The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-05-30 00:00:00

STAJXPS ON FOREIGN BILLS.

TnE proposition of the CHANCELLOR of the ExenEQUER
to impose a stamp duty on all Foreign Bills of Exchange,
negotiated in this country, has led to a remonstrance
against if from the Merchants and Bankers of the Me-
tropolis. They state, as their grounds of objection, that
it is a violation of the doctrines of Free Trade policy,
which profess to remove all restrictions from commerce ;
that the proposition would involve a wasteful expenditure
of time, and impose a gratuitous risk through the penalty
which must attach to the incautious nse of the wrong
stamp; that neither the partial correction of the evil
resulting from the occasional fabrication of falsely dated
bills, nor the revenue to be derived from the proposed tax,
can justify its imposition; and that while the expected
revenue is too trifling to be of any importance, the pro-
posed tax would seriously discourage the Banking and
Exchange business. These objections are entitled to
serious consideration, not only for their intrinsic merit,
but for the position and character of the objectors ; and
it will be difficult for the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
to offer any tangible defence of his proposition in the face
of them. The sole evil which was sought to be remedied
—for any advantage to the Revenue is quite out of the
question—was the liability to great losses by innocent
holders of ostensible Foreign Bills of Exchange, owing to
their having been fraudulently made iu this country, and
therefore, subject to a stamp, while they purported to have
been drawn abroad, and were, therefore, on unstamped
paper. The remedy is by no means difficult—for it is
only necessary to declare that in every such case the fraud
should be punished by a penalty on the person committing
it, while the liability to pay shall remain so that no end in
vitiating the instrument will be gained, the innocent
holder will be protected, and the rights of the Revenue
will, as far as possible, be vindicated. There is, however,
a strong fancy in "administrative talent" to magnify
difficulties and load the Statute Book with complicated
enactments. The simplicity of a penny stamp has answered
very well for receipts, but the sliding scale applied to the
varying amounts of Bills of Exchange would be an evil
for which no shadow of reason has yet been shown to
justify its imposition. It is to be hoped, therefore, that
the attempt will be resisted, and that any legislation on
Bill Stamps will be confined to the point which we have
suggested, and which a recent decision in a court of law
has shown to be imperatively necessary.

LIVERPOOL PHILOMATHIC

SOCIETY

THE annual dinner of this highly-respectable and
flourishing society, which is now, we believe, in the 3''d
year of its existence, took place on Saturday, at that
favourite spot, Eastham_ William Rowett, Esq., president
of the society, occupied the chair; W. Masshall, Esq.,
officiated as vice-chairman. The attendance of the mem-
bers and their friends was numerous. Among the former
we observed Mr. Councillor Picton, Mr. Councillor
McNicoll, Arnold Baruchson, Esq., F. F. Bloxam' Esq
Walbanke B. Barber, Esq. Alfred H. Cowie, Esq., James
Dowie, Esq., Fred. Frodilam, Esq., John R. Gaskell,
Esq., George Holmes, Esq., W. B. Marshall, Esq., R. A.
Payne, Esq., C. E. Rawlins, jun., Esq., Alexander Sleigh,
Esq., Thomas Sleigh, Esq., F. A. amplin, Esq., Dr.
Wilkin, &c., &c. Among the visitors we noticed James
IL Butler, Esq., Dr. Decker, Robert Frodslutm, Esq., &c.
The dinner was served in the usual style of abundance
and elegance for which the Ferry Hotel has acquired a just
celebrity, and included a liberal supply of the delicacies of
the season. After the cloth had been withdrawn, the
chairman gave, in succession, the usual loyal and consti-
tutional toasts, prefacing each with a few appropriate and
judicious remarks. The toasts were drunk with enthusi-
asm, which was loudly expressed in response to " Success
to Her Majesty's Forces by Sea and Land."
The Vice-Chairman gave, "The Mayor and Corporation
of Liverpool," in doing which he adverted to the general
good feeling displayed by the corporation as a body, and
by its memers individually, towards societies, which, like
the Philomathic, had for their objects the mental culture
and improvement of the community.
Mr. M`Nicoll replied to the toast, and, in a few happy
remarks, acknowledged the compliment paid to the Mayor
and Corporation.
The Chairman next proposed the toast of the evening :
"Success to the Liverpool Philomathic Society," and with
it he connected the name of Mr. Payne, the treasurer._
In a few well-chosen observations, Mr. Rowett dilated on
the benefits such a society was calculated to bestow on its
members, and expressed the gratification he had indivi-
dually received by a participation in its pursuits, and in
the enjoyment of its fellowship—a fellowship which, he
was glad to say, included the names of many gentlemen
well known in Liverpool for the amiability of their cha•
racter, and celebrated for their literary and scientific
• attainments. The toast was drunk with loud cheers.
Mr. Payne, in reply, expressed the high gratification
he experienced in attending the ordinary meetings of the
society—a gratification in no way obscured or diminished
by the interchange of friendly and social hilarity, which
invariably characterised their annual celebrations. At
these, as in the present instance, gathered together in
proximity to the beautiful arrangements- of natural
scenery, enhanced by the appliances of art, they were en-
abled to minirle healthful recreation with mirth, and to
taste of social pleasure combined with rural freedom, and
the bracing stimulus of fresh air. He next adverted to
the pecuniary condition of the society, which he was happy
to say was good, the balance being on the right side, and
on the increase. In point of membership, too, he was
glad to know, so far from experiencing diminution of sup-
port, it was on the increase ; and to know further, that
its members were imbued with the right spirit for in-
suring its success. This was attested in the regularity of
their attendance, and the interest they took in its meet-
ings. In conclusion, he expressed the great pleasure he
had always felt in the good fellowship of its members, and
thanked the company for the honour they had conferred
on him in connecting his name with the success of the
' society.
The Chairman gave as the next toast, " The Literary
and other learned societies of Liverpool," observing that
it was the sincere wish of the Philomathic Society to pro-
mote their success, and cultivtite their friendship. The
toast was drunk with loud applause.
The Chairman said the next toast on the list was, "The
progress of the people in literature, art, and science," and
with the toast he begged to connect the name of Mr.
Councillor Picton, a gentleman to whose public-spirited
exertions the inhabitants of Liverpool were deeply in-
debted, particularly with respect to the Free Library and
Museum. The toast was drunk with musical honours.
Mr. Picton.in reply, begged to thank the chairman for the
kind manner in which his name had been connected with the
toast, and to the company for the warm reception it had met
with. In reference to the progress made by the people in
literature, art, and science, he considered that that opinion
was now extending which refused to acknowledge that the
mere communication of abstract science and hard dry facts
could be esteemed progress in knowledge. Something
beyond this it was admitted was now necessary, and many I
inaividuals of high intelligence and active • benevolence

deemed it desirable to take example from our neigh.
hours across the channel, and mingle amusement to som:
extent., at least, with the severer studies. He alluded at
considerable length, and in eloquent terms, to the advan,
tages which all classes mast derive from becoming fa.
miliarised with the beauties of nature. This he illo.straici
by a comparison of the limited and low associations con
netted with the
Ra
hcprrtilmi,rwosielo,
sbayysPeter Ball, as that is nar
rated by lleoi

The primrose by the river's brim
A yellow primrose was to him,
And it was nothing more,
contrasting that with the elevating sentiments and
ennobling strains of the inspired Ayrshire ploughman. He
showed that by elevating the sentiments of the people,
and engaging the feelings of the working classes, a more
extended sympathy would be established among all grades
of the community, to the destruction of that sordid view
which regards man merely as the spinner of miles of
cotton yarn and the fabricator of acres of calico.
Mr. Barruchson, in a long statistical speech, in which
he showed the advantages each of the two nations would
derive from friendly intercourse, gave as a toast " The
French mid English alliance."

- The vice-chairman proposed "the visitors." The toast
was drunk with enthusiasm, and tastefully acknowledged
by Mr. Butler. Several other toasts followed, including
"The town and trade of Liverpool."

The hilarity and good fello-wship of the meeting were
greatly promoted by the singing of several songs which
were beautifully executed, and after spending a happy
evening the party broke up, much pleased with the eve-
ning's entertainment.