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

LONDON, THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 1857.

The advices in anticipation of the Calcutta and
China Mails have been this day received.
Although exceedingly interesting, as exhibiting
the impressions created in different quarters, they
do not materially add to the information commu-
nicated in yesterday's Sun from the disturbed dis-
tricts. It is said that the rebels in Delhi aro
quarrelling among themselves, and that they are
in want of provisions and ammunition. It was
also reported that the mutineers had offered
to surrender, on. terms, asking only that
a certain number should be spared. As
may, however, naturally be anticipated, the
ev.npronaise was rejected with disdain. It would
be fatal to the restoration of British autho-
rity if we were to negotiate with armed rebels,
and to abandon a single portion of our rights.
Mutineers, and murderers, and violators mu
surrender at discretion, and trust alone to the
mercy for which they hare so little claim.

Weyesterday alluded to the rumours that the mock
King had sent off the members of his Zenana to a
place of greater safety, and that many of the mu-
tineers were seeking safety in flight.

These reports seem to be materially strengthened
by the fresh intelligence contained in the summary
of the Calcutta Englishman. The strong rein-
forcements daily arriving and expected show the
mutineers how very gloomy are their prospects,
and it seems very natural that they should en-
deavour to make off with the booty they have
obtained, and that the spurious Mogul would
gladly shirk the difficulty he has brought on him-
self. Doubly so if he cr)uld more than double
his previous income, obtaining 1,0001. per diem,
or 36 lacs of rupees, in place of 15 lacs of rupees,
a-year. It really seems as if Delhi was doomed,
and its destruction was only a matter of days,
not of weeks. There is no longer a hint of rais-
ing the siege or deferring the grand attack until
"a more convenient opportunity." It was ex•
pected that it would take place on the 20th
August, so that we may hear by the next mail of
the reduction of the stronghold of the insurgents.
Telegraphic communication had been restored
with Cawnpore. The gallant HAVELOCK and the
survivors of the heroic band—every one of whom
ought forthwith to receive the VICTORIA
medal—were in the city. They had been
unable to proceed to the relief of Lucknow,
and to save the garrison
and fugitives,
whose situation was painfully Precarious.
It is said, and we hope truly, that his: operations
bad created a valuable diversion in favour of the
beleaguered garrison, which enabled them to esta.

bli3h communications with the outside, and to

obtain supplies that were very urgently re-
quired. We fear, however, that it i too good
news to be true, and that another terrible cala-
mity is impending in that quarter. It is rumoured
that Sir J. 017 TRAM had stopped all the reinforce-
meld.% moving up the country, and intended
making 9. powerful effort for its relief' from ano-
ther direction.
It will indeed be truly fortunate if their rescue
can be effected in any manner. Every Euglih
heart must shudder at the thought of so many
women and children falling into the hands of the
sanguinary fiends panting for their destruction.

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

At Agra matters seemed to be better than bad
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 CoLIN CAMPBELL, which gave
promise of more energetic proceedings at head par
tens, 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 disaffection is still spreading, and 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 CouN, 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

The financial returns for the year, half-year,
and quarter, ending the 30th September, have
if
been duly published, and will be fon d in another
part of our impression. It was just anticipated,
considering the fiscal reductions effe,_ ted since the
commencement of the year, that th6re 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 (499,9597.). On the half-
year it is 215,3341., while on the year there is a
' trifling improvement of 13,208/. The chief loss
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 difference
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.
In the Excise there have been deficiencies on
the year, half-year, and quarter of 342,7'781.,
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 150,0001. 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 h ,lf-
year of 25,986/., and on the quarter of 18,394/.,
while in the Assessed Taxes, the improvement hc.s
been on the quarter 2,0001., and a decrease of
1;,0261, on the half-year, and of 1,0061. on the

year.
The Property Tax, in which the duty was re-
duced from Is. 4d. to 7d. in the pound, exhibits 2
of course, a change ; the reduction, however, is
only 187,3071. on the year, 336,910/. 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, hal1"-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., the
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 113,095/. On the whole, the figures are
far more favourable than could be anticipated.
We have also the pleasing fact that, notw;thstand-
ing the Sound Dues compensation, sinking fuud,
Sardinian loan, Exchequer Loads, and other 1
heavy items, the excess of income over
expenditure is 568,040/., of which, mirabile dicta,
504,654/. is placed to the credit of Ireland, while i
Great Britain is only on the right side of her I
barker's book for 63,3861. It is also satisfactory
to find that payments for deficiency bills are re-
turned nil in the statement. Taking every cir-1
`cumstance fairly into account, the entire docu-
ment
is very gratifying, proving, as it does, that, I
notwithstanding all our trials, we are still able to
pay our way,
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