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

look ; and an additional half per cent. "covers
not only a multitude of sins," but almost every
possible evil that might otherwise follow 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 considerable doubt on
that part of the case, cadit qucestio, the
matter falls 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 be 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 bo 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 bow attempts have been made to take advan-
tage of the suppressio veri 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-
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 I 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." Anynglish-
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.

This day the reduced duties on tea, coffee, and
sugar come into operation. Every pater familias
should see that ho obtains the full benefit of the
change, and that the whore profit does not fall
into the pockets of the retailers. The duty on
tea is now but ls. sd. per lb. Heretofore it was
is. 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 ho is not defrauded of his rights.
We have already explained the " dodge" of
saying that the difference is made up in the
quality ! 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, 3s. Bd. is all that can fairly
bo demanded, and that gives 2id. 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 id. per lb.,
/d. 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 ls. 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 helydd.
The people must look to the new Parliament to
redress their grievance. The old proverb hath
it —de minimis non curet le x. We may also say
that the wealthy and great care but little for the
interests of the poor and needy. The whole cur-
rent of legisl9.4ion 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 to the
fiscal changes that come into operation this day.

THE APPROACHING, ACCOUCHEMENT
OF hER MAJESTY.

Her Majesty's accouchement is now daily expected,
and there stems to be little doubt that the present week
will witness this auspicious event, Her Majesty has
enjoyed uninterrupted good health during the past
week, but the royal dinner circle has been gra-
dually contracted, and the last day or two it has been
limited to the immediate members of the Court. All
visit to theatres have been entirely suspended, and the
Ministers hold themselves in readiness for attendance,

POSTPONEMENT OF THE MI,E,RTAGE
OF TILE PRINCESS RI:JYAL.

We are now fully able to authenticate the rumour
which we alluded to last weot.i. of the probable postpone-
ment of the marriage of the Pr;:ncess Royal till January
next. Severrl reasons have uonduced to this postpone-
ment, and one is that tb, residence preparing for the
Prince and Princess ID Berlin will net be completed and
fit for occupation 11rail the close of the year. This palace
was the reside s.,ce of the father of the present Ring of
Prussia, b"...6 has been for years much neglected. Its
furniture, as well as its decorations, required a complete
renerlsl, and the building itself a great extent of one-
mei-) tal repair, with the additions necessary to modern
";lions of luxury and comfort. Prince Frederick Wil-
liam, it is expected, will arrive in this country about the
latter end of May or the beginning of June—the precise
time may, perhaps, be influenced by the Queen's re-
covery. Had the marriage taken place in the autumn,
as original:y proposed, the royal bride and bridegroom
were to have remained some time in England ; but, as
the nuptials have been postponed 801330 months, the
Prince and Princess will, it is expected, proceed at once
to Berlin.— Court Journal,

LORD ROBERT GI?O,3I7ENOR AND THE
BALLOT.

E
the Ballot Society
sin;_As TOon
one
eEdeputation
[Treat:
to Lord Robert Grosvenor, aPow me to contradict the
groeely inaccurate repo' t sent y. a by some friend of Lord
Robert Grosve nor of the result of the deputation to that
nobleman. Tao promise (extracted with great difficulty)
to read the rapers handed to him was given in such a
manner as t,o leave no doubt on my mind that whether
they were read or not Lord R. Grosvenor's opinion
Would remain the same. To bring the matter to a point
I asked hiA lordship if he intended to remain as hereto-
fore, neutrrd on the Ballot ? He flatly refused to say that
Lsuchibciviativse) )d., intention. So far from being pleased with
our
dut
three "alit" to plump for Han bury as the least bad of
D C WHITELIUR ST,
reannedijgdraatveeßis---tiot7t ober.iient sPrvant,
ED
April 4, 1857.