The New York herald., 1865-01-23

Some OF our contemporaries express surprise
at the smallness Of the returns made by certain
individuals for taxes on incomes for 1868, as
published heretofore in our columns, and are
inclined to question The accuracy Of the lists.
This surprise is natural until 1t Is considered
how much the vanity or the extravaganza Of
men leads them to live beyond their means for
the sake of making show of opulcnce and
for the purpose Of obtaining an undue credit
in the world A merchant in ticklish crcum-
stances is the most apt to live ostentatiously,
and to dwell in a costly house, either heavily
mortgaged or for which he pays an enormous
rent. the charges on which are deducted from
his income. Others, abounding in lands or
other property not productive, have frequently
exhibit, occasioned by the war, which, while
making others rich. has almost deprived them
of revenue. In many instances the enormous
price Of store rent, clerk hire and labor has
reduced the profits Of business TO very small
figure. while those not behind the scene sup
pose the returns to be ample; besides, many
firms are composed of three, four or more
m mbers, whose individual shares are in differ
ent proportions, and are returned as the law
requires, from their separate residences.
There Is nothing more fallible than the judg-
ment OF the outside world rs to the microcosm
of mysterious man in his Individual state and
circumstances. A scrutinizing eye and the
obligation Of n stringent oath reveal secrets
that the gossips Of the world Ind never pcne-
tratcd. II Il curious TO observe the extreme
fallaciousncss Of Madam Rumor's irumpe;ings.
The acknowledged Cr9sus Of the city con-
tributes less than one half Of the taxes paid 10
the government by single dry goods mer-
chant Of the metropolis. The Colossus Of
Roads pays less than dirt contractor; the
mighty chief Of On illustrous clan sinks into
insignfcance before the Bailie Jarvie of the
Saut Market, and the kid gloves and patent
feathers Of the Fifth avenue fade beneath the
shadow OF the under solcs Of the Swamp.
Small tradesmen Of a few years growth become
luminarics of the first magnitude, while quon-
dam merchant princes, like feeble satellites,
"hide their diminished heads" Brokers Of
last year, that were broken vessels Of the
year previous, have brought their rich arg0sies
into port, and show, like Snbad the Sailor,
well frcighted from "the valley Of diamonds"
Shoddy and contract have come up glori-
ously, whilo old fashioned poddcrs not In the
ring Of fortunes favorites, shrink into no
thingness at their feet.
II would almost seem that The wand Of the
good fairy had been at work turning rags into
robes, cabbages into chariots and old rats into
jolly charioteers Who does not see with satis-
faction the Lazarus Of his neighbours gate
changing places with the lordly Dives, to
whose mansion IL was the entrance. II Is re-
freshing to find the poor clerk transformed into
millionaire, and the widows son raised to
opulence and honor without q miracle. And
VII this without petroleum that "gem Of
purest ray serene" which "the dark, un-
fathomed caves" Of 1863 had scarcely brought
TO light What may we not expect hereafter, II
spontaneous combustion does not cnsue from
the too rapid development Of inHammable ma
terials raised so suddenly TO the surface'
Corp Down AND TIE REBEL OPERATIONS
Drro-Gcld fell on Saturday TO 1913, fact
which has made the rebel operators here very
shaky. With all their mannuvrcs they could
not keep up tho price of The precious metal.
They have gone clean down INTO Aeig boots