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

LONDON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 18f7

The Financial Returns for the year, three
quarters, and quarter respectively, terminating
on the last (Ply of the departed year, are before
us, and will be found in another part of this day's
impression. They are in every respect satisfac-
tory—indeed we can scarcely call to mind ary in
which our gratification was so completely unal-
loyed as the present. There is a steady and per-
ceptible improvement in all the ordinary items.
The only one in which there is a falling off is that
under the head of " Miscellaneous," which the
alleged sales of old stores might have
rendered more respectable. We may easily,
however, content ourselves with the very decided
improvements in the Customs, Excise, Property
(?) Tax, and other important sources of revenue.

The Customs, the first, and perhaps the most
important, of all, as indicating the activity of our
foreign trade, and the value of the various articles
of necessity, comfort, or luxury, that we have
been enabled to procure from other lands, show a
very considerable improvement. The receipts
for the year 1856 have reached the enor-
mous sum of 23,618,3751., while 22,534,3021.
only was received in 1855. The gross in-
come therefore amounted to 1,084,0731., while
that since the beginning of the financial year in
April was 584,3461., and on the quarter
525,074/. ! With such prospects we trust that
the Chancellor of the Exchequer may think proper
to relax some of the minor duties, which, without
producing any considerable sum to the Treasury,
materially interfere with the freedom of trade.
Some of them are essentially protective imposts,
and ought to be gat rid of. For instance, the
duties on cheese and butter—the former whereof
brings in some 50,0001., and the latter a little more
than twice that amount—tend to enhance the prices
of these important articles of consumption, so that for
every pound realised by the Treasury at least
twenty-one are taken from the pockets of the
consumers. The charges on currants, figs, raisins,
oranges, and lemons might also be entirely
abolished. It would be a great boon to the
rising generation, and some compensation would
be obtained in the enhanced demand for the " corn
of the tropics."

In the Excise—the index that exhibits the de-
gree of comfort enjoyed by the working popula-
tion of the country—the improvement is on the
year 804,3151. ; the gross receipts amounting to
18,073,7781., while that on the three quarters is
762,6261., and on the quarter 212,0001. The
addition to the Malt Tax will, we need scarcely
remind our readers, shortly expire, no " petti-
fogging quibble" having been raised with respect
thereto. The Spirit Duties in Scotland and
Ireland will also require consideration.
In Stamps the improvement on the year is
135,4481., the three quarters, 192,2621., and the
quarter, 88,2311. The Legacies and Successions
are gradually becoming more productive. They
constitute,
as we have repeatedly stated, the
worst description of " property"
tax, but, as a
direct charge on accumulated and realised wealth,
they are far better than the unjust and impolitic
tax on profits which the Legislature has so un-
wisely sanctioned.
In the Assessed and Lind Taxes a small im-
provement is perceptible, that on the year being
9,4831., on the three quarters 4,9951., and on the
quarter 51.

Ths Property Tax, as it is facetiously termed,
shows the greatest augmentation. The collection
in 1856 realised no less than 16,028,4221., show-
ing an increase of 1,906,861/. on the year,
957,464/. on the three quarters, and 88,0911. on
the quarter. We thus see that each penny in
the pound produces, in round terms, a million to
the Treasury. If fairly and justly assessed it might
produce far more, with justice to the industrial
classes, who are so grievously oppressed under the
existing iniquitous system.
The Post Office participates in the general im

At the close of the Year of Peace the Minister
of War has been glorified. A magnificent ban-
quet, at which 800 of the admirers of Lord PAN-
xtuvx assisted, was given to that nobleman on
Tuesday evening, the 30th of December, 1856,
in the Market-hall of Arbroath, in the name of
the inhabitants of Forfarshire. An account of
the proceedings will be found in another part of
to•day's impression of The Sun. From which it
will be observed that the festivities of Tuesday
originated, not so much in a sentiment of good-
fellowship towards the noble lord in his capacity
as Lord Lieutenant and Cnstos Rotulorum of the
County, as in an eager and heartfelt solicitude on
the part of his friends and neighbours to offer to
him some tribute of graceful homage and grateful
recognition in his more conspicuous and respons-
ible character, as her MAJESTY'S Secretary of
State for the War Department. Hence the
gathering of those eight hundred enthusiasts who,
the day before yesterday, "greatly daring
dined " in the Market-hall of the good
burgh of Arbroath. Hence, the guz-
zling, the guttling, the speeches, the cheers,
the hear-hears, and the laughter.

It is always satisfactory to know precisely the
meaning of any Row—and that was the meaning of
all the hubbub that took place on Tuesday evening
in the banquet chamber of the more ardent among
the political wights of Forfarshire. They wanted
as significantly as possible, and to use the words
of the Chairman "in the face of the whole
world"—[like the Tailors of Tooley-street !]—to
evidence their profound admiration for the " dis-
tinguished services" rendered to his country during
the last two years by the successor of his Grace
the Duke of NEWCASTLE. According to the local
reporter, the Hall presented an appearance which
—we are not at all surprised to hear—" was,
as a whole splendid, and imposing." Appro-
priately " imposing,'? we conceive—under the
peculiar circumstances of the case. For,
with every imaginable good feeling towards
Lord PANMIIRE, we really cannot, for the life
of us, conjecture in what these "distinguished
services" of his have actually consisted ! We can-
not comprehend '
why it is that Lord PAN MITRE
should be glorified as though he were another
CARNOT, another " Organiser of Victory"—now—
at the end of a bungled War and a Disgraceful Peace
While his unlucky predecessor in office, HENRY
PELHAM CLINTON, sth Duke of NEWCASTLE—for
doing, to a very considerable extent, precisely the
same thing ; for acting, for the most part, accord-
ing to precisely the same policy ; for toiling and
moiling with precisely the same assiduity, if not
with a great deal more—thanks to his Grace's im-
munity from the luxurious pangs of gOut—was
pelted, not with the roses and sugar-plums of com-
pliment, but with the mud and brickbats of oppro-
brium. Don't let it be forgotten for one moment
—in the name of fairplay—don't let it be for-
gotten how the Right Hon. Fox MAITLE, 2d Baron
PANMIIRE, on consenting to take office as Minister
for War, a couple of years ago, during a period of very
extraordinary anxiety, announced bluntly and expli-
citly his intention to shape his course in all essential
particulars by that pursued, until his advent into
power, ley his predecessor, the Duke of NEWCASTLE.
Let not that significant and remarkable avowal be
forgotten. And, besides all this, do not let it be
overlooked how, on Tuesday evening last, the 30th
of December, 1856, Lord PANMIIRE formally de-
clared (shall we say, confessed very creditably
for himself as a man of honour) "many things
[i. C., reforms, or changes, or whatever you may
like to call them] which I worked out took their
origin in his [the Duke of NAwcasTLE's] Adminis-
tration." Yet, marvellous to relate, it has some-
how come to pass—that Lord PANMUnE, who set out
with the avowal of his intention to adopt, in
many particulars, the policy (the policy bitterly
maligned, but still perversely persisted in) of his
unfortunate predecessor—thatLordPANM URE, who,
but the day before yesterday, declared that many
of the " things" (meaning the Reforms) recently
worked out by bim took their origin in the Duke
of NEWCASTLE'S Administration—that he (Lord
PANMIIRE) is glorified to the seventh heaven as a
Living Marvel -of Statesmanship, while the luck-
less Duke of NEWCASTLE iS treated as an Official
Pariah, is placed under a Ministerial Taboo, is
politically sent to Coventry ! An inconsistency,
a glaring and monstrous inconsistency,which brings
us back bewildered to wonder and ponder over
the really tantalising problem as to What can be
the " distinguished services" performed during
the last two years by the present Minister for
War i Eight hundred people met to celebrate
these, only the day before yesterday, in the Market-
hall of Arbroath. Sir JOHN OGILVY, the chair-
man of the night, eulogised them. The panegyrics
pronounced upon them by him were cheered to the
" very echo" by his hearers. The Toast of the
entertainment (" done brown" enough in the uni-
versal glow of admiration) was given at last,
upstanding, uncovered, with three times three,
and another " good one" over to finish with.
But, now that the welkin has ceased to ring to
these cheers in Forfarshire—What, let us ask, in
the name of fortune, is the meaning of it all ?
What are these " distinguished services" dinned
into stir ears so loudly and so often, and for
which the country is to be so very grateful
to the Noble Lord fur the last two years at the
head of the War Department ? Are they dis-
coverable in the blundering conflict with Russia,
or in the despicable compromise called the Peace
brought about by the Paris Conferences ? Are
they traceable through the frightful loss of life,
of credit, and of money inseparably associated
with the names of Scutari and Balaklava,
of Kars and Sebastopol, and with the re-
collection of some 80,000,0001. or 100,000,0001.
in the way of a fruitless three years' War
Expenditure ? No honestly be it con-
fessed—the less we say or do in the way of
glorification in regard to the late lamentable

provement. The increase on the year is 165,1521., iWar with Russia the better. Remember, for al
on the three quarters 92,0001., and on the quarter memenf, how it is we come out of this War !
101,0001. These, of course, are on the gross With Russia's prestige elevated among the Asiatics
receipts. The expenditure has, very properly, by the fall of Kars before the indomitable per-
kept pace with the amelioration. It is quite suf- severance of a Muscovite General as brave as he
ficient if that great, and, we are bound to add, proved himself magnanimous ! With Sebastopol,
generally well conducted establishment, should after all, never entirely taken by the united
defray its own expenses. maritime and military strength of France
The Crown Lands manifest a slight improve- and England combined ! With the Crimea
ment. There is an addition to the receipts of the restored to the CZAR ! With the Govern-
year of 4,341/., of the three quarters 3,341/., ment of the Danubian provinces still left
and of the quarter 1,0001. Under proper control a matter for discussion ! With Persia still
the receipts from this source might be greatly en- not only empowered to endanger the peace of the
hanced. We trust that Sir B. Hall will look world, but already actually imperilling it afresh
to it with care and attention, for he may do through her nefarious intrigues at the Court of
much for the revenue. Teheran ! With not one solitary ruble or
The last item is the Miscellaneous. In that kopeken mulcted!from her by way of indemnity
alone, as we have stated, is there a deficiency On the contrary, with all the hugeous expenses
amounting in the year to 131,9011., on the three involved in our share of the conflict sad-
quarters to 187,0421., and on the quarter to dled on ourselves—with enormous loans to
149,4751. There is, however, nothing beyond pay up—and a more than doubled Income Tax
a trifling loss of X. s. d. to be regretted in this, grinding us down—and war prices still sus-
and, as we have stated, the complete return is the tained in all directions ! Pshaw ! Talk of the
most satisfactory we have seen for many years. distinguished services, forsooth, of any one among
We cannot say much for the manner in which her MAJESTY'S Ministers in regard to the manage-
the national balance-sheet is prepared. The pub- ment of the late War ! Talk rather of their distin-
lic accountant would not receive many oomph- guished services in regard to anything else but the
ments were he compelled to make an appearance late War, a War as disgraceful in its close as it
in Basinghall-street. was " horrible and heart-rending " in its Mis-
Management

We this day give the remainder of the highly
interesting report of the Federal Council of Swit-
zdrland, the former portion whereof appeared in
The Sun of yesterday. The spirit-stirring address
has been nobly responded to in the Federal
Assembly. The proposals of the Council were
unanimously adopted. The representatives of
the people with one accord remained faithful to
the independence of the Republic. A de-
gree of enthusiasm was manifested that augurs
badly for CLICQUOT. The descendants of
those who dared tie wrath of CHARLES the
Bold, who were prepared to die rather
than yield a particle of the national liberty,
have proved themselves worthy of their illustri-
ous ancestors. Whatever may be the event, they
have earned for themselves the respect and admi-
ration of surrounding nations.

We are told that a great effect was produced
by the report. It could not be otherwise. The
Council appealed to the highest and purest sym-
pathies of the People. Every man, worthy of
the name, would cordiallyirespond to the spirited
address.

In such a cause there could be no seceders. The
land of TELL would not tolerate such baseness.
FREDERICK WILLIAM may choose to indulge in
what the Yankees term "buckrum." He may ful-
minate threats, with no greater notion of carrying
them into execution than Ancient PISTOL himself ;
but in meddling with the hardy and patriotic
Swiss, he has, as the Mayor of Yarmouth said to
Queen ELIZABETH, most decidedly taken " the
wrong sow by the ear."
We cannot suppose OLICQUOT will be so great a fool
as to force matters to extremities. He may wish
to exhibit a little spirit, just by way of a set-off
for the apathy—or cowardice as some irreverent
persons may term it—displayed during the late
war. It may snit his taste for "playing at
soldiers" to concentrate his troops in a particular
district, and to make the most formidable de-
monstrations. But still his nature will remain
unchanged. He cannot pretend toafierceness incon-
sistent with his nature. The ass in the lion's skin
betrayed his quality the moment he strove to roar.
The " braying" was unequivocal, and in like
manner FREDERICK WILLIAM must appear in his
true colours when the crisis arrives.
We' believe that the manly attitude of the
Confederation has averted war• Had thy dis-
played the slightest symptoms of yielding, there
would have been an amount of swaggering and
bullying that would have rendered hostilities
inevitable. But now that they have shown
inflexible resolution a loophole for evasion will be
found, and CLICQUOT will console himself with the
reflection that, if he had known "how cunning
they were of fence, he would have taken care not
to meddle with them•"

In another part of our present impression it
will be seen Sir
BENJAMIN HALL has lost no time
in redeeming his promise in relation to the metro-
politan drainage. Not only has he appointed,
what appears to us, a competent commission of
inquiry, but also addressed to them a letter of
instructions, in which the facts are so fairly stated,
and the desiderata se fully and clearly expressed,
that we see no possibility of exception being justly
taken to it as a whole, or to any part of it. If it
involves,
as it certainly does, the *condemnation of
the Metropolitan Board, that is no fault of his.
If it furnishes a satisfactory vindication of his
own procedure, he
is just as little to praise 'or
blame on that account. To do either has evi-
dently formed no part of his intention. In the
proper discharge of his duty, and for the informa-
tion and guidance of the Commissioners a review
of what had been done was necessary, and all
that was left him was to furnish as he has done
a truthful and fair one. The discrepancies in the
statements of the Engineer of the Metropolitan
Board in relation to the amount of sewage dis-
charged, to which it was necessary he should call
attention, are facts which tell their own tale, and
alone suffice to justify the appointment of the
Commission, and the remarks we have felt it our
duty to make on the
absence of substantial
grounds for confidence in the efficiency of
the plan. The instructions given respect
ing the point of discharge, and as to how
far the extension of the works may benefit the
districts through which they
may pass, and estab-
lish a pecuniary claim on the owners and occu-
piers, are deserving of especial attention. There
can be no mistake as to the spirit of equity in
which they are conceived, and the desire of the
Chief Commissioner of
Works to have substantial
justice meted out to all parties.
Let us hope with the New Year, and by the
aid of the newly-appointed Commission of Inquiry,
we shall see a speedy end to this much vexed
question 1 The interests of millions are at stake
—surely a due consideration of the fact calls for
some sacrifice of self-love, if necessary, to have
them respected ; and this, we imagine, i 3 what is
principally wanted. By this time the impression
must have become pretty general ab the Board
that a final settlement cannot much longer be
delayed. More than a suspicion, we cannot
doubt, is also generally entertained in the same
quarter that the Board has placed itself in an
unenviable position—nay, that its very existence
has been seriously endangered by its blunders,
squabbles, and shortcomings. A plan worthy in
the main of its acceptance may confidently be
expected to be laid before it at no distant period.
Let the Board embrace the opportunity to redeem
itself in public estimation by showing itself, how-
ever late, equal to its responsibi!itie3. It is no
small fault to throw discredit on the principle of
self-government. May the expiation outdo the;
offence ! Of one thing we are assured : when
the majority of the Board come to their right
mind, instead of regarding the Chief Commissioner
of Works with suspicion and taking a pleasure in

thwarting his wishes, they will, with equal inde.