the general con-
sumer. The removal of a considerable tax affects
all classes of taxpayers, so the interests of all de-
serve to be considered in a repeal which must be
felt somewhere. Lord BERNERS said, " I hold that
it is a great social question ; it is a question far
beyond the region of party feelings and party
politics ; it is a question which affects all classes—
the producer and the consumer alike." The noble
lord went on to show that it affected the producer

QPORTING.—JOIIN ROBERTS supplies the
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HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

THIS DAY.—Morning, 6h. 4m.—Afternoon, 6h. 20m
To-Monnow.-3lorning, Gh. 40m.—Afternoon, 7h. Om.

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LONDON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1866.

It must be a satisfaction to all classes of the com-
munity that Her MAJESTY is again appearing in
public, and passing through the ranks of her peo-
ple to open her Parliament. A long seclusion has
followed the sudden and severe shock of the death
of her illustrious CONSORT, but deep as was the
sympathy felt throughout the country, it is now
admitted on all sides that the period has arrived
when the duties of her exalted position can
with advantage be resumed by ller MAJESTY.
It cannot be said that this particular juncture is at
all a favourable one for the delivery of a Royal
Speech, and it would require far more skill and
dexterity than any of the present Cabinet possesses
to make the many crooked things look straight and
the many rough places smooth that abound in mat-
ters of home and foreign interest just at present.
Great allowances could be made for the difficulties
with which the Government has had to contend in
suddenly losing him who was its chief and director ;
but at the same time it must be admitted that the
chief obstacle to success has been interposed by
their own wilful mismanagement and perversity.
No one expects that much about Jamaica will ap-
pear in the Speech from the Throne—that subject
has now assumed a shape in which it is best
left alone and treated sub silentio. A pass-
ing allusion must be made, but we
may best realise the inconsistency of the
course taken by Ministers when we remember that
no commendation can be passed upon the authori-
ties in Jamaica in the Royal Speech, although a
notification of the approval of the Colonial Secre-
tary has already been signified to Mr. EYRE, and
read by him to the house of Assembly. A Sove-
reign has seldom had a more ungracious task to
perform than has her MAJESTY in the allusion to
this outbreak in Jamaica ; and slur it over as they
may, it may yet be the hill of difficulty they cannot
ascend in the coming session.

by the restrictions of the excise ; it affected the

consumer by making the difference of one-third in
the price of beer ; and it affected the labouring
classes most of all by driving men to the public-
house, where they fell into bad company, ran up
long scores they could not pay, and were served
with drugged intoxicating stuff which was neither
cheering nor invigorating. Mr. PUNNETT, of Kent,
urged that the principles of Free Trade should be
fairly applied to the case when there would be no
fear of the result. A Mr. READ, M.P. for East
Norfolk, in a speech which was amusing from the

intolerance and prejudice it displayed on this very
question of Free Trade reminded his hearers that
Lord RUSSELL had said many years since that if
he were in power when the corn-laws were repealed
the first tax which he would repeal would be the
Malt-Tax. We have yet to see, however, how far
Earl RUSSELL, the Premier of 1866, cares to be
reminded of the pledges of the Lord JOHN of 1830
or 1840.

It is was of course to be expected that Sir FITZ-
ROY KELLY, who has taken so prominent a part
in advocating the repeal, should be present at this
influential meeting, and his speech was, as usual,
able and to the point. He argued that the repeal
of the Malt Tax must naturally follow from the
reduction of other duties, and he brought forward
Sir ROBERT PEEL'S declaration that if the corn
laws were repealed there would be no answer to give
to the farmer when he claimed eval freedom for
barley and malt. Several other speakers followed
on the same ground, and there were not wanting
advocates on the humorous side of the
question. Ihe cup that " cheers but not inebriates"
came in for some very severe attacks, and one
might almost have thought the speakers were dis-
cussing the attractions of some deadly poison.
Great amusement was created by the statement
that a work by Dr. E. S3IITII, showing the evils and
dangers of too much tea drinking, had been dedi-
cated, by permission, to Mrs. GLADSTONE. But
still more laughter was produced when it turned
out that another book of still more decided anti-
teapot characteristics had been dedicated to the
Chancellor of the Exchequer himself ! Possibly
these volumes reached Carlton-house-terrace too
late to affect the Budget for 1865, but let us hope

Respecting the aspect of affairs in Europe,
although we are on amicable terms with all the
nations, much has transpired during the past year
to cause distrust, and to awaken suspicion in the
minds of all the independent and enlightened among
her MAJESTY'S subjects. The policy of Prussia,
both at home and abroad, has been a most mis-
chievous one, and likely to become more hurtful as
time proceeds and its plots are matured and de-
veloped—a domestic calamity such as had had no
parallel in the memory of the present generation.
It is, indeed, a painful topic, and yet one that
cannot fail to arrest attention and demand a
considerable share of notice in the Royal Speech.
In this important matter, again, the ' hesi-
tation and inactivity of Ministers have greatly
contributed to enhance the difficulty of their
position, and to put them in an unfavourable light
before the country. It is well that the meeting of
Parliament will in a great measure relieve them of
their responsibility, and devolve upon others the
task of suggesting remedies. So far as Ireland is
concerned, her MAJESTY has the gracious task before
her of congratulating the Parliament upon the
loyalty of her people, which was notified during the
recent discovery of the conspiracy. Reform is, of
course, the most notable subject in the Royal
Speech, and yet we are not likely to meet with
much discursive or detailed description. It is true
that when on previous occasions a great deal
was promised in the Royal Speech, very little was
afterwards done in the way of performance ; there-
fore, a meagre announcement of the fact that some
steps have been taken to form an estimate of the
requirements of the representation, and that the
attention of Parliament is invited to their considera-

that a careful perusal of the terrible statistics ad-
dressed directly to himself by Dr. DREWITT, and
Mrs. GLADSTONE'S resume of the arguments of Dr.
SMITH, may move the presiding genius of the

Exchequer at least to lighten, if not wholly to
remove, the burden of an obnoxious and oppressive

mpost.

It cannot be much a matter of surprise to any one
that the recent events in Prussia have created great
alarm and disquietude alike for the present and the
future. So great an innovation has not been made
upon the rights of the members of Parliament dur-
ing all the crusade carried on against freedom by
Herr VON BISMARCK, and therefore it follows as a
matter of course that men are on the alert who be-
fore this have been content to take a hopeful view
of the question, and to think that matters would

right themselves in the long run. They now find
to their horror and consternation that no time must
be lost if they would prevent their country from
being degraded in the eyes of Europe, and dis-
honoured in the annals of history.
Many passages may be quoted to prove that the

MARKETS.:--This Day.

late transactions that have taken place respecting
the prosecution of the members are contrary to the
spirit and the letter of the Constitution. It is dis-
tinctly stated that the members of both Houses
of Parliament cannot be considered as responsible
for their votes. " For the opinions expressed by
them in Parliament they can be held responsible
only by the House whose members they are, and
under the bye -laws enacted by the same." This definite
expression of opinion has hitherto been recognised
a

tion, may, or may not, mean that Ministers will
keep the word of promise to the ear and break it to
the heart. In all human probability, this session,

which inaugurates the seventh Parliament of her
MAJESTY'S reign, will be a stormy and eventful
one, and form a marked contrast to the tedium and
monotony of many past years, during -which the
Government have been indulging in a dolce far
niente.

The movement in favour of the repeal of the
Malt Tax is assuming formidable proportions, and
the Chancellor of the Exchequer can hardly afford
to disregard the claims of the abolitionists. They
appear resolved that the Government shall not be
able to bring that charge of indifference against
them which was so long considered a sufficient an-
swer to all appeals about Reform. The public does
not care for it or there would be more agitation
was the constant reply, and the very weariness and
disgust of the political professions which produced
an apparent inaction wore thus quietly made to
do duty in the cause of the very politicians whose
" words, not deeds" had given rise to the dissatis-
faction. The repeal of the Malt Tax has been com-
monly set aside as a party question, and conse-
quently all efforts to secure it have been regarded
as mere party movements, and the stronger side of
the 'louse has never taken it up. The public, on
the reform principle, was supposed not to care
theirabou pointtit,and the farmers were not likely to carry
unaided. The real objection with most
people has been that they apprehended the benefits
of the repeal would be divided between the landlords
and the brewers after the unsatisfactory fashion of
some 40 years since when the Beer Tax was removed.
Three millions were lost to the Exchequer, and
about a farthing in the quart was gained by the
public ! But the opinion is now gradually gaining
ground that after all it is a tax which affects the
consumer as much as the producer, 4:Lee, in addition

,nd admitted on all sides, aad the courts of law have
sided with the people in upholding these rights, and
preserving intact these privileges. Now, however,
a change has come over the spirit of the dream, and
we are to witness the infringement of those statutes
which contain the articles of the Prussian Constitu-

tion. Last year the Upper House passed by a large
majority a measure which proposed to restrict the
freedom of speech in the Prussian Parliament, but
no one believed that the thing would be carried to
such lengths as it has now unhappily been. The
most strenuous opposition will be made by the
Lower House to the execution of the Govern-
ment projects, and we find that so great

is the indignation experienced that it is
proposed to introduce a resolution affirming that
the cause pursued by the Supreme Tribunal has
constituted a breachnull
of privilege, and therefore
and void, and binding in no way. This is a very
extreme step to take, but quite justifiable under
the circumstances. At any rate, whatever evils
may ensue, we cannot say that the Deputies have
not done their duty boldly and unflinchingly, and
had the people supported them better, instead of
turning their thoughts to the despoiling of Denmark,
things would now be in a more prosperous state,
and there would not be so much to fear for the
liberties of Prussia.

There is a story circulating in Paris which has
caused a great sensation. It is reported that a lady has
been strangled in a railway carriage on the line between
Meluu and Fontainebleau. Her husband, a high judicial
ftuutivaaryi its suspected as the assassin. sr

HAY.

COLONIAL.

" THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENINGIVFEBRUARY 6, 1866.

CORRESPONDENCE PROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Monday Evening.
The Moniteur states that the Minister of Marine

and the Colonies has just presented to the Emperor
the first copy of the French edition of the Commer-
cial Code of Signals. An English and French com-
mittee was appointed to prepare a book of signals
to insure communications between trading vessels
of all nations, and the two Governments adopted
the basis of a plan for one universal code, and im-
portant modifications were made in that which had
appeared in England. Mr. Larkins, of the Board of
Trade, and Naval Lieutenant Sallandvouze superin-
tended this minute work, the printing of which, in
French and English, has just been finished. Copies
of the French edition will be furnished to
all trading vessels, and at the same time the
arrangements have been made at all the Semaphore
stations to receive their communications. Arrange-
ments have also been made to receive by telegraph,
and the post communications by ships with the land.
Very shortly a mutual language by signal will be
established between English and French merchant
ships, when they are in sight of the coast of France,
so that they may be in communication with all the
French telegraphic stations. Several Governments
have expressed a desire to adopt the Commer-
cial Code of Signals soon after its publica-
tion at Paris and London. All nations are invited
to give it their adhesion, and it is to be hoped,
thanks to the good understanding between France
and England, that we shall attain the realisation of
that great idea of peace and civilisation, " the esta-
blishment of one universal maritime language."
The Journal des Debats has a long and remark-
able article in reference to the differences which
existed between the Egyptian Government and the
Suez Canal Company. " With Lord Palmerston,"
says the Journal des Debats, " has disappeared the
last representative of those ancient passions which
looked upon France as the natural enemy of Eng-
land, and on the undertaking of M. Lesseps as a
conspiracy against English interests in the East.
It is well to remember that the two principal mem-
bers of the present Cabinet, Earl Russell and Mr.
Gladstone, at the period when they sat in the ranks
of the Opposition, energetically opposed the policy
adopted by Lord Palmerston relative to the Suez
Canal. Now that they have received their full liberty
of action, there is reason to hope that Earl Russell
and' Mr. Gladstone will not place themselves
in open contradiction with the attitude they assumed,
and the speeches they made in open Parliament at
another period." The Debats proceeds to state that
the French Government has appointed for its com-
missioner M. Lebasteur, and the Canal Company is
represented by Baron Mallet, Senator, and seems to
entertain no doubt that, on the arrival of the com-
missioners at Alexandria, for which they sailed on
the 9th ult., and after further conferences, the
Sultan will agree to a convention for negotiating the
affairs of the company. The works on the canal
are proceeding with extreme activity and vigour.
The Pope has sent I,ooof. to the central com-
mittee formed to receive subscriptions in aid of the
numerous sufferers from the terrible devastations of
the cholera at Guadaloupe, expressing his regret to
M. Chigi, his Nuncio here, that under present cir-
cumstances it was not in his power to send a larger
sum.

I recently sent you the particulars of the terrible
murder and mutilation of a woman at Toulouse,
the crime being supposed to have been committed
by the keeper of a wine shop, named Aspe. A
human head has been found in the canal near that
city, and although considerably decomposed it has
been recognised as that of the murdered woman.
Aspe will shortly be tried on the charge of murder.
Another case of murder and mutilation has been
discovered. It took place at the village of Littoy,
near the town of Bayeux. The victim is a widow
of 77 years old, named Savary. She resided in a
lonely house. The body was found horribly muti-
lated, and deep stabs were found on various parts
of it. It was known in the neighbourhood that she
had money in the house, to obtain which was no
doubt the inducement of the murderers. There is a
field at the back of the premises of the deceased
woman which leads to the farm occupied by a man
named Elie. The researches of the police have in-
duced them to apprehend Elie and his son as the
supposed murderers.
The Legislative Body have voted a law granting
a prize of 50,000 f. to be awarded within five years
to the author of a discovery which will render the
voltaic battery applicable with economy either to
industry as a source of heat, to chemistry, to
to mechanism, or to practical medicine. Should
there be no reason to grant the prize at the
period named, the competition may be deferred, by
decree of the Emperor, for another period of five
years.

OPENING

Poncet, after his condemnation for the murder in
the wood near Argenteuil, became very talkative,
and reproached one of the gendarmes because he
was not disposed to converse with him. " Well," said
Poncet to him, " is it because a man is condemned
to death that you won't speak to an old acquaint-
ance ?" The place of execution is rather a romantic
spot, west of Versailles, distant a mile or two on the
road to Sceaux. On the border of a road did Poucet
assassinate a defenceless man, and such a spot is the
locality for the expiation of the crime. In addition
to his appeal to the Court of Cassation, he sent a
petition to the Emperor praying for pardon. An-
other murder has been committed near Argenteuil.
Halfway between Sartrouville and La Frette the
body of a man of 65 has been found in a field of
asparagus. Mortal wounds had been inflicted on
his head with some sharp instrument. He was
known in the country by the name of the Sorcerer
(le Sorcier).

SMITIIFIELD.—Mos,dow hay, 44 4s to £5 lOs ; clover,
£5 5s to 16 158 Od ; and straw, X 1 16s to .£2 2s per load.
Trade firm.

£5 5a
£4 4s to .£5 15s Od; clover,
:011I.CriDOs .071,31; aeandrstrhaaw, £1 18s to .£2 4s per load.
A fair demand.

WIIITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, .£4 4s to .£5 lOs ; clover,
£5 5s to .£6 158 Od ; and straw, £1 16s to £2 2s per load.
Trade steady.

TEA.—There has been very little business transacted,
operations having been deferred until the public sales,
which commence to-day, when about 21,400 packages will
be offered, 17,000 of which are without reserve.

SUGAR.—The market has remained very quiet ; superior
qualities of West India, however, fully support previous
rates. In the refined market there is no material change.
COFFEE.—There has been a lair inquiry for Plantation
Ceylon, and full rates are current.
RlCE.—Only a limited business has been entered into,
and there is no material alteration to repOrt in value.
TALLOW.—The market has exhibited some considerable
excitement, owing to a pressure of speculative sales.
P.Y.C., on the spot, is quoted 47s 6d; March delivery,
48s ; and last three months, 49s 6d per cwt.