24 DECEMBER 1842, Page 1

appearance proportioned to his position though not to his means,

need a vast step in intelligence and legal order before these treat-, It will be observed that all the explicit objections are taken to sons can be suffered to await less summary chastisement. the mode of levying the tax, rather than to its principle. People The conduct of the French Consul derives importance from the object to other taxes-td a Corn-tax, or a Sugar-tax—as bad in pother of discussion raised about it, and from the statement that principle; but, to the Income-tax as bad because its enforcement the Kim of the French was a direct instigator of M. LESSRPS in. is involved in endless trouble—doubts even as to what the law abetting rebellion. The subject is more obscured than it Was really is or how it is to be obeyed, a.ed which doubts there is no at firlit by contradictory assertions, which are yet not altogether ready means of getting resolved. There was an equal outcry incompatible. These things appear: the French Consul has re- against the former income-tax; yet that very law was taken by Sir ceived promotion in the Legion of Honour since his conduct was' Reimer Peea for a model, and without simplification or essential made known in France ; it is roundly asserted that Louis Futures- improvement. Instead of taking that particular enactment, so gave him directions without the privity of the French Foreign generally execrated, as an example ad evitandum, it was appro. Minister ; some of the most odious charges against him, such as' priated with some modifications of detail. How much better would his having held prisoners VAN Ilamtiv's wife, and daughters, are it have been to make a new one altogether : not to consider what partly explained away ; some of the French papers afflict to dig- Lord LIVERPOOL Or Lord HENRY PETTY, Or any other statesman, credit, and conditionally to disavow, the political conduct imputed did or approved in the last generation, failing of success ; but what to him; and it is explained that the reward given to hincis..but a- wes the object to be attained, what the best means, and what the tribute to public *pinion in France before the Aneetieg of the best method of avoiding the former unpopularity. The Premier Chambers. The last clause is likely enotigh, and it'wonld account failed thichigh the weakness which too often goes with discretion for much that seems extravagant or inconsistent in, all the rest. It in statesmen, a reliance above all things on precedent. But at it is true, the implication of die French Government in the affair, •