The Press.
London, England, 1854-03-18 00:00:00

THE PRESS

collected in any part of the world has been lately de-
posited in the British Museum, through the liberality
and research of the Hon. Edward Chitty, one of the
judges of Jamaica. The perfect novelty of such a
unique collection in this little-studied branch of na-
tural history will, it is presumed, be a great attrac-
tion to inquiring and curious visitors, and will at
once secure for this interesting class of shells such a
position within the rooms of the Museum as all
comers may have the opportunity of viewing with ad-
miration this fresh illustration of the wonderful
works of nature.

ROYAL PANOPTICON, LEICESTER-SQUARE—On Thurs-
day last a considerable number of persons, by the
invitation of the council, had an opportunity of in-
specting this extraordinary building and the objects
of art and science it contains. The strange and
fantastic Saracenio architecture of the exterior
is surpassed by the gorgeous splendours within. All
parts of the building are worth attention ; but the
central hall, circular in form, and surmounted by a
dome, exceeds all that imagination can conceive. By
an optical illusion, its altitude appears much greater
than the diameter, although, in fact, the dimensions
are the same—ninety-seven feet either way. In the
centre of the floor is a fountain, the basin of which
has a margin of bright and beautiful mosaic ; while
from the dome above light falls through coloured
and enamelled glass thirty-two feet in diameter,
which is surrounded by its margin of sixteen star-
shaped lesser lights as bright as the mosaic colours
beneath. Three tiers of light galleries encircle the
rotunda, and they are apparently supported by thin
columns, octagonal in shape and covered with golden-
coloured glass. Every resource of decorative art
seems to have been lavished on this hall; and the
effect, though gorgeous in the extreme, is highly
pleasing. In the dome deep blue with golden stars
predominates. Machinery in motion, statuary, manu
factures—the useful and the beautiful blended—
occupy the rotunda; and the objects around, with
the rolling music, reminded us of the Great Exhibi-
tion, although that was vast and simple, this elabo-
rately minute. The object of the institution is to
improve the mind whilst delighting the eye, and this
will he effected by lectures as well as the exhibition
of objects. The Panopticon will be open to the
public, we believe, on Monday. On Thursday the
band of the Blues was in attendance, and, though
the view VMS private, the audience was numerous.
We regret to add that the sudden indisposition of
Lord John Manners deprived the audience of the
advantage of an inaugural address which that accom-
plished nobleman was to have delivered on this
interesting occasion.
WILLIS'S Rooms.—We lately attended a lecture
delivered by Mr. Stocqueler on the topography of
the seat of war in the East., and on the past and
passing events of the Eastern question. The
attendance was good, and the lecturer was much
applauded. Mr. Stocqueler has acquired the art of
telling an audience all they wish to know without
theatrical display or apparent effort to himself. The
lectures are, we believe, to be continued.