Star.
London, England, 1830-12-25 00:00:00

TB i: EVENING STAR.

LONDON.
SATURDAY. DECEMBER 25.

CuRNIVMAS Dar.•-•11012111AY AT ALL TM PUILW °MCI&

Our accounts from Paris to-day assure us, that all is quiet
in Paris. The previous reports of disturbances are altogether
unfounded.

We shall now attempt, according to promise, to afford our
Readers, a sketch of some of the facts and arguments brough
under public consideration, in Mr. BARBER BEAUMONT'S
"'Thoughts, on the causes and cure of the present distresses."
The author commences by some general remarks on the
state of almost perfect anarchy, which has been exhibited
lately in the country, and expresses himself to think, that
the abatement in the activity of the rebellious, as it is the
consequence of partial submission to their demands, a defen-
sive union of superiors, and a change of administration, will
only prove a truce to hostilities, if nothing further be
accomplished. He very correctly remarks, that the
increase of wages is but transferring the dis-
tresses of the labourer to the " borne down" farmers
who must take it from the rent, tithes, and taxes. Unless
he can pay the increased wages, and employ additional
hands, the poor rates must increase, and the shopkeeper
come in for his share of the distress. As soon as the farmer
and tradesman become exhausted, the gentry and clergy
must supply the deficiency ; and the distress thus extended
to more influential ranks, a revolution be the inevitable con-
sequence of the general national embarrassment.
Having thus given a sketch of the course of events,
should no remedy be applied, the author expresses his con-
viction, that although the prospect may be overcast, the
storm may be avoided. He justly remarks, that there are
not wanting encouraging circumstances in our present con-
dition. Our manufacturing interests he considers pros-
perous. We are blessed with a patriotic, considerate, and
excellent KING, and a Ministry who are disposed to deal
fairly by the people. We are no longer told that " the
people have nothing to do with the laws but to obey them ;"
uor " with the taxes bat to pay them." It is, however, he
justly observes, necessary to look the difficulties of the
country fairly in the face. In this conviction, the author
proceeds with a more detailed view of its condition.

He observes, that after a period of fifteen years of peace,
and in the time an increase of mechanical contriv-
ance, by which the operations of industry are per-
formed in a tithe of the time and labour, which were
formerly required, it might have been supposed that those
who kept on at their old rate of labour and hours of work,
would be materially improved in condition; but the fact is
the reverse—they now work longer on a more scanty sub-
sistence than before ; and so small a portion of the extensive
comforts, the labourer produces remain with him, that insomc
of the richest parts of England, a working man is per-
haps not better supplied with the necessaries of life, than
the mere savage ofthe wilderness, who wastes three fourths
of his time In idleneu, and occupies the remainder un-
unaided by skill, industry, machinery, and capi-
tal. Now, he farther observes, this first view seems
to negative the favourite, doctrine that the distress
among the lower orders is not at all affected by
the taxes, but by an excess of population. For, if this
were true, the difficulty would be removed by shortening the
hours of of labour, and thus giving employment for more ;
but it is well known that such a reduction in the hours of
labour, would be impracticable, and reduce the labourer to
starvation.

The author, in supposing the distresses of the working
chases to be owing to certain unjust usurpations of their
earnings, by those who do not work, takes care to premise the
distinction between those who are fair claimants on the pro-
duce of industry, and those who are unjust incumbrances.
He discriminates the two correctly, and gives a moat
striking view of the effects which the evtravagancies
of our Corrupt system have originated. The county
rates for gaols and prosecutions have increased to
to the amount of on: former poor rate ; while the poor-rates
have advanced to an equality with the amount of the whole
revenue of Government, no longer ago than the accession
of George HI ; and, at the same moment the tithe-owner
has pressed forward with his claim, not only on the produce
of the earth, but on the produce of industry, capital, and im-
provements, with a keenness unjustified by reason and un-
countenanced by former custom.

The rapid and remarkable increase of taxation, within our
o►•n time, compared with former times, Mr. BEAUMONT
has illustrated by the following curious Table of the
Amount of the Nett Produce of the Public Revenue, at the Accession
of successive Sovereigns*. •
On 1160 accesslon of James I 1603 .
• ... Charles I. . .
.• the Commonwealth, 1648 .
. . Charles IL . . . 1860 .
▪ ... James 11. . . . 1688 .
. . William and Mary, 18118 .
▪ . Anne
..• • • .1 Ocorge I 1714 .
.. George IL . .
... George 111. . .
George IV. • 1820

41100,000
896,819
1,117.247
1,800,000
900,000
2,001,855
5,695,908
1,191,803
6,762.643
8,523,540
46,132,631

. .
Williams IV.. . . 111X1 .

47,130.873

Mr. BEA U MONT remarks that, in earlier times there were
DO regular roses ; our sovereigns contrived to manage upon
tie rents of the crown lands, the aid of the barons, the be-
nevolence of the chinch, and. the occasional pillage of the
Jews. When they were minded to go to war, they saved up
inobey to begin with, and pawned their jewels, or a province,
generally, before they squeezed the people ; and, until the
reign of Witt lAN 111. the House of Commons was an ef-
fectual check on the expenses of government.
This brings our author to the period of the unfortunate in-
vtotion of what is called the national debt, and all the mis-

• Thew are the nett amounts paid into the Exchequer, qjter de-
duct:no ail expenses attending the collection of the taxes ; and this.
betwiti4 at die present titne, to between 4011111,011101 sad k 1100,0001.,
wtilch is thereto.' So M aided. la aideseg es new ot /ten'
meet isilsepd.