The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-30 00:00:00

appear before the world as an united nation, it is
most desirable to get rid of all points of internal
discord, and to pass something. For all questions
of administrative reform it is absolutely necessary,
if you would do anything beyond talk about first
principles, and population statistics, and poor law
ratings, to pass something. These are the public
reasons. There are very important and private
reasons also. To every man who works in hope of
a little grouse shooting this year or next year we
would suggest that his interest renders it of the
utmost importance that he should pass something.
To the Tory who wishes to see his way into some
small little oasis of office we suggest that he cannot
hope fora chance while this fatal engagement stands
in the way. The Conservatives have signed the
bond, they have sold themselves to that county
ten-pound demon, and they can never be free until
they have passed something. To the Whigs it may
be hinted that they will, not be allowed to go on
for ever producing little models that won't work,
clumsy little machines that will not get the
steam up. They must do their work soon, or
it will be taken out of their hands. They have
promised Mr. Bright to jump into that quart
bottle, and now that Mr. Bright is not in a con-
dition to be very truculent they had better com-
promise by performing some more possible trick,
and—pass something. Pass something-some-
thing that all parties will agree upon. We don't
presume to prescribe, but something that will pass
Oily through both houses. Arrange the machi-
nery, if you will, so that the registration shall re-
quire two clear years before a dissolution can take
place. Declare publicly that so snail au alteration
will not require a dissolution. Leave the seats, if
you please, as they are. According to present ap-
pearances the places you intended to enfranchise
will only use their power to send railway men to
Parliament, and this interest is quite strongenough
there at present. Compromise the matter in any
way, but do put an end to this grievous block,
and let the public business and domestic legislation
go on. Do pass something.—Times.

TUE LIME LIGHT ON IVES MINSTER

BRIDGE'.

For some evenings past the completed portion
of the new Westminster-bridge has been lighted by
the new lime light, and has presented a brilliant
appcaranCe. There are 10 lights on the bridge—
about one third of the number of the old gas lights.
The light is of a pure white colour and of
dazzling brilliancy, making all the old gas-burners
in the proximity appear as dull as thoughthey were
burning in the bright sunlight at noonday. It was
to this description of light that ProfeSsor Faraday
referred when he stated it was so intense that it
could be distinctly seen for a distance of 95 miles,
and the correctness of this statement was verified
during the Ordnance survey of Scotland, when one
of these lights, placed as a station mark on the top
of Ben Lomond, was distinctly seen at the Klock
Layd, between 90 and 100 miles distant. A single
jet of the lime light of medium size is equivalent to
40 argand, or 80 fish-tail gasburners, or to 400 wax
candles ; and its intensity and brilliancy may be in-
creased by augmenting the quantity of gases sup-
plied. As compared with the illuminating power
of common gas, a single jet, consuming four cubic
feet of the mixed gases of hydrogen and oxygen, is
said to be equal in illuminating power to.that ob-
tained from 400 feet of ordinary gas. The mode in
which the light is produced is by the combustion of
lime under the great heat caused, by the flame of
the mixed gases. A stream of common gas, which
is used instead of pure hydrogen, is conducted
through one pipe, and a supply of oxygen is sent
through a second one, each being attached to sepa-
rate gas-holders. These pipes terminate near the
lamp in one single tube, where the gases are allowed
to mix in their way through a curved jet to what may
be called the wick of the lamp, which is simply a
lump of lime, held in close proximity to the mouth of
the curved tube by a piece of metal. In lighting the
lamp the first step is to direct the stream of hydro-
gen upon the lime; it is lighted, and gives forth a
small flame of a pale yellow colour. In a few
seconds after this pale colour gives place to a deep
red, caused by the combustion of the metal cal•
cium in the lime, under the great heat of the
hydrogen flame. When the lime is in this state
the Oxygen is turned on, and instantly the bright
white light is produced, which will continue as long
as the " wick" remains unconsumed. The supply
of lime is kept up by the action of,simple clockwork
machinery, which raises the material as it burns
down, at a rate of speed varying
,according to the
progress of the combustion. There is nothing of an
expensive character about the light, and with ordi-
nary care it may be used with perfect safety. At
present the oxygen gas is conveyed in bags to the
pipes, as the gas-holders provided are not sufficiently
large to contain the quantity required for the
night's consumption. The works required for the
completion of the remaining portions of the new
bridge are being pushed forward with considerable
activity. The carriage-way and footpath on the
eastern side of the old bridge are in course of re-
moval for the purpose of lowering the surface, and
a large portion of the centre and two adjoining
arches has been taken down. It is necessary to
lower this part of the bridge in order to admit of
persons crossing it during the progress of the works,
as the travelling cranes overhead would be only a
few inches above the highest part of the old road-
way. The removal of the crown of the centre arch
and carting away several feet of the roadway will
afford the necessary accommodation. As soon as
this alteration has been effected on the one half of
the bridge the foot passengers will be reqUired to
pass on that side, the western half will be imme-
diately taken down, and its place supplied as soon
as possible .by another section of the new iron
bridge.