The Sun.
London, England, 1869-02-15 00:00:00

NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE.

A GUA. AMARELLP- restores the Human Hair
to its pristine hue, no matter at what age.
JNO. GOSNELL and CO. have at length, with the aid
of one of the most eminent Chemists, succeeded in perfect-
ing this wonderful liquid. It is now offered to the public
in a more concentrated form, and at a lower price.
Sold in bottles, 35. each ; also ss:, 7s. 6d., and 15s. each.
including brush.

Red
Bull Wharf, Angel-passage, 93, Upper Thames.
street London. E.C.

EATR E ROYAL, DR UR Y - LANI
and Manager. Mr. F. B. Chatfrrton.

5‘.4.3

THIS EVENING will perrormed IJY WIFE'S OUT.
To he followed by the Great Christmas Pantomime, entitled
GRIMALKIN 'I HE GREAT; on, HARLEQUIN Puss is BOOTS,
&No TIIE MILLER's SONS, with new and magnificent Scenery
oy Mr. Wm. Beverley. Characters in the Opening by the entire
strength of the company. In the Harlequinade a Double Troupe
of Pantomimists; and combining the grandest stage effects of
any Pantomime ever produced at this theatre. Doors open at
half-past 8, commence at 7. Box-office open from 10 till 5 daily.

"THEATRE ROYAL, HA YMARKET
Sole Lessee. Mr. BueZtone.

THIS EVENING. RAISING TILE WIND: Messrs. Ken-
dal, Clark, Rogers, Bnckstone, jun., and Mesdames Laws, Dal-
ton,

After which, II031E: Messrs. Sothern, Chlppendale, Comp•
ion, A srey, kc, ; Mesilamcs Cavendish, Burke, Hill. tc. _

Concluding with THE FRIGHTFUL HAIR. essrs. Comp
ton, Kendal, Wcathersby, Duel:stone, jun., &c. ; Mesdames
Caroline Hill, Scott, Gwynn, &c.
Boa-office open daily.

Monopolies of all kinds are, we may hope, going
permanently out of fashion, and although it is
usually a very slow and tedious process to get rid of
one altogether, there is little fear that once disposed
of it will ever regain its position. It is probably for
this reason that individuals and companies are alike
very unwilling to make any concession, or to surren-
der any part of the influence or authority which they
possess. They are not likely to recover the lost
ground, and accordingly they spare no effort to resist
the attacks of the besiegers while they are yet en-
trenched in their stronghold. Our gas companies,
however, which enjoy the privilege of charging us what
they please for an almost indispensable convenience,
are being seriously threatened, and they will have to
prepare themselves for a long promised and much
needed change. The expense, and inefficiency, and
discomfort, of our metropolitan management
has actually passed the bounds of an Englishman's
patience. Londoners have exhausted their tradi-
tional privilege of grumbling, and they begin to
think that the time for definite action has come. The
scheme for dividing Loudon into municipalities has
found so much favour with the public that it is very
likely we shall soon see it definitely carried into
effect. Mr. BRIGHT observed the other day that
memorials in its favour had been signed by one-
third of the inhabitants of the metropolis. Our gas
reformers, however, are unwilling to wait for the
fulfilment of this scheme, and a day or two ago a
deputation from the metropolitan vestries and dis-
trict boards waited on Mr. BRIGHT at the Board of
Trade-office to call his attention to the subject. The
principal object of the delegates was to impress upon
the right hon. gentleman the desirability of pro-
ceeding with a measure of which his predecessor had
given notice, which provided that the Board of Trade
or any local authorities might, under certain circum-
stances, purchase the existing works. The bill em-
powered the authorities to make such purchase by
agreement or compulsion, its framers having appa-
rently in view the probable reluctance of the gas com-
panies to consent to arty invasion of their powers.
It enabled them, too, to erect additional gas works if
the consumers were not supplied with gas at reason-
able rates. The deputation reminded Mr. Butoter
that it was desirable the Board of Trade should pro-
ceed with the bill without delay, as the Imperial and
other companies had asked Parliament for largily in-
creased powers, and for an increase of capital. The
plan proposed is not a new one. Last year the City
of London obtained similar powers, and have since
made arrangements by which they obtain gas at 3s.
9d. per 1,000 cubic feet, a reduction which it is cal-
culated
_will save the City no less than £44,000 in
this year, and twice that amount next. Mr. BRIGHT,
referring to the suggestion about the municipal sub-
division of London, asked whether it would not be
better to defer the matter until that question was
settled ; but one of the delegates answered that the
question of municipalities had been under discussion
since 1835, and might remain open some time longer.
We hope that matters are moving a little faster in
the way of metropolitan reform than this remark
would imply, but it is undoubtedly true that the task
may be a tedious one, as it will inevitably be one of
much difficulty, owing to the strong and interested
opposition the proposal will meet with. But though
the exciting questions which are pressing on the no-
tice of Parliament may possibly leave some time for less
imminent matters even in the session now at hand,
the vestries and district boards are no doubt perfectly
right in refusing to defer any action until a scheme
as yet visionary has assutned a definite shape. If the
gas companies are seeking an extension of powers
which are already excessive, it is quite time that their
authority was curbed by a superiorauthority. Atpre-
sent they enjoy a complete monopoly. London is
divided into districts, each of which is supplied by
its own local company. Supposing any dis-
pute to arise between a consumer and his
district company,
he has no redress.
company make their own
bye-laws,reasona and n
The
charge what they like
within
They are perfectly we'l reasonable limits
aware that it is idle for
any individual to fight
against a company, and
that gas, almost indispensable to the pursuit of
pleasure, business, or study, is not
manufacture. A quarrel with the
district
company
means a loss of gas, and very few
are inclined to
bring so unpleasant an alterna • tive upon themselves.
Where power is thus in concentrated '
a few hands, the
results are certain to be mischievous. T
he system is
financially mistaken as well as morally iu
error. No doubt the diminution
in the
price of gas will in a short time enlarge
the number of consumers, and thus actually
augmentithe receipts of the gas companies. At present
it is not surprising that the shareholders are very re-
luctant to give up their comfortable dividends or to
hear even a rumour that such a sacrifice may be de-
demanded from them. We do not want centralisa-
tion, and have no desire to be " Ilausamanized,"
even though our vestries and corporations conduct
their affairs in a somewhat primitive fashion. Still
we may reasonably ask whether so important a
requisite as gas should be wholly dependent on the
the caprice of a self-constituted bo ly, and we may
hope that Mr. BRIGHCS words in dismissing the

dopntation were something more than mere words of
course ; and that when he proudied the in fitter
of ga reform shod 1 have hii full con9iderati.m,
he really int,mded to call the notice of the Cabinet
to the need which exists for a thorough nvision of
the whole system of metropolitan gas supply.

As we were enabled to announce on Saturday, the
bishops have determined that they will not issue a
joint manifesto on the Ritual question, but each in
his own diocese will give the best advice in his power.
Thus the bishops at Lambeth have come to the same