The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-02 00:00:00

by a single
stroke of the printing press. The catalogue also
showed a number of instances of young people who
possessed remarkable precocity, and the work of
several young girls was very creditable to them.
Even the profession of arms was not forgotten in
that peaceful contest, for there was a rug stated to
be the work of a private soldier in her Majesty's
Grenadier Guards, which displayed the scenes and
objects he had seen in Canada. It was an instance
of the old fable where Hercules laid aside his weapons
of war and took up the distaff of Omphale. He felt
sure that when the soldier in question laid aside his
knitting needles and took to his bayonet, he would
prove to he a good man and brave guardsman.
(Laughter and cheers.)
.Near to the last object
mentioned were some interesting productions of
children in ragged schools. These children proved
that they made good use of the rags committed to
their care. (Laughter.) He would not take ad-
vantage of any little knowledge he might possess to
describe what they could see for themselves, but he
must say that the present exhibition was a remark-
able sign of the times, and a strong proof of the
moral and intellectual improvement of the people.
It was one of the good things that emanated from
workmen's clubs. The real work in this exhibition
had been done by hard-working men, although they
had been assisted by others. The character of the
amusement of the people was the best proof that
could he had of their condition, for people would
not pursue an amusement unless it was suited to
their_ condition. In the last century the common
amusements of the people were bull-baiting, dog-
fighting, and cock-fighting. (Cheers and laugh-
ter.) They had seen the end of most of these,
and he hoped soon to see the end of cock-
-e-chting. (Cheers.) Right-thinking men could not
find amusement in sports which uoa ai,oadine of
blood and cruelty to be practised. There was also
the amusement of the public-house. He did not
object to public-houses in a moderate way ; but
when the amusement sought in them was carried to
excess, it really became quite as cruel as those
amusements he had spoken of, for the victims were
the poor wife and children, who were deprived of
necessary food and clothing when the husband spent
in selfish indulgences that which should be devoted
to the wants of his partner and family. In the pre-
sent day people frequented the parks and gardens,
and showed how they could enjoy the simple beau-
ties of nature which were produced for their plea-
sure. They were now also advancing in a new
style of enjoyment, and he was happy to see that art
and art enjoyment were taking such root among the
people. For some years past there had been public
galleries and museums which had contributed greatly
to the enlightenment of the people. It was only
about five years since the South Kensington Mu-
seum had been opened. That establishment, he was
confident, had done much to improve the taste of
the people, and by it they were educated to a proper
knowledge of art and art, productions. He knew
that some people begrudged the Money that was
voted every year by Parliament for the support and
maintenance of this museum, but he was quite sure
that the money was well spent. After a few further
observations respecting the manifold advantages
that must arise from such exhibitions as the pre-
sent, the right hon. gentleman proceeded to offer
the thanks of all the visitors present to those exhi-
bitors who by their great patience and industry had
produced so many works of art for general admira-
tion. He hoped that that day might be the com-
mencement of a mutual feeling of friendship among
many hitherto unacquainted with one another, and
concluded by declaring the exhibition to be opened.
(Cheers.)
Sir JOHN V. SHELLEY proposed a vote of thanks
to Mr. Cowper, which was seconded by:Mr. HARVEY
LEWIS, and when put to the meeting by Mr. J. A.
NIcuoLAY, was carried with acclamation.
Mr. COWPER having briefly acknowledged the
compliment,
Sir JA3tEs HAMILTON proposed a vote of thanks
to Mr. Nicholay and his fellow-members of the
committee, which was seconded by the Hon. F.
BYNG, and responded to byMr. MORRELL, the secre-
tary.

The proceedings afterwards concluded with a
performance of Handel's grand coronation anthem,
" Zadok the Priest," and by an inaugural march com-
posed for the occasion by Mr. C. F. Hargitt, the
conductor of the orchestra. It was deservedly
applauded.

The visitors then dispersed throughout the hall
to inspect at their leisure the countless objects of
interest displayed, and to test the capabilities of the
refreshment department, which js under the direc-
tion of Messrs. Spiers and Pond, who have under-
taken to supply the wants of all comers either with
copious draughts of Allsopp's sparkling ale, or with
any other kind of refreshment that may be required.

The hall will be illuminated at night, and will be
open for some weeks to come.
Mr. Adams was the organist, and the whole of
the musical arrangements were kindly undertaken
by the committee of the London Choral Union.

Streets of London.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE SUN.

Sru,—Finding that contracts have boon entered into for
the removal of the granite blocks with which Piccadilly
and other streets have been paved, and so much complained
of in consequence of their incessant noise, danger to horses,
&c., and the IPAdam system substituted, which is also ex-
posed to such dangers in consequence of the angular stones
getting into the frogs of horses' hoofs, whereby many have
been lamed for life ; the dust and mud inseparable from
that system are also evils desirable to have remedied.
These evils would in my humble opinion be provided
against by laying in the first place what are termed 3-inch
deal ends, in alternate rows between the 3-inch granite
blocks now in use, wood being a non-conductor of sound,
and not dangerous to horses when thus employed.
As regards the WAda.m, I would suggest that if the
small stones were
_formed into blocks by a bituminous
cement impervious to water, and thus laid as a ready-
made M'Adam, an improvement would be thus effected
far preferable to scattering the loose stones broadcast in
the slovenly manner now practised. In addition to those
advantages a considerable reduction of cost to hie rate-
payers in both cases would be thus occasioned.
I am apprehensive, however, that unless an uniform
system of management by which our streets will be placed
under a board of control, such as the Board of Works, no
satisfactory remedy can be provided for these evils, and as
this remedy can bo easily provided during the present
session, it is to be hoped that such an important subject as
mweilml
bmeersot, waiiitdh
as the
Ratites nptir:nboonof spvcazicoof,
the defective state of our streets, which comes home to
that it will be submitted for the consideration of your
readers.—I ani, Sir, your obedient servant,
oevurery
man's
metropolitan d or

Aram Coax.

THE LUMINOSITY OF PLANTS. is is found in
many phanerogams and cryptogams. In the latter
it is well known, from being found frequently in mines,
where the fungus mycelium is seen spreading its web-like
growth, and diffusing a tranquil light, sufficiently strong
to read by, as some have affirmed. The most beautiftil in-
stance of this is found in the mines in Hesse, where the
galleries for supplying air are illumined with • this soft
phosphoric light. No example of phosphorescence among.
sea-weed has been known, but the delicate little moss
Schistostega osmundacea isluminous. Among phanerogams,
or ordinary plants, are many examples of phosphorescence.
Several kinds of garden nasturtiums, sun-flowers, French
and African marigolds, yellow lilies, and poppies, have
been seen to emit either sparks or a steady light. By some
it is thought that it is produced when the pollen flies off
and is scattered over the petals, but it is invariably noticed
on warm and tranquil evenings, when there is electricity
in the atmosphere. It is observed that nearly all the
flowers proved to be phosphoric are of a yellow colour, but
the cause of this has not been ascertained. Tho leaves of
an American plant, CEnothera macrocapa, have been seen,
to emit
brilliant a severe storm of thunder and lightning,
brilliant flashes cf light, and this is, we boliev_
.tihreartoinnls,37.
plant as yet discovered with phospboric folisog •M.
°the Euphorbia
of Montpellier, has noticed that the juiceappears luminous in the
phosph,orea, when rubbed on paper,
dark, or when heated.
potato emitting a. brilliant light
But the most remarkable instance
is that of the common
idler
of
Strasburg thought the
Mr. Phipson states that a so
barracks one occasion on fire, from the light which
w
awas
foundwetoreon
proceed from a cellar full of potatoes. It is a
question whether they were in a state of decomposition,
and if so, it differs slightly from the luminosity of decaying
wood, which is usually caused by the presence of phos-
phoric fungi.—Chumbers's Journal.