The Express.
London, England, 1859-01-26 00:00:00

GALLERY OP ILLUSTRATION.

The new Panorama now exhibiting by Mr. Brewer,
at the Royal Gallery of Illustration, will well repay a visit.
It oonsists of a selection of the most wonderful natural phe-
nomena to be found on the AUl2Tiettl continent. Bat few
parsons on this aide of the ocean can ever hope to ass the
Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, probably the mat marvellous,
as it is the most extensive, subterranean formation in the
world. This remarkable production of nature extends
over a, considerable area, and he.passages through
it, the length of which baa been computed at
six hundred miles. There is but one known en-
trance to the cave, whilst in the interior there are 226
known avenues—the longest of them being 16j miles. This
New-World Avernus was first discovered in 1802, sad it
has since then been explored in every direction with all the
seal of curiosity for which the Americans are so Lamm
The explorations have led to the discovery of grottoes, halls,
domes, and arches of great beauty and extent, end when
lit with torches and Bengal lights, the effect is described as
something magical—the immense pillars of stalactite glitter-
ing as if incrusted with diamonds. The panorama exhibits
no lees than 33 different views in this cave, which,
though they do not exhaust the subject, convey a very vivid
impression of its "gloomy grandeurs." "The gothic
Chapel," " The Star Chamber," " Echo River," "City of
Tombs," " The Chief City," and " Cleveland's Cabinet,"
are amongst the views which will aware most attention.
The artist is stated to have been 17 days in the cavern whilst
sketching the scenery. " The Falls of Niagara," " the
Prairies of Illinois," " the natural Bridge of Virginia," and
" Mount Vernon," ere the other objects illustrated, and
though very interesting and well executed, they do not strike
the beholder with the wonder of the first portion of the exhi-
bition. The " Prairie on fire" must however be excepted, for
few mina can impress with so much awe as one of those
wide-spread conBsgrations which is here exhibited with vi-
vidness and terrific effect. The tea of the panorama In
bringing ander the public eye these grand phenomena of
nature which can never be adequately represented by descrip-
tion, are extremely valuable, and exhibitions of the kind
ought to be encouraged much less for the entertainment than
the instruction they afford. Specimens of the rocks, and of
the white eyeless fish obtained from the waters of the Mam-
moth cave, are exhibited at the Gallery, and will repay
inspection.

DEATH or MR. BASIL BAKER, THE ACTOR.—
Yesterday morning Mr. Basil Baker, one of the last remain-
ing actors of the old school, died somewhat suddenly at his
tandem). in Grove•street, Liverpool, at the age of U. Mr.
Raker was for many years connected with the Liverpool
theatres, though he was also a deserved favourite with the
theatrical public of Dublin and Mencheater. He was also
for several years a most useful actor in the Lyceum Theatre
in London, ring_the tigime of Madame Vestris and Charles
Mathews. Mr. Baker, previous to has death, which was
caused by rheumatism of the heart, had only been absent
from his duty at the Theatre Royal about a week. Mr.
Baker, who was lyric* married, leaves a widow, three young
charm, a married daughter, and a son in the Customs at

WRECK OP THE HAMBURG BARK Dlalia.—The
Diana, from Hamburg for Cardiff, in ballast, drove on shore
in Smckeleon Bey, near Cotkbuah station, during the violent
gale of Sudsy. The Diana sailed from HarnUrg on the
27th of December, and proceeded on her voyage as far as the
Lizard, when she war compelled by heavy head gales to bear
up for some port of refuge. On the 22nd of January alas
made St. Katherine's light, where they laid the ship to until
daybreak to endeavour to get • pilot on board; but seeing
no pilot-boat, she stood off the land, and aterwards again
stood in for the land, and on sighting the mutt tacked to
sea; but found she would not weather some broken water
ahead, which proved to be the Pole Sande, off Chichester
harbour. She then let go both anchors, but soon afterwards
the starboard chain parted. The ship still drove Mimed. the
beach, and the fore and main masts were cut away ; and she
stranded et 1 p.m. amid • tremendous surf. Measures
were immediately taken by Commander Wollaston, R.N.,
with the comignerd under his command, to assist
the crew in 'anthem as speedily as possible. They
were landed by their boats, which were stove in
and otherwise damaged own
the process of beaching; the
lowering of the last boat which left the ship, containtog the
chief mate and three of the crow, was nearly attended with a
serious toes of life. The foremost tackle by some means
became fouled, keeping the boat's bow suspended, with her
stern in the water. The violent jerking and straining on the
boat's bow tore out the stem, sod precipitated the crew into
the raging waters alongride. Two of the comtguard mete,
under the personal directions of Lieutenant Wollaston, R.N.,
with ropes made fast round them, the ends being held by
those no shore, risked into the sea, and, at the peril of their
own lives, Deiced hold of the men and with the arsistance
of
those with the hauling lines succeededi in bringing the whole
of them safely on share. Chevalier V andru Bergh, the
Hamburg Consul at Portsmouth, was promptly on the spot,
and after visiting the scene of the wreck, and peeing the mow
safely landed from their int-dons poeition, lodged them at
East Witteriog. The ship lies about 300 yards below label
water mark, her heed➢off seaward, her fore and mainmste
and rudder gone, sternpost touted, and apparently part of
her keel carried sway, and bilged on both aides.
Itrcovrar or 8201.—We noticed in the Bulletin
of last week the fact of a gentleman from PorteOlassow
having, while in a house of ill-fame in High-street, bees
robbed of 9281. ; and that in connexion with the robbery
several parties of questionable character were in custody.
The detectives aims then have been engaged is &dive Inves-
tigation into the circumstances of the robbery, and these
efforts have not been unrewarded. By the exercise of a little
professional diplomacy it was discovered that part of the
money was hidden, and on Saturday night last, ?CU!, in
compeny with Sub-Inspector Smith, found of the 9281., 8201.
in • pickle bolds at the root of a hedge by the river side,
near Dslinsrnock. The discovery does no little ore& to the
professioual shrewdness of the officers, and the
e displayed—which, by the wa, we do not 1=1:::
ever been surpassed, and but rarely equalled by the famed
London pollee—deserves some tangible acknowledgment.—
Glasgow Bulletin.