The Sun.
London, England, 1837-07-12 00:00:00

COLOSSEUM, REGENT'S PARK.

The Colosseum, Regent's Park, continues to hold out a pre-
eminence in attraction to the exhibition-loving portion of the
community. That stupendous work of art the Panorama of
London, is an object which it would be difficult to equal in
beauty or in grandeur. It occupies a surface of 46,000 square
feet, and presents a complete pictorial history of the metropolis
and its suburbs. The myriads of edifices, public and private,
which London Contains, are here grouped together in no less
distinct than magnificent representation. The next view in the
order of exhibition, as well as of merit, is the Saloon of Arts.
Specimens of and casts from sculpture by the most eminent
artists are collected in the 'saloon, together with many other
objects of curious and interesting research. The Optical Gal-
lery is also 'deserving of commendation, and affords a striking
display of the triumphs of science, in particular the extraordi-
nary results produced through the medium of the microscope ;
and also some of those instruments of magical illusion which
have been employed with so much effect in the service of super-
stition in the dark ages. The Conservatories at this season
are particularly beautiful, and filled with a rare and expensive
collection of foreign and tropical plaits, which arc cal,mlated
to delight not merely the botanist and florist, but every class of
visitors. They extend 300 feet, and arc divided into six com-
partments, each having different temperatures, and producing
different descriptions of plants. The stove-plants are at this
time in a fine healthy state. A splendid marine grotto, or
cavern, is also exhibited, apparently formed in the bowels of
the earth, with walls and flooring of rocks, and roof covered
with stalactites. There is in like manner a bpecitnen of Ameri-
can scenery, with a picturesque waterfall. We had nearly for-
gotten the firework gallery, the extraordinary appearance of
which, description can hardly do justice to. Altogether the
Colosseum is one of the most attractive places of exhibition
and amusement of which we know.

SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.

These gardens were on Monday evening filled with a most
respectable and fashionable company ' • at one period there
could not have been less than- eight thousand persons pre
sent. The inspection of the beasts and other curiosities oc-
cupied the attention of the crowds of visitors until Mr. Green
and the balloon made their appearanc.-. The day was pecu •
liarly fine, and every person in the gardens had a complete
view of the aeronaut, and the majnificcnt balloon which wa'
to waft him through the air ; and although these exhibitions
have now become frequent, the public enthusiasm and admi-
ration do not appear to be at all abated. When Mr. Green
and another gentleman ascended the car, they were hailed
with a hearty cheer, and the company testified their sa:israc-
tion and delight as the ropes were cast off, and the aerial
vessel ascended into the atmosphere. The great attraction
of the evening, however, was the eruption of Mount Vow:al.
Bordering the large sheet of water which is situated in the
centre of the gardens, there was constructed, with admirable
skill and effect, a model of Mount Vesuvius end the a ljacent
hills, with a representation of the town of Naples, which re-
flected great credit upon the taste and talent of the artist.
As soon as the dusk of evening set in the smoke from the
crater indicated in mimic representation, the approach 4.1 the
eruption. At intervals, volumes of ashes were thrown forth,
a livid flame followed, the lava flowed down the ridge of the
mountain, setting fire to everything which opposed its pro-
gress to the sea, and the whole bay and buildings reflected
with admirable effet the stupendous phenomenon of the burn-

ing Mountain ; in fact, all the phases which we either read of
or have seen of this wonderful curiosity, were represented
with a scenic effect which to be appreciated must be seen.
We think, however, that the burst of fire-works, as rockets
and blue-lights, Which were sent forth from the crater were
out of place, althenkh we admit that the majority of the spec.
tators were not so erktical as to blame this display of pyrotech.
nical skill. The intervals which elapsed between the ascent
of the balloon and the eruption, was a dreary hiatus in the-en-
tertainment of the evening, and we would suggest to the ma.
nagers the propriety of devising some means of filling up the
vacuum with some novelty which would relieve the tedium of
a delay of at least two hours. It is true that no inconveni-
ence arose last night, the company being exceedingly orderly
and patient ; this, however, may not always be the case, and
it would be well for them to consider that " prevention is the
best cure."

Sir Ger,rge Gipps, Sir Charles Forbes,.M.r. Morris,
and Mr. Barclay, had interviews with Lord Glenclglesterday
at the Colonill•office.

The lion. Mrs. Portman gave an elegant dinner
yes'erday to the Earl and Countess of Darlington, Lady A.
Poulett, the Earl and Countess Poulett, Lord Forester, Lord
Hotham, Mr. T. Duncombe, M. P., &c.
The accounts from all the departments of France
continued to speak in glowing terms of the prospects from the
forthcoming harvest and vintage.
IMPROVED MAIL COMMUNICATION WITH
SPAIN, PORTUGAL, AND THE MEDITERRANEAN.--Wc under-
stand that Government has contracted with the Peninsular
Steam Company for a weekly conveyance of the above mails
to Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gibraltar—the corres-
pondence for Madrid and the central parts of Spain to be sent
to Vigo instead of going through France as heretofore. The
Lisbon Mail will now be forwarded by steam instead of sailing
packets, the irregularity of which Las been matter of such
great and just complaint for some time past among the mer-
chants connected with Portugal ; and instead of a mail to the
south of Spain and Gibraltar only once a month, as is now the
case, there will be one every week. Connected with this im-
provement we believe Government intend to establish a more
frequent communication through the Mediterranean to Malta,
Greece, and Egypt. To those who have felt the inconve-
nience of the present very inefficient conveyance for these
mails, the important advantages of this improvement must be
obvious. But it has another claim to the approbation of the
public; for while it cannot fail to increase the trade with those
countries, as well as to add considerably to the Post Office re-
venue, it will, we underst.and, be carried into effect at less
than half the cost of the very defective establishment which it
supersedes, and will so far surpass. Credit we think is due
to the Government for so promptly availing itself of the means
afforded for effecting an object of so much public importance.
The break4ing up of the present packet establishment, which is
to take place forthwith, must of course be attended with some
loss of patronage, a matter on which all governments are sup.
posed to be somewhat tenacious, but such a consideration has
not, it appears, been suffered to stand in the way on this oc-
casion. .

—Acorrespondent informs us that Sir Winfred Law-
son, the brother-in-law of Sir James Graham, has written to
that Right Hon. Baronet to say that he cannot support him
at the approaching election for East Cumberland. The
same report has reached us from other quarters. Surely
S'r James shnul4 take the hint, and, by retiring at once,
save the county from the turmoil of a contested election.—
Morning Paper.

NORTH RIDING OF YORKSIIIRE.-(From a Correspondent.)
—A meeting of the Thirsk Reform Association was held at
the Three Tuns, on Monday last, and was most respectably
attended. A guarantee fund was formed for the purpose of
s2curing Mr. Caylcy's return to Parliament as the represen-
tative of the North Riding. 5001. was immediately subscribed.
There is not much probability of a contest, but if the Tories
slio.;ld have the temerity to bring forward another Conservative
in addition to Mr. W. Duncombe, the Liberals Are prepared
to meet them and to give them a good threshing.'
OXFORDSHIRE. —More than three-fourths of the electors of
Witney, whom the Liberal candidate, Mr. Stonor, canvassed
on Monday, have pledged themselves to support him. Mr.
Stouor's reply to the calumnious charges which Mr. Ashurst
brought forward has annihilated that gentleman's epistolary
fame, and for ever extinguished the fanatic catch-word of the
Tories.

COCKERMOUTII.-Mr. Horsman again offers himself on the
Reform interest.

DEVON ( SOUTH.)—Mr. Belted, the son-in-law of Earl
Grey, and a sound \Vhig, arrived in Exeter on Friday morning
from town, and declared himself a candidate for the represen-
tation of South Devon. The announcement was sudden, but
most opportune. Sir John Buller, dreading Mr. Bulteel's
popularity, has left Mr. Parker to shift for himself. Mr-
Bulteel's progress through the south has been most triumohant.
He visits Plymouth to-day, in which neighbourhood be has
considerable property.
DEVON (Norrier.)-- Lord Ebrington will arrive in this
neighbourhood in the course of a day or two. Mr. Fellowes
has not yet issued his address ; but the report that he has re-
tired from the contest has been officially contradicted.
Ht'LL.—Failing Mr. Hall, the name of Mr. Morison, at
present Member for Ipswich, has been mentioned. After a
long and arduous search the Tories have succeeded in finding
two candidates for defeat by the Reformers ; their names are
given out to be (for the gentlemen have not vet shown them-
selves) Sir Walter James and Mr. Wilberforce. We hear
that the Tories hope, by the use of Mr. Wilberforce's name,
and Sir Walter's long purse, to drag the former through the
ordeal of the hustings—a high compliment this to the Ba-
rJnet for whom it is clear they have little hope and no sym
pathy. The course of the Reformers is clear—to unite upon
a man as the colleague of Mr. llutt, respecting whose princi-
ples and character there can be no mistake, and, having done
so, triumphantly to carry their election. We repeat that they
have the power to do so ; if they were strong enough at the
last election to defeat the Tory, who came as a commercial
man—to which character the present Tory candidates cannot
lay the least claim—their strength is increased since then, and,
if used unitedly and firmly, it must lead to the triumph of the
good cause. —Hall Observer.
EXETEK.—An understanding exists between Mr. Divctt's
friends and On agents of Sir W. Follett that the Tories aro
nut to bring forward a second man ; but to-day there is a ge-
neral talk of a requisition having been addressed to Mr. Sa-
muel Kingdon, by the Tories, to stand as an independent Con-
servative, and that he has taken till Wednesday to deliberate
(ei the subject. The Reformers aro not alarmed by the event,
and have determined to put Mr..l. D. Osborn up in opposition to
Mr. Kiugdon, in the event of his deciding in the affirmr.tire
on Wednesday. Many Reformers feel' desirous of having a
second-candidate, notwithstanding the " understanding ;" and
some conversation has arisen respecting a requisition to Ser-
geant Wilde, who is a very great favourite here; but nothing
will induce the Reformers to hazard the safety of Mr. Dirett.
Thu TorieA arc evir1....21,:_ay.;..1.0,‘.. W.

Kr\T (WEsT) —Sir E. Filmer has been induced to enter

the lists against Mr. Hodtzes. We hope his attempt will be
futile ; but the fears of the most judicious Reformers prevail
over their hopes.—Kentish Chronicle.
MsinsTose.—Mr. D'lsraeli, the rejected of many places,
has come down to try his luck at Maidstone on the Tory inte-
rest, against Mr. Roberts, the old and highly respected Libe-
ral Member, which has roused the activity of the Reformers to
a degree never exceeded.—lbid.
IZocuErren will be severely contested, so ftr as the second
spat is concerned, Mr. Bernal being deemed secure. Captain
Best was hardly the man to be pitted against Mr. Hobhousc,
whose consistency as a Reformer is well known ; Lora Wyn-
ford's connection with those Orange lodges, by which disaffec-
tion was attempted to be sown in the army, will not, as lie stands
on the Tory interest, serve him much. " Like father like
son, ' may here be well applied.—lbid.
CIIATIIAM.—The lion. G. Byng is secure for Chatham ;
and he will be a valuable Member for that borough.

STROUD.—An anonymous Correspondent writes, " A Tory
candidate is expected to come forward, in opposition to Lord
John Russell."
HUDDERSFIELD.—Mr. Stansfield has been introduced as a
candidate by Mr. Brooke.

,F.omtNsTEn.—Mr. Bish has withdrawn from the contest for

this t iwn

II ERTFORD. —Mr. Cowper has made a successful canvass of
this borough. Lord Mahon's has been by no means so satisfac-
tory as his friends seem anxious to persuade us.
ASTI NGE. —Mr. Holland's friends arc sanguine of that
gentlemen's success.
BRIGHTON. —Mr. Wigney, according to the Gtearditar,
having offended Mr. Faithful, is threatened with expulsion.
LEWES. —lt has been said that Sir Charles Blunt's return is
certain, and that there is every reasonable probability that Mr.
Brown will be his colleague.
CA MBRIDGE. —Mr. Rice is here. His return, with that of
Mr. Pryme for a colleague, is certain. Thu Cambridge In-
dependent Press says, that "let the election come when it
may, the majority in favour of the Liberal candidates will be
a triumphant one."
BOSTON.—A severe contest is going on, and how it will end
cannot at present be predicted. One thing is certain, the
Reformers there, although they disagree among themselves,
will never suffer two Tories to be returned. The wonder is,
that one should be tolerated. It is expected that the contest
will be between Messrs. Brownrigg, flandlcj-, and Duke ;
Mr. Collett having little chance of succeeding in anything,
but the distribution of a little liaose cash.—Lincoln Gazette.
LINCOLN.—We are happy to say that the canvass in the
Liberal interest in this city still goes on successfully. It is
understood that Colonel Sibthorp has issued directions to his
supporters to split their votes with Mr. Ellis, but it is also
said that several have refused to do so ; alleging that they
vote for Colonel Sibthorp as a neighbour, and that they have
no notion of selling themselves to a man of magpie principles,
who one day is the warm friend of Mr. littlr. er, and another
his uncourteous and bitter opponent. We have reason to
know that Colonel Sibthorp does not consider himself alto-
gether safe ; and that he at first had some reluctince in split •
ting his votes.—Aid.
The election contest that is now pending in Lincoln, has
again assumed a character that must not only prove painful
to every honourable mind, but injurious to the common weal
of the city. The link that united all patties in social inter-
course is ruthlessly attemi.ted to be broken asunder. The
few who arrogate to themselves the aristocracy of the town,
and those who rank them selves in opposition to the people
for the sake of lucre and petty patronage, have hurled the
gauntlet of insult and defiance at the highly respectable and
intelligent class who compose the merchants and trading com-
munity.—lbid.