The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-01 00:00:00

1
SUN I ND TTRS N 1 G, r.r4
s E 3 g 5 ;AV OC I() B E

It would indeed be a calamity to be mourned in
sackcloth and ashes by the entire nation.

LATET NEWS

At Agra matters seemed to be better than had
been anticipated. There had been a great destruc-
tion of property. But the numerous fugitives—
more than 5,000, chiefly women and children—
did not appear to be in any immediate peril. They
had abundant provisions, and were enabled to
maintain communications with the surrounding
country.
The arrival of Sir Court CAMPBELL, which gave
promise of more energetic proceedings at head par
ters, had greatly encouraged all classes. We believe
that he will merit the good opinions entertained
of his skill and energy as a leader, and fulfil every
reasonable expectation. If his valuable life be
only spared until an adequate force is placed at
his disposal, he will render a good account of the
insurgents.

THE MUTINIES IN INDIA.

THE CALCUTTA AND ,CHINA MILS.

The Calcutta and China Mails have arrived ; but
the intelligence supplied from the seat of insurrec-
tion adds but little to that printed in our
Edition of yesterday. The news from China is
commercially important, the Government baying
intimated its intention of laying an additional duty
on the exports of tea and silk.

CALCUTTA.

The following is from the summary of the Bengal
Hurkaru (Calcutta), of Aug. 23 :
We have had no great massacres or gross blunders
to record during the past fortnight, which has been
principally distinguished by minor mutinies and
minor mistakes.
The mutinies are still developing, and the insur-
rection is taking a consistent form. To judge by
present appearance?, there will soon be scarcely a
regiment or a district that has not caught the in-
fection, in Bengal or the North-West. There was
a lull of several days soon after the departure of the
last mail, during which things seemed at their
worst, for all communication with the North-West
and Bombay was completely cut off, and the re-
bellion showed the most unmistakeable signs of
narrowing its circle round Calcutta. Since then a
change for the better has taken place. The com-
munication has been restored, and the news ob-
tained by this means turns out to be far more
favourable than most persons had expected. Re-
inforcements had arrived at Delhi, and the besiegers
were making more impression upon the place than
they had ever done before, were in better spirits,
and had the fullest confidence in their speedy and
triumphant success. The besieged were in a
wretched condition, and it is said had offered terms
of capitulation, which had been refused, not be-
cause they were unsatisfactory, but because no
terms at all could be accepted. After the many
false reports which had been circulated upon the
subject, we can scarcely expect our readers to share
our confidence when we once more express our be-
lief that Delhi may have fallen long before this
sheet is in their hands. But such is now the gene-
ral impression, and it is justified by the strongest
facts. The besieged, it is known, are nearly with-
out ammunition, having for some time past been
firing pieces of telegraph wire and kunkur from
their muskets, and they are besides being fast de-
cimated by famine and disease.
The news from Agra is equally satisfactory.
After the battle, which we recorded in our last
"Overland Summary," the Fort, where the garri-
son and inhabitants had taken refuge, has not been
threatened, though all the houses in cantonments
and the civil lines have been destroyed by the bud-
mashes (i.e., blackguards) of the city, and the 3000
prisoners, whom, in spite of warnings which they
have received for years past, the government
insisted upon keeping in the heart of the station.
The value of the property thus destroyed is immense,
for the merchants were prosperous, and their large
shops abounded with the most costly articles of ne-
cessity or luxury, obtained from home at great ex-
pense, and for the loss of which they, as well as
the other sufferers, need not and of course do not
expect to obtain one sixpence of compensation.
The books of the Agra Bank are supposed to be
destroyed, a circumstance which was deeply
lamented by those who were indebted to that in-
stitution, as the loss would have prevented them
from liquidating the claims against them. The
spirits of these persons (a numerous class) have,
however, risen again upon hearing that a dupli-
cate of all the accounts is kept in Calcutta (which
we believe to be the case) so that they will be after
all spared the pain of occasioning any loss t 3
the Bank. It is scarcely fair to throw blame
upon any precautionary measures which have
had the effect of sparing human life, but it is
the opinion of many persons in Agra, well quali-
fied to judge, that it was a mistake to aban-
don cantonments (except as far as the non-com-
batants were concerned) and that the station might
have been successfully held and saved from dc-
struction, which was brought upon it, not by the
mutineers, but by the unarmed prisoners and tIA
rabble of the place.
Our troops still hold Cawnpore and Allahabad,
but General Havelock has been unsuccessful iu the
relief of Lucknow. After displaying great activity,
and fighting more battles than were ever fought
before in so short a time, he has fallen back upon
Cawnpore, with a force, it is feared, considerably
weakened, but which has for all that done wonders.
It is believed, however, that though unable to. re-
lieve Lucknow, his presence in its neighbourhood
enabled the besieged to establish a communication
with the outside, and to obtain supplies, which
will enable them to hold out for some time longer
than they could othewise have done. What is to be
the next plan for the relief we are not aware, but
it is said that Sir James On tram is to perform the
work by operations from another direction. The
greatest anxiety is naturally felt for the safety of
Lucknow, and there are not wanting suspicions
that it has already fallen. But these cannot be
traced to any justifiable source, and we should
be sorry to encourage them without good causes
especially as a catastrophe at Lucknow similar to
that of Cawnpore would be far more horrible, be-
cause the garrison is larger, and the number cf
ladies and children far more extensive. Up to the
present time, we repeat, there is no ground for ap-
prehension upon this score.
We have said that there has been no great blun-
der committed during the fortnight, but our rea-
ders must not suppose therefore that no great harm
is being done. The policy which was inaugurated
by the appointment of Mr. J. P. Grant as Ob-
structor-General of the military operations, hes
been developed by the employment of one Ameer
Ali as his subordinate with the powers of a cove-
nanted magistrate and a salary of 1,500 rupees per
month. This is being followed up by other native
appointments, upon a similar principle, which have
excited this deepest disgust among all classes of
Europeans, the only supporters of the policy being
a few members of the civil service who have unfor-
tunately got possession of the ear of the Governor-
General, and seem to have besides taken a hard
hold of his lordship's understanding.
The most cheering event of the fortnight is the
arrival; of. Sir Colin Campbell and his appointment
from home as Commander-in-Chief. The quali-
fications of Sir Patrick Grant for the post are un-
doubted ; but while rejoicing that the progress of
liberal views had permitted the chief command to
be held by a Company's officer, the community
here forgot that this very circumstance would de-
prive Sir Patrick of all power to act with effect. Sir
Patrick Grant, had he been a Queen's officer, might
have done good by acting independently and fear-
lessly doing his duty. Sir Patrick, being a Com-
pany's officer, had his hands tied. He could do
nothing unless his advice happened to be acceptable
to others; or unless he chose the advice of others
acceptable to himself. Under these c'reumstancei
it was mere nonsense bringing him from Madras,
as he soon began to think himself. So, as soon as
possible after the arrival of Sir Colin Campbell, he
prepared to return to the command of his habitu. 1
Sepoys, and if report says truly, the 17 gives wli"eh
announced his departure yesterday morning were
the sweetest gonads he has heard for s,ane time.
Sir C. Campbell has the opportunity which was
denied to Sir P. Grant ; and those who best know
the character of the.former gallant c fficer, are the
least likely to suppose that he will let the oppor-
tunity escape. The best means of giving S:r Colin
BALMORAL, Slum 29, Campbell the authority which we all feel that he
Her Majesty the (.2.teen, accompa,ied by their Rryal onedit to hold, would be to proclaim military law
Highnesses the Princess Royal and Princess Alice, and
attended by Lady Churchill and the Duke a Argyll, 11- o
th;o ut the Bengal Presidency, and a petition
to this effect has already
drove yesterday to the foot of Gullick, whence her Ma-
jesty and the rest of the party rode to the summit. and presentecl to the G been extensively signed
Governor-General. Now that
His Royal Highness the Prince Consort went out deer the Mohurrurn is just commencing this question is
stalking.
' one of partictilar importance, and all we hope is
In the evening Sir F. and Lady Thesiger, Sir J. and
Lady Clark, and Mr. and Mrs. Clark had the honour of that the measure will not be found necessary aft, r
dining with her Majesty. the mischiefhas been done. It is due, however, to

The disaffection is still spreading, arad we fear
that the entire of the Bengal army is rotten to
the core ; while symptoms of disaffection
are manifested by some few of the Bombay
and Madras troops. Two more mutinies are
reported of the Hill Rangers and the Ramghur
battalion.

Sir PATRICK GRANT has returned to Bombay.
He is an excellent officer, but his hands were
crippled by redtapism and routine. We trust
the newly-arrived HERCULES, Sir CoLIN, will be
enabled to strangle these serpents. It will be in-
dispensable to the complete triumph of our arms
and the re-establishment of British supremacy in
India.

The financial returns for the year, half-year,
and quarter, ending the 30th September, have
been duly published, and will be found in another
part of our impression. It was justly anticipated,
considering the fiscal reductions effected since the
commencement of the year, that there would be a
large diminution of receipts. We confess then
that we were agreeably surprised, in examining
the various items, to find that the falling off was
much less than might reasonably have been ex-
pected. Another irresistible proof is thus afforded
of the extraordinary elasticity of the national re-
sources, and of the accuracy of the financial axiom,
that a reduction of duty is seldom, if ever, accom-
panied by a proportionate reduction of revenue.
The great deficiency is on the Quarter, which
amounts to no less than 889,1601. On the half-
year it is 1,155,4011., while on the year it is only
169,4061. We must, however, remember that
the diminution of the duties on tea, coffee, and
sugar, came into operation in April, and that the
quarters ending December and March were very
prosperous. The cause of the depreciation may
therefore be easily understood.

The great loss on the quarter is in the Cus-
toms, which reaches to within a few pounds of
half a million sterling (499,9591.). On the half-
year it is 215,3341., while on the year there is a
trifling improvement of 13,2081. The chief lops
has been on sugar, which accounts for 300,0001.
in the quarter. This has been altogether an
exceptional case. That many-headed monster,
"the trade," has quietly absorbed the entire
amount without giving consumers the slightest
benefit. Indeed, as we pointed out at the time,
Is. Bd. per cwt., or less than one fifth of a penny
in the lb. could not make any appreciable different-
to the purchasers of small quantities. The Re-
venue was injured without the slightest benefit to
the community. It was something different in
tea. There was a nominal, although not a real
reduction. An inferior article was substituted, if a
lower price was nominally charged, but the great
majority still paid former rates. It was marvel-
lous how all the tea in the country deteriorated in
quality at the time of the reduced tariff. The re-
tailers enjoyed the joke amazingly ; it was not
quite so pleasant to the People. Still there was
a greatly increased payment of duties, for stocks
had been suffered to become low in anticipation
of the reduction.
r In the Excise there have been deficiencies on
the year, half-year, and quarter of 342,7781.,
646,0001., and 148,0001. The reduction of
one-third of the Malt-tax has been attended by
an increased consumption. "Spirits " have been
buoyant despite the teetotallers' agitation, and
proved that the Maine liquor-law will not be sup-
ported in this country. This has been demon-
strated by the increase of 150,0003. on the
quarter. Arrears of hop duty, that were levied
during the last quarter to the extent of 230,0001.,
made it present a more favourable appearance
than might otherwise have been the case. Potent
" John Barleycorn " has stood our friend under
the various heads of malt, hops, and spirits.
Paper, too, has been a valuable auxiliary in swell-
ing the returns.

In Stamps there has been an increase on the
year of 166,1821, but a falling off on the half-
year of 25,0861., and on the quarter of 18,3941.,
while in the Assessed Taxes, the improvement has
been on the quarter 2,0001., and a decrease of
17,0261, on the half-year, and of 1,0061. on the
year.

The Property Tax, iu which the duty was re-
duced from is. 4d. to '7d. in the pound, exhibits,
of course, a change ; the reduction, however, is
only 187,307/. on the year, 336,9101. on the
half-year, and 415,6991. on the quarter. These
figures, however, only represent a small portion
of the change, each Id. produces a million in round
terms. But the public have not yet received the
benefit of the reduction. It is only officials and
fundholders that have received the benefit of the
change, and found that the demand was lower
than heretofore during the war times.
The Post-office shows a general improvement
on the year, hal:-year, and quarter of 161,8481.,
44,0001., and 85,000/. ;" while Crown Lands
appear on the other side of the balance-sheet for
deficiencies of 6,2031., '7,2031., and '7,2031., tl,e
falling-off on the two latter items being identical.
Thanks to that valuable process, " the sale of
old stores," the Miscellaneous is on the right side
of the account, the increase being for the year
26,6501., for the half-year 49,0581., and for the
quarter 113,0951. On the whole, the figures are
far more favourable than could be anticipated.
We have also the pleasing fact that, notwithstand-
ing the Sound Dues compensation, sinking fund,
Sardinian loan, Exchequer bond,, and other I
heavy items, the excess of income over '
expenditure is 568,0401., of whicF, mirabile diets, I
504,0541. is placed to the credit of Ireland, while
Great Britain is only on the right side of her
backer's book for 63,3861. It is also satisfactory
to find that payments fir deficiency bills are re-
turned »it in the statement. Taking every cir-
cumstance fairly into account, the entire docu-
ment is very gratifying, provin, as it does, that,
notwithstanding all our trials, we are still able to
pay our way, and that " The sinews of war" axe
still potent for every purpose that may be re-1
quired.

COURT CIRCULAR.