The Sun.
London, England, 1870-11-15 00:00:00

INCREASE OF OUR ARTILLERY.

We are glad to hear that Mr. Cardwell has decided to
make a large increase to our field artillery. We believe
that this branch of our forces is to be augmented by
twenty batteries, or, in other words, 120 guns, which, with
our present 180 guns, will give us 300 field guns for home
defence, and for operation, if necessary, on the continent.
It is satsfactory to find that one of the lessons of the
present war--one of its most important lessons—has had
a really useful' effect.. This augmentation of our field
artillery force will contribute largely tawards that general
increase of our military strength which it is our duty and
our interest to effect.—Pall Mall Gazette.

ri:HE TOTAL SOLAR E c LlPsE.—Her Majesty's
Government on Saturday evening consented to provide a
ship and further assistance for the observation of the total
solar eclipse in the south of Spain on the 22nd of December
next.

The Germans are carrying out their design of guarding
against injuries to railway trains by mounting some
leading French citizen on the engine as a hostage. At
Nancy the President of the Court of Appeal has been sent
to accompany the stoker. The President of the Chamber
of Commerce, a judge, a barrister have also occupied the
post of danger.
CUSTOMS REFORM.—We understand that con-
siderable administrative reforms are about to be intro-
duced into the Customs. The statistical department will
be completely reorganised : and the new arrangements
will enable the Government to suppress the branch of the
department which has hitherto furnished the reports of
the exports and imports, thus dispensing with the services
of some fifty clerks. The large reserve funds at the dis-
posal of the Customs will enable these savings to be effected
without any cost to the public or any disregard of private
interests.—Observer.

THE MINISTRY.--The Premier left his residence
on Carlton-house-terrace on Saturday for Sir Stephen
Glynne's seat, Hawarden Castle, Flintshire but Mrs.
Gladstone still remains in town. The Lord President of
the Council left town by mail train on Saturday for
Studley Royal, his seat, in Yorkshire. Viscount Halifax
(Lord Privy. Seal) also left town on Saturday for Hickle-
ton Hall, Yorkshire. Earl Granville left on Saturday for
Walmer Castle. His lordship in all probability will re-
turn in the course of the week- for transaction of public
business at the Foreign Office. The Earl of Kimberley has
gone to his seat in Norfolk.
EMIGRATION PROSPERITY.—Mr. Maguire, a
gentleman connected with the Canadian press, who is at
present travelling through England, desseminating infor-
mation in the interests of emigration to Quebec, has
handed us a pamphlet prepared by order of the Provincial
Governments. If its statements are to be trusted, great
advantages are expected to accrue to the Province from
the immigration of a good class of settlers, and to these
the inducements offered are a certainty that industry and
thrift will insure ease, comfort, and, in time, affluence.—
Daily News.

FATAL RAILWAY COLLISION. About eleven
o'clock yesterday morning, a railway accident occurred at
Newport, Monmouthshire. A line of railway, used only
for goods traffic, connects the two stations at that town.
On this line a luggage train stopped, just at a steep
gradient. The line curves sharply at this place, so that
the driver of the second train could not see anything of
the stoppage. Receiving no warning, he ran into the
standing carriages. The guard's van of the still train was
consequently smashed, but fortunately there was no one
in it, nor were the driver and stoker of the still train
much injured. On the other engine, however, Thomas
Archer was killed, and the driver and stoker were very
much shaken.