The Express.
London, England, 1862-04-24 00:00:00

angles of its base ate dolphins, and in the intervals •
&mime alts-relievo cupidirbearing erns from which
water flow, into crystal shells beneath. Columns
`of
lapis lazuli,and silver, support a dome covering
• jet which playa into a miniature basin. On the
summit is'seated a Venus whom flying cupids are
unveiling, they likewise support a glass to receive
Limit or flowers.' The plateau of the above is a oir-
'cular railing bearing several Tidily chased vases,
and the interiors arranged as a jardiniem..
The gnat dial Around the stained glass widow
at the eastern end of the nave, measuring nearly
40 feet in diameter, is worked by a dock made by
Dent, maker of the great dock at the Westminster
i'Pa/aos. la this clock the aim has been to show
that the hands few an immense dial ean be worked
beck,comparatively mull moveineat. In large
two seconds pendulums, of about 15 feet in
'length, are almost always used ; the attempt is
here made to show that one of 8 feet long is suffi-
cient for this great' dial. 'The movement of this,
with the exception of the escapement, is of iron.
- This firm has also in the eastern transept a fine
specimen of the-Mutat cloak striking the hours on
a bell weig4i,l between *roe and four tons, and
• klie quarters on four smaller bells. The whole of
.1 the wheels are Ceinpmed of gun metal, and though
Working four dab of only 7 ft. diameter iii the
building, the. apparatus is capable hi

Professor Bennett's cantata, which he was cons-
missioned to compose for the inauguration of the
International Exhibition, was placed in the bands
of the Sacred. Harinooic Society more than three
weeks ago, WI will be performed, together with
the contributions of Messrs. Meyerbeer and •
Auber, at the grand opening Me on the ist of
May. Professor Bennett's work is to be cos-
dpiziattlere famous French violinist, M.
- hale piameas6ll6lll
ven un• whim
e. der the direction of M. Costa. /r su
b-
join a oopy of the words of the Poet Laureate's
new cantata, for which Professor Bennett has
composed the music :
Uplift a thousand mime full and sweet,
In this wide hall with earth's inventions stored,
And praise th' invisible universal Lord,
Who lets once more in peace the nations meet,
Where Science, Art, and reboot have ontpour'd
Their myriad horns of plenty at our feet.
0, silent father of our Hinge to be,
liourn'd in this golden hour of jubilee.
For We, for all, we weep our *auks to thee I'
The world.compelling plan wu thine,
And, In ! the long laborious mile
•
Of Palms ; lo I the giant aisles,
Rich is model and design ;
Iferviet-tool and husbandry,
Loom and wheel and migiu'ry,
Secrete of the sullen mine,
Steel end gold, and corn and wine,
Fabric rough or Fairy fine,
Sonny tames of the Line,
Polar marvel,. 11111111110110;
Of weeder, out of West sad Past,
And shapes and bum of Part divine I
All of beauty, all of use,
That one fair planet ma produce,
Brought from eider wiry Mar,
Blown from over every grin,
And mixt, as life is mist with pals,
The works of peace with works of war.
0 ye, the wise who think, the wise who reign,
From growing commerce loose her latest ohs,*
And let the fair white-winged peacemaker fly
To happy b cider all the sky,
And min the mamas sod the goldee bows,
Till each own lad his own in all good,
And all rase work is noble bootasstsood,

"xney nave
w.
a smaller on showing the time only, the construc-
tion of which demands Special attention. The
' maintaining potter which continues the performance
of the clock while: winding, has the advantage of
exerting an equal force derieg the whole time d
winding, as well as the capability of tllllltiplyiag
the winding power et discretion. The rdmootoire i
in this clock is driven by a weight hanging from a
drum, thus equalizing the force and avoiding the
effects of a varying temperature experienced in a
spring rdmontoire. The description of gravity
lasevement used in this clock is particularly *de,
It being acezeely possible to make it trip.
They also have two other clocks showing the com-
bination of coat iron with brass or Sun metal in
the trains, the ono adapted for striking the hours
only, the other home and qnarters. Adjoining the
above 'will be found specimens of the Astronondeal
4nula tor, in which perfection of workmanship
aces, au accuracy of performance, thus submit-
their• turret clock to as severe a test as possible.
claw 13 in the same gallery, they exhibit
specimens of their patent dipleidoimopes—axis and
fluid ship compasses, among which will be found
various compasses as supplied to the Royal Navy,
fiber with the celebrated lifeboat compass.
Mr. F. Dent, of Cockspur-street (a distinct inn),
will also exhibit some rich examples of heraldic
enamelling on watch cases, and a new balance con-
structed to resist every 'extreme of temperature.
While on the subject of watches we must not
}ass by a collection of curious antiques exhibited
tor Mr. Benson of Ladgate-hill, intended in some
degree to illustrate the gradual rise and progress of
watch-making and watch-ornamentation. One of
the earliest is of the ordinary vertical construction,
but hat a gut instead of a winding chain, and has
no penduluni spring. The case is covered with
shagreen, curiously ornamented with a regular
pattern formed of small sold pins, which also serve
to atteeh the shagreen cover to the body of the tem
The dial is of enamel, the centre blue, surrounded
by an edge of white, on which the hours are painted
in black The maker's name is " Goublone,
Paris. "
Theta are also two very curious old silver watches
of an oval foam, maker's lain% " Giriekin, Fleet-
street," Tire also are without a hair opting, and
have a windinggut instead of a 'halm
The next which claims our attention is of about
the same date, and with the same peculiarities
which mark the three preceding. Its distinguish-
ing feature is the case, which is cut from a solid
Brazilian topaz. Ip. is beautifully worked and
polished.
Following these is a small but beautifully con-
structed verge watch, which for accuracy of con-
struction and elaboration of finish would put to
shame many of the present day. The case is eat
from an agate mounted in gold, set with diamonds,
and forms altogether an exquisite piece of work-
manship, the maker's name, Archanib, London.*
The next is of the verti •
al construction, remark-
able only for two very fine enamel paintings on the
case--one of "The adoration of the Shepherds,"
the other " The/light into Egypt."
The peculiarity of the next is that it is wound up
at the centre pinion by which the hands are set in
modern watches, while to put the watch to the time
it is necessary to move its one band with the finger.
Maker's name, " Gaudron, k Pavia."
The next in the collection is of the same con-
struction as that first described, but the watch
demands particular attention from the very splendid
enamels with which the case is ornamented. These
enamels, one of which is outside and one inside
the ease (which is made of iron), are evidently
portraits of some distinguished persons ; but who
they are intended to represent is uncertain. We
should think, however, from the dark, melancholy
character of the outer portrait that it was intended
for Charles 1., while the exaggerated hair and
vivacions expression of countenance of its neigh-
bour betokens a French original. Maker's name,
" Rigault, h Blois."
The next is supposed to be a relic of the cele-
brated parliamentarian, Pym. It is of the
vertical construction, and repeats the hours on
a bell, fixed within the case. The outer case is of
brass, covered with tortoiseshell, which is orna-
mented in the same manner as the first described.
On the inner part of the case is scratched " John
f:yme, his watche, A.D. 1628." Maker's name,
Johannes Bayed, Londini."
The last which we shall have occasion to notice is
of the horizontal construction and evidently modern
make. Its great peculiarity is that it shows the
month, day of the montb, day of the week, hour
minute, second, age and first, second, or third
quarter of the moon. This very curious watch has
no lees than six hands, three of which are affixed
to the mune, while the other three are opposite
the figures S 6, and 9 respectively. Maker's name,
" Barton, ti Liege."
We should decidedly recommend those of our
readers who purpose visiting the Great Exhibition
of 1862 to inspect these very curious relics.
Mr. Benson has not confined his show to ancient
curiosities. His trophy clock we have already
touched upon in former numbers ; his collection of
modern watches will be large and varied, and be,
too, will be one of the few exhibitors showing an
improved balance constructed to resist extremes of
heat and cold.
The Princess Mary—a frequent visitor—went all
over the Exhibition yesterday.

Breakiag their mita Rule and armed tunes,
And relies by elseging astnre's powers,
And gathering all the fruits el pease rod crowed
with all her flowers.
Signor Verdi writes to the Times :
" Just arrived is London I hear that id ono of your
articles of the 191 b inst. it is stated that of the four com-
peer who were to write wilt a piece of music for the open-
ing of the Intarsithowal Inhibition I am the only one who
has not yet sent in mine. I beg to say this is not the fact.
On the 6th inst. • gentleman appointed by me wrote to the
secretary, Mr. &Data* that ray oompceition was in his
Male completely finished, and at the disposal of her Ma-
Commissioners. I have not composed a numb, as it
was Ira arranged, because Auber told me in Paris that be
INN compcsiing one for the occasion. I composed instead •
vocal solo with choruses, which Tamberlik kindly offered
himself to sing. 1 thought that this change would not
have displeased the royal commissioners, but indeed they
intimate that twenty-five days (sofficiest time to leant a
new opera) were not enough to learn this small piece, and
refuse to accept it. I wish to state this feet, not to give
any importance to • transaction is itself of no comithothos,
but only in order to rectify the mistake that I have not sent
in my compesition."
Every day develops some new beauty amongst
the articles arranged throughout the building, or
brings intelligence of rarities that are being kept
back until the last moment because of their deli-
( they and value. Some of the trophies improve
daily in appearance, although the British half of
the nave is far too crowded, and there are indica-
tions on all sides that, large as the building is, the
Commissioners could have tilled one double the
Mae. One trophy consists of decorative furniture
in the mediewitl style, another of decorative furni-
ture in the moduli style. The drinking fountains
in the nave are by Erh of Lambeth, and are made
of sculptured stone, enriched with Swiss, Devon-
shire, and other coloured marbles. A rich
leather trophy, exhibited by Messrs. Beviugton
and Sone, consists of various kinds of
leather and skins, with a machine for testing
the strength of leathers, paper, obc. The whole
structure is surmounted with a fallow deer and the
heads of various animals. The gun by Whitworth
is a 160- mid rifled cannon, and the collection of
Birminghsin small-arms consists of rifles, pistols,
swords, and bayonets. A richly-decorated organ
in the centre of the nave, on the British side, is
by Forster and Andrews, of Hull. It has 46 re-
gisters, 2,475 pipes, 6 composition pedals, 2 sfor-
undo pedals, and one pneumatic combination
pedal. It is 30 fret high, 22 feet wide, and 14 feet
deep. The pneumatic movement is applied to the
pest and pedal organs, and there are four different
pressures of wind. The bellows is blown by two of
Jay's hydraulic engines, having a water pressure
'of 3511 e. to the square inch.
The Norwich gates (also in the nave), made by
Memrs. Bishop and Barnard, have their massive
parts made in cast-iron, and their ornamental in
forged iron. The panels and wreaths round the
bars, he., consist of leaves and flowers executed
with the hammer and heraldic ornaments sur-
mount the principal gates and pillars. A finer or
more delicate piece of iron-work is seldom ex-
hibited.
The trophy of animal and vegetable substances,
designed by Mr. Leighton, is a prominent and
pleasing object, the substances being placed in the
compartmeuts of a hexagonal pile, standing upon
steps, and surmounted by a dome.
The trophy of works of sit in gold, silver, mil
jewels, exhibited by Mr. Harry Emanuel, wilform
one of the leading -British attractions of the nave.
This trophy is of ebouised wood, adorned with
bronze enrichments and inlaid marble. It is of I At the meeting of the Society of Arts last eves-
square form, with projecting. plinths, on which , mg, Mr. Henry Co e, CAI, in the chair, the paper read
stand four Caryatide bronze figures, 7 feet high, was "On the Effect of Prime in Improving Manufactures,"
representing the osseous, and supporting s carved by Mr. Samuel Sidney.
cornice from which rises a dome of very light and t Roeat DISTANS•RY Noe Diseases or rem Sirs.--
el
un'Thetiiitauti.ntalwtrthe of the governors and submit:leo of this
elegant' proportion:, 'unmounted by a very held yesterday in th boud•room of the
firm" " Mercury, copied frual the cffikbmted.. hospital, Deso-street, Soho • the Re:. T. D. ume, rubor
figure by John of Bologna. Three sides of the of West Hathaey, the chair.: Mr. H. Smyth, the eleamoo
trophy areipied by cases containing jewels, the' tary, read the report, which commenced by a defensoiC
tot° PreviimeibitioNyeees she al
whorpiteobtals enaidrisi.hadneeirepportbsd
fourth is ed by a railing enclosing various specie! hospital, fee particular disease, as much more
objects which, from their delicacy and elaborate
obsad to the patient&
incurableetiola dip
work, require closer and unimpeded impaction.
Mr. Emanuel also exhibits, amongst many rich hexane mosigm apes this subject at 'prat length pry
and valuable articles, • silver equestrian statuette ended to say that during the past year 2,06$ patients hi
of his Royalashrre the Prince of Wales, from a been admitted to the institution, of whom- SO wen
Marmodel by Weed. The prime is rape. charged oared, • snit the remainder greatly relieved.
stinted as Colonel of the 100th Regiment, and the eves titAmd"", (duesdieTwass.Pititabi dagyatiamaihm• latiorv=ifi
likeness of him is most accurate. He is mounted 7,43;;,- orth7—,
p.m cisme& Peverthillustrative auras w
ea a fine charger, which appears almost to live and then giveh. Phi report stated as a airless feet thstZ
the metros p:lis. The roped prego4.lb
there. great majority of onus came Rene the meth emi melba.
A laver centre piece for the table is also amongst nat4rn Ittrialclsoof
the collection, constructed in the form of a loon- reopergret
of' tz,..f.!?...t.L1 It_t.t..__‘4‘ the
e suss
taro throwing jets of perfumed water. At the four amereauppg„tieee institution were wwe'rer`n unattended to.