The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-06 00:00:00

It, tj N 4 Li 0 tit V.l N 143 V /4 A. 11 ft 1

look ; and an additional half per cent. "covers
not only a multitude of sins," but almost every
possible evil that might otherwise fellow the in-
vestment. Will the railways pay, is, therefore,
the main point with many persons of elastic con-
sciences ; and if it can be shown that there is, to
say the least of it, very c msiderable doubt on
that part of the case, cadit qwestio, the
matter fall; to the ground, so far as French and
English capital is concerned.
The experience of 1845-6 has surely not been
thrown away. The deeply painful lesson cannot
already bo forgotten. The flattering anticipations
contained in a prospectus, framed for the purpose of
obtaining subscribers, have seldom, if ever, been
verified, even under more auspicious auguries
than those that attend the Russian scheme.
Parties had ample opportunities of verifying the
calculations made respecting domestic undertakings.
There is no such security in the present instance.
They must depend exclusively on data supplied by
those interested in distorting the real state of facts,
in showing that the works can be constructed at
much lower rates than any solvent contractor
would undertake, and that the returns would be
far greater than could reasonably be expected.
Surely Russian veracity is not so universally re-
cognised as to induce any man to place implicit
credence in the assertions under such circum-
stances. We have seen-how maps can be falsified,
and how attempts have been made to take advan-
tage of the suppressio yeti even by the most dis-
tinguished diplomatists. Can it for a moment
be imagined that there will be greater accuracy
in railway matters, or that comparatively irre-
sponsible persons will be more scrupulous in their
proceedings. In domestic matters the shareholders
could select managers in whom they reposed confi-
dence. In the proposed Company the choice will vir-
j tually rest with the Russian Government, who may
select their own tools to destroy the property of
the shareholders, or rather transfer it into the
hands of the AUTOCRAT ! There are sundry con-
ditions also that may be taken advantage of to oc-
casion a total forfeiture ; and it cannot be sup-
posed that Russia will refuse or neglect to avail
herself thereof whenever the proper moment may
in her opinion arise for so doing. It is said that
"a fool and his money soon part." Any English-
man who invests his in the present scheme will
not only be that fool, but he will be an unpitied
dupe, who cannot expect sympathy or commisera,
tion for the losses arising from his own culpable
folly.

ARTISTS' G-ENEi?, 4r, BENEVOLENT
.TNSTIT UTION.

•
14 rri.u-71.4 ,
g.
.

Olt Saturday evening the 43d anniversary of this
most admirable institution was held at the Free-
masons' Tavern. Lord Dufferin took the chair,
supported by Sir Charles Eastlav, F.R.A., Mr.
Tom Taylor, and about 100 gentlemen, among
whom were Mr. J. Dillon, Kr. Godwin, Mr. Cock-
erell, R.A., Mr. E. M. Ward, R.A., Mr. F. R.
Pickersgill, A. R. A. , Mr. Augustus E J!-,,, A.R. A.,
Mr. William Simpson, and many of the leading
artists of the day, sat down to a most excellent
dinner at the Freemasons' Tavern. The usual
complimentary toasts having been given and
most warmly received, the Chairman gave the toast
of the evening, and briefly, but with much force,
advocated the claims of the Artists' General Be-
nevolent Institution. The annual report states
the object of the institution to b 3 to extend relief
to distressed or meritorious artists, whether sub-
scribers or not, whose works have been generally
known and esteemed by the public, as Well as to
their widows anti orphans. Merit and distress consti-
tute the sole claims on the benevolence of the insti-
' tue.ion. In these respects it differs entirely from the
Artists' Benevolent Fund, which by its rules is con-
fined to affording relief to members, or the widows
and families of those who had that claim on its re-
sources. Since the establishment of the society in
1814 no less than 1,620 donations have been
granted in sums amounting in the aggregate to
18,9661. During the past twelvemonth 1,019/.
were distributed iu relief to 73 applicants in
sums- varying from 501. to 51. The total
income for the past year from all sources
amounted to 1,9021., while the expenditure for the
same period, including the sums giving in relief,
was 1,1971., leaving 7051. as a balance in the hands
of the bankerS. This balance constitutes the amount
applicable for the January distribution, and the re-
serve fund for urgent, cases. Lord Dufferin's ap-
peal for the charity was liberally responded to, and
subscriptions were announced to the amount of
,6501.

The Journal de Constantinople, of the 26th,
states that the prospects of the harvest are most
encouraging. Nevertheless, the dearth continues,
and the high price of articles of food has become
inziupportthle in the Asiatic provinces, and especi-
ally in Syria.

An extensive conflagratioii has destroyed 500

houses in Salonica.

This day the reduced duties on tea, coffee, and
sugar come into operation. Every pater families
should see that ho obtains the full benefit of the
change, and that the whole profit does not fall
into the pockets of the retailers. The duty on
tea is now but Is. 51. per lb. Heretofore it was
ls. 9d. This is an appreciable diminution, which
the grocers can have no possible excuse for keep-.
ing back from their customers. The fall should
be 4d. per lb.—id. per oz. The most humble
consumer should benefit by the reduction. Even
the purchaser of a single ounce should take care
that he is not defrauded of his rights.

We have already explained the "dodge" of
saying that the difference is made up in the
quality I. Let those who do not seek a different
quality from that which they have been in the
habit of using, refuse to deal with tradesmen
who resort to so transparent a subterfuge. Where
4s. was hitherto paid, 3.4. Bd. is all that can fairly
be demanded, and that gives lid. per ounce
where 3d. was formerly paid. That simple fact
will be sufficient for every intending purchaser,
and no amount of sophistry can set it aside for a
moment.

In Coffee the reduction will be ld. per lb.,
id. for the buyer of a quarter of a pound, below
which there will be no change. This, too, is
easily ascertainable, and every attempt at mysti-
fication can be at once disposed of. The
Exchequer will lose more than a million sterling
from the reduced tariff. The whole population of
the country should profit by the change.
In sugar the change is less decided. It is
but is. Bd. per cwt., and cannot therefore be
enforced by the purchaser of a single pound. We
pointed out the mistake into which Sir G. C. LEWIS
was betrayed when he was bringing forward his
scheme. It cannot, however, now be helped.
The people must look to the new Parliament to
redress their grievance. The old proverb hath
it —de minimis non, carat lex. We may also say
that the wealthy and groat care but little for the
interests of the poor and needy. The whole cur-
rent of legislAtion proves this painfully notorious
fact, showing with how little wisdom, and how
little fair-play, nations are governed. It is, how.•
ever, well that all persons should know of the
alterations, such as they are, that they may
not, through ignorance, be deprived of the trifling
benefits that may reasonably be anticipated in
consequence thereof ; and, with this view, we
think it right to direct public attention t.) the
fiscal changes that come into operation this day.