The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-04 00:00:00

be paid for. We may not be compelled to enter
the market as borowers, or in any way to increase
the national liabilities; but there is a fearful in-
strument to scourge the middle classes always
available. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has
exhibited a laudable desire to meet the engage-
ments entered into by another financial Minister;
but it may not be in his power to do so under
existing circumstances, and we may find the
Income-tax again placed on a war footing, and
six or seven per cent, levied on our earnings, and
that without any fault on the part of the Govern-
ment or people of the United Kingdom.
We trust, however, that if any such painful exi-
gency should arise, there will be a fair and rea-
sonable discriminating allowance made for the dif-
ference between permanent and precarious incomes.
To a " Property " tax we have never objected; on
the contrary, we believe it to be the best fiscal mea-
sure that could be devised. Men who have in-
herited or realised fortunes should contribute a just
proportion thereof for its protection and security.
But it is very different with respect to those who
earn their daily bread by their daily labour. They
have probably " given hostages to fortune," in the
shape of wives and children, and are bound, if pos-
sible, to put something by for a rainy day, when
illness or change of fashion may prevent them from
receiving as much for their exertions as in their
palmy season of prosperity. Besides, they must
try to save something for their families. How
different, then, are they from those who have no such
cares or troubles P—the happy individuals who
know that, although they may be stretched on a
sick couch, they still have enough for every com-
fort for themseves, and that; even.. should they
" shuffle off their mortal coil," their mourning rela-
tives would be equally independent.
Mr. DISRAELI is the only financial Minister who
has proposed, or even exhibited, the slightest dis-
position to recognise the distinction between the dif-
ferent classes of recipients ; and he therefore should
receive the support of the industrial middle classes
who are especially affected by the impost. A re-
mission of one-half, or even one-quarter of the
amount, will be far more satisfactory than prosy
epistles such as those addressed to Mr. PHELPS of
Birmingham. No eloquence is equal to that of the
pocket—nothing so convincing to the mind as see-
ing those_ nearest and dearest deprived of the
ordinary comforts, in many instances amounting to
luxuries, to which they have long been accustomed.
It is matters of that kind that render them dis-
affected and disloyal, and prepared to engage in
any disturbances or tumults that may arise.
Neither Sir CHARLES WOOD nor Sir G. C. LEWIS
would do anything to relieve them, and therefore
it is only to Mr. DISRAELI they can look for relief
under existing circumstances.

SEIZURE OF AUSTRIAN
VESSELS BY SARDINIA.

A postscript to a private letter, dated Genoa,
April 30, addressed to Messrs. Clarkson and Co.,
of 106, Fenchurch-street, states that all the
Austrian vessels at Genoa had been just seques-
trated by the Sardinians.
In reply to a letter from the Committee for ma-
naging the affairs of Lloyd's, Messrs. Clarkson and
Co., of Doctors' Commons, state that they have been
consulted on behalf of the owners of Austrian and
Sardinian ships now in British ports, and they have
advised that they remain where they are, particu-
larly the Austrians, as they will most assuredly be
captured after they go to sea; neither can they
be safely sold after declaration of war. England
recognises such sales, but France does not.