The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-04 00:00:00

A NEW GUN.

We pointed out a short time ago the necessity which
exists for the supply to our field artillery of guns of
greater power than any now in their possession, and we
expressed an opinion that a muzzle-loading gun of
about 12 cwt., throwing a 151 b. or 161 b. shell, with a
charge of powder of about one-fifth the weight of the
shot, is the sort of weapon which is wanted. We are
glad to learn that steps are being taken for the
introduction of a field gun of this sort, which will un-
questionably be the most powerful field gun in Europe,
owing to the high velocity which its projectiles will
attain and the capacity and power of those projectiles.
It cannot be too strongly insisted upon that high velocity
and flatness of trajectory are points of first importance in
field guns, and these elemeuts are determined, ccetaris
paribus, by the relation of the charge to the weight
of the shot. In all the Continental artilleries the charge
is far less than one-fifth the weight of the shot. The
French charge is between one-seventh and one-eighth, the
Austrian the same, the Russian between one-ninth and one-
tenth, and the Prussian field-guns fire charges of one-eighth
in their 9-pounders and one eleventh in their 15-pounders.
Perhaps those who argue that because the Prussian
artillery won the battle of Sedan, therefore we ought to
copy it in every detail, will presently tell us that our field
guns ought to throw their shell with low veloci-
ties and high trajectories. The argument would
be quite as sound as that by which it is at-
tempted to prove from the battle of Sedan that it is
better to insert a projectile at the breech than at the
muzzle. However, artillerists are not likely to blunder
into these ridiculous errors, and our new field gun will, we
doubt not, be vastly superior to any foreign weapon of the
sort, notwithstanding that it will in all fundamental
respects be diametrically opposite to the vaunted Prussian
field guns. —Pall Mall Gazette.

ACCIDENT TO THE BANGOR MAITA—Eaily on
Saturday morning an accident occurred to the Bang-or mail
a short distance from Huddersfield, on the London and
North-Western Railway, by which the mail was delayed
for about two or three hours. The mail is timed to arrive
in Huddersfield at 1.46, leaving Manchester at 12.24, and
Liveipool about eleven. It had been preceded by a
luogage train bound from Birmingham for Leeds, and
which was proceeding through what is known as the
Johney-wood cutting at Paddock,. about half or three-
quarters of a mile from Huddersfield, and which nearly
takes the form of the letter S, when the mail came
up in . the rear and ran into the train. The
guard's van and several of the waggons were
completely upturned and strewn across the line, blocking
it. As both trains were moving at the time of the accident
the shock which was experienced was not so great as it
otherwise would have been. How the guard of the baggage
train escaped is rather a mystery. None of the passengers
by the mail were seriously injured, but they received a
severe shaking.

DUNVILLE and Co., Belfast, are the largest holders
of whisky in the world. Their Old Irish Whisky is recommended
by the medical profession in preference to French brandy. Sup-
plied in casks and cases for home use or exportation. Quotations
on application to Messrs I)UNVILLE Co., Royal Irish Dix
tilleries, Belfast ; or at thei London Offices, 4,, Beaufort Buildings
Strand, W. 0,,