The Sun.
London, England, 1869-06-19 00:00:00

3AS BITIMEItS.

Londoners have complained a great deal of the
badness of the quality of their gas. But the improve-
ment of their light was m the hands of the consumers
themselves, though they certainly did not know it.
Very few seem to have proper ideas of the function
of the gas burner, and the burner is of the utmost
importance as regards the clearness of the light, its
brilliancy, and the amount of gas wasted. The subject
has been officially investigated, and the report of those
to whom it was referred demonstrates the importance
of getting the very best burners. Tho most
popular burners seem specially designed to
make the least of the most gas. Taking a
certain standard—and that not a high one—
the referees found that most of the ordinary fishtail
burners gave only about 80 per cent. of light, some
even less than this; three purchased at random
being found to give respectively only 27, 24, and 23
per cent. of the light which the same quantity of gas..
would have given from the standard burner. In
two offices of daily newspapers, in which an unusual
quantity of gas is burned, and unusual necessity for
good light exists, it was found that the burners prin-
cipally in use waste.l about half the gas—theamount of
light got from them being from 47 to 49 per cent, of
what the same quantity of gas may be made to give.
Then an attempt was made to find good burners.
Advertisements were issued, and a large number of
samples were obtained to be tested. One of these,
" Sugg's New London Argand," of twenty-four
holes, surpassed the standard burner by making 16
per cent. more of the gas than even that burner
did. The French " Bengel Argand "is found to
make 12 per cent, more, while Leoni's " Standard "
and his " Albert Crutch Argand" were exactly
level ,with the standard. None of the fishtails
seem to be. as economical for common gas as the
argands, though fOr cannel gas they are far more
so ; the best fishtails Leoni's No. 8, Strode's No. 6,
and Sugg's
Steatite No. 6 being 26 or 27 per cent.
lower In economy than the New London Argand.
The common batswing burner,
in its best samples,
is of about the same illuminating power as the fish-
tails, and Bronner's patent with steatite top, stands
to the " New London Argand," now adopted as the
standard, as 99 to 116. Gas consumers should take
heed to these facts.
CANADA AND THE IRISH CHURCH.

The Canadian Legislature is interested in the
Irish Church question. Gratified by the way in
which reference has been made to the disestablish-
ment of the Canadian Church, the Liberal members
Of the colonial House of Commons were most
anxious to express an opinion upon the
measure which is now causing so much
anxiety in this country. A Mr. Holton,
the other day, moved a series of resolutions,
expressing sympathy with the disestablishment and
disendowment of the Irish Church. Ile justified his
motion on the ground that the people of Canada have
a right, through their representatives, to express
their opinions on a matter of imperial concern.
The Premier,.. Sir John Macdonald, took the
opposite view—that the subject was not one
upon which the Parliament of the Dominion were
entitled to pronounce a judgment. In the debate
which followed there was, it is stated, " a pretty
general concurrence of sentiment against the Irish
Church." Ultimately the previous question was put,
and the motion was thus got rid of. Forty-nine
members—chiefly representatives of ultra-Liberal
constituencies—persisted in voting for the resolu-
tions.

FOREIGN NOTES.
NEUTRALITY OF THE SUEZ CANAL.

The Times Berlin correspondent fully confirms the
statement which we made a few days ago respecting the
object of the Viceroy of Egypt's tour through
Europe. His Highness is sufficiently familiar with
modern internatior al law to be acquainted with
the neutrality chapter, and to wish t 6 secure for
the Suez Canal the advantages exemption from war
confers. He has come to Europe chiefly to interest the
Powers in an arrangement which, in the event of inter-
national collision, is to keep open the canal for merchant
ships, but close it to men-of-war. And very natural this
wish is. In case of war in the Mediterranean the canal
would become an unmitigated nuisance, instead of a benefit
to Egypt. It would certainly be made one of the chief
points ofcontention,
a battle-field to
decide itsand Egypt would be selected
as possession. The equity of
the proposal is so obvious that Austria, though not wish-
ing to be the first to decide, is unquestionably in its favour.
Prussia, too, is sure to approve if England, as is con-
fidently expected, does so. Italy is the same way inclined.
France and Russia, however, do not seem to see the thing
in an analogous light. The former Power, having
constructed the canal, is disposed to look for some special
advantage from it; but this difficulty, the Times corres-
pondent thinks, may be got over. The opposition of
Russia will, of course, be irreconeileable.

RESULTS OF WAR RUMOURS.

The world has grown so weary of the bootless quarrels
between the newspapers of France and Prussia that they
have ceased to excite more than the most languid interest.
There can be no doubt, however, that they produce evil
effects in disturbing trade, especially in Germany. From
Berlin we learn that at the wool markets now held in the
East provinces—markets of world-wide fame—prices
ehew a great reduction over those of last year. All
qualities have suffered alike. Sheep-breeding being a
leading pursuit in East Prussia, the whole body of
large proprietors feel the loss, which is attributed to the
disturbed state of politics. And yet the Patrie still con-
tinues to accuse Prussia of sinister designs on her smaller
neighbours.

SETTLEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT DIFFICULTY IN SPAIN.
The Regency Bill has been passed by the Cortes, and
Marshal Serrano has been solemnly appointed Regent.
At last, then, an attempt to give Spain a settled form of
Government has proved successful. But it appears that
fresh difficulties have broken out between the Republicans
and the majority. One of the Ministers has announced
that meetings in which were used banners with mottoes
against monarchy would be prohibited, as also " Vivas ! "
in favour of the republic, as being subversive of, and con-
trary to, the Constitution. The leaders of the Republican
party, in reply, have declared their intention of maintain-
ing their rights. Great sensation was caused by this
quarrel. The Republicans are holding numerous meetings
in the large towns.

THE GENERAL COUNCIL.
France has decided to be represented at the General
Council. According to the Memorial. Diplomatique, the
French Ambassador at Rome has received instructions to
arrange the matter with the Pope. His overtures have
been received in the most cordial manner at the Vatican.
His Holiness has expressed his satisfaction at the initiative
taken by the French Government, and hopes that the
other Catholic Powers will not fail to follow the example.

BELGIUM.
A day or two ago the Belgian Government was defeated
in the Brussels Senate on some amendments inserted in a
bill for the abolition of imprisonment for debt. This
defeat has rendered the position of the Ministry exceed-
ingly difficult ; for M. Fr'Zre-Urban does not wish to dis-
solve the Senate, because he is apprehensive that the
hostile majority would again be elected, in which case the
entire Government must resign. The Patrie thinks a resig•
nation in any ease inevitable, and rejoices at the prospect
on the ground that the Opposition are disposed "to
come to a more ittimate understanding with France on
the railway question." This is an admission that France
is at present not getting all she would wish from the
Belgian Government.

BROTHERLY' LOVE.
The Turkish Government, which naturally views with
jealousy any proceeding of the Egyptian Viceroy
which savours of independence, has, happily, found an
ally in Mustapha Pacha, the Viceroy's younger brother.
Between these two relatives irreconcileable hatred pre-
vails. The younger has been disinherited through a
change in the law of succession, and he attributes his loss
to his brother. The Turkish Government profits by this
difference to humiliate the Viceroy. Mustapha Pacha
is employed to shew the world that the Viceroy is not
an independent Prince, hut a vassal. Whilst
the Viceroy
was in Vienna, l'lustapha was there too,
and stayed iu the city without 'seeing him, departing a
day in advance. He remained in Berlin twenty-four
hours, leaving twelve hours before the arrival of his
brother. -Western princes often do small things, but
they do not often strive to reveal the extent of their little-
mos to the outer' world as does this unhappy Oriental.