The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-05-26 00:00:00

DIORAMA OF INDIA.

Some time ago, we noticed the extensive and beautiful.
Diorama of what is called the Overland Route, from South-
ampton to India, which was exhibited and explained in a
lucid manner by Mr. Cassidy, the eminent Indian lecturer.
We thought at the time that there was something neces-
sary to begin, where that fine picture ended at Calcutta,
and we have got it now in a colossal diorlma of India,
commencing at Fort William in that city, and traversing
the rivers Hooghly, Bhagirathi, and the Ganges, and
ending at Gougoutri in the famous Himalaya mountains;
embracing over 2,000 miles of the most interesting country
in the world. If we look upon this exhibition as a mere
pictoral work of art, devoid of other attraction, it com-
mands attention. In that respect, the arstistcs have com-
bined to render the work, in its peculiar line,
all but matchless. Indeed. the names of
the painters would be a guarantee that anything they
took in hand to do, they would do well, and when we
mention P. Phillips, L. Haghe, Knell, &e., it is quite enough
on that point. The figures, animals, landscapes, rivers, &c.,
are set out with fidelity and ably executed. The
colouring is laid on naturally, and the unities are fairly
preserved all through. As regards the amplitude of this
monster piece of canvass, it will astonish when it is stated
that it contains no less than 30,000 square feet, said to be
about 5,000 square feet larger than any exhibition of the
sort ever before presented to the public. Interesting as the
above ingredients must be, they are only second when com-
pared with the information afforded of Indian life and re-
ligious ceremonies of the wonderful Hindoo raca ; the lariety
and character of the scenery, the light thrown on this
historical portion of the country, which is so distant from
our home, but which is so closely allied to us as one of the
most interesting and important of our world-wide colonies—
all this gives this great work of art a charm not easily
described. Whilst gazing in admiration at the wonders of
nature (for we almost forget it is art) here presented, one
loses the identity of home, and without the trouble of a
four months' voyage we are transported into the regions of
the Ganges, and feel all the emotions with which the
mystic river is associated. Then comes the highly
entertaining and instructive descriptive lecture by
Mr. G. W. Cassidy, which elucidates the whole in a
manner that cannot fail to gratify any one. In every
thing about this exhibition, there is something to admire.
and in a town like Liverpool, so intimately connected with
India, the diorama cannot fail to be thoroughly welcome.
The house was crowded to excess last night, and the
audience was enthusiastic. Indeed they could not be
otherwise.

FAILURE OF THE MAINE-LAW IN AIIERICA.--Mr. Joseph
Barker, who for so many years advocated temperance
and the Maine-Law, and who emigrated to America seven
years ago, and who is so well-known as a sincere friend to
all moral and social reform, has aidressed a letter to Air.
S. Watson, of the bank in Leeds, on the subject of the
Maine-Law. Mr. Barker, who may be judged to be a
complete authority on this subject, says in his communi-
cation, which is dated March 30, 1857 :—The Maine Law
is a failure in America, and nothing but moral suasion
will make a people sober, good, and happy, either here a
in any other country."- Manchester Examiner. LAM