Star.
London, England, 1823-04-05 00:00:00

THE QUARTER'S RBVENUE.

The Quarterly Statement of the Revenue, which
will be made up to-night, but not officially promul-
gated till Monday, is, we understand, highly flat-
tering. Even in the department of the Customs,'
notwithstanding the recent repeal of the Tonnage
Duties must have taken away a source of about
£4.0,000 per Quarter, the improvement in the last
Quarter, as compared with the corresponding one of
the preceding year, is very considerable.

The view of the real state of the lonian Islands,
given in the speech of Sir THOMAS MAITLAND, the
substance of which we yesterday laid before the
Public, appears to have confounded yet not shamed
his calumniators. The 7 imes first appears to be
struck with its want of interest. In the view which
that Journal so frequently takes of men and mea-
sures, we can easily suppose that it is indeed a matter
of very little interest to it, whether a great public
functionary, and, in him, the character of the nation,
is cleared or not from unmerited obloquy; but we
should hope that such a tone of feeling and thinking
is not common among Englishmen. For the sake,
too, of mere consistency, we think the Times might
have spared the Public this piece of affectation.—
The affairs of the lonian Islands were not so wonder-
fully devoid of interest, when it was the object with
a certain party to calumniate the conduct of the Bri-
tish Government in the administration of them ; and
singular it does seem that they should just become so
when the documents which vindicate that conduct
make their appearance.—Formerly there was nothing
more "momentous," more " grievously," and "lament-
ably," and "deplorably" affecting the national charac-
ter, than the conduct of Sir THOMAS MAITLAND,
" the eyes of all Europe" were upon us; but now that
the conduct of his Excellency is placed in its true
light, and the benefits produced by his administration
are proved beyond all doubt to have done honour to,
his country, nobody, if we might believe this oracle,
cares anything about the matter.
Having thus determined that the Speech is with-
out interest, the limes proceeds, after a very pro-a
found way, to shew how it is so. First, there is " a
superior importance in scenesand events nearer home;"
and second, " link trust can be prudently reposed in
any official statement, whether of fact or principle,
that proceeds from the Government of these ill-fated
islands." What !—No trust in official statements!—
No reliance on matters of "fact!" None, verily;
for " whether of fact or principle," everything which
proceeds from the Government of these " ill-fated
islands" must necessarily be false. 111-fated islands,
indeed, to be placed under a Government which can-
not be believed, were it even to swear that currants
are currants! Need we strive farther with such a
spirit as this? Well might Sir THOMAS MAITLAND
say to the lonian Deputies that it was " sufficient for
them to feel, and for his Majesty's Government to
know, that they actually enjoy more of the blessings
of civilized life, more liberty, and a greater degree
of prosperity and affluence, than many of those coun-
t, ies in which there is an affectation of lamenting the
tyranny and oppression under which they falsely say
they (the lonians) live."

We have received intelligence from Bayonne to the!
28th of March, at which time there was not the il
slightest indication td hostilities being commenced col
early as was expected. Indeed it is stated that " the
. I
French army sill not move at pre•.;:r.t, becan..e it is.