The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-26 00:00:00

SPAIN.

The Madrid journals of the 21st contain accounts
of the proceedings of the Royal family at Seville.
On the previous day a grand reception took place
at the Royal Palace, and in the afternoon their
Majesties were present at a bull fight, in the even-
ing driving through the city, which was brilliantly
illuminated. The English Ambassador, Sir John
Crampton, who had been staying at Granja, has
returned to Madrid. He was expected to leave in
the evening to join the Royal family at Seville.

The more we examine the various objects of art
which constitute the Loan Collection at South Ken'
sington, the deeper is our regret that it is so eon°
to be again dispersed. That thei contents of the
International Exhibition should be scattered causes i
us no concern. We do not fee), the same interest n
the works exposed there. They are contributed
mainly with an eye to business ; ugliness and beauty,
utility and vanity, economy and extravagance—all
are mingled together, and chieflyas investments. No
such motives could, have actuated the noble owners of
the "Loan" objects. The very fact of possessing
them proves a love of art, of its associations and
history ; the fact of lending them for exhibition
gratuitous exhibition on four days in the week--
testifies to the desire of their owners that the
public should share the pleasure which their con-
templation affords. The efforts of the owner°
have been ably seconded by the superintendent
of the art collections. The catalogues issued are
prefaced by admirable introductions to the study
of each subject, by Mr. Robinson, Mr. Franks'
and others. When necessary, smaller notes 0°
single or classed objects are inserted in the
Catalogue, so as to give the public an opportunity
of prizing, at its full worth, the boon which lA°
been thus liberally granted to it. With the counter
attractions of its gigantic neighbour, and the feW
holidays at their disposal, a large number of the
middle and working classes have, neverthless°
been unable to avail themselves of the privilege of
visiting the collection. We should be sorry le
presume upon the kindness of liberal men, but, 861
one generous deed betokens the willingness to (I°
another, we do throw out a hope that the authori-
ties at South Kensington will use their influence
with the proprietors that they may leave their
works yet a while longer on view—enlarging tilt°
the public circle of thanks, and at the same time
exte7:ading the influence which a collection so el-
elusively good and valuable, and formed with such praiseworthy motives, is capable of exercising °I/ all classes.—Building News.

NEW SUBSTITUTE FOR co7llolfs

The following relates to the proposed new sub-
stitute for cotton :
" Oxford Villa, Haverstock-hill, Sept. 24.
" Sir—Several inquiries have been made of me as to the
best place whence to get fresh supplies of the Zostera
marina.

I, It may save endless trouble and the public some de-
lay if I state that it abounds along the sea-coast, but that
in the river Orwell, at the entrance of the harbour, it is
growing largely; and I have received a letter from Poole,
in Dorset, from which the following is an extract :
" ' Will you allow me to draw your attention to the fact
that Poole harbour, extending to 9,975 acres,
though
con-
taining deep channels, is for the moat part very
and the tide when it falls leaves upwards of tllow :
8,000 acres of
mud covered with Zostet a marina.'
" I still have no doubt as to the
immediately available
quantity of the raw material, but
u theaars:
as thequestioanndis
cohnasno:
national importance, and accurate information as to the
quantity obtainable from the Unit®d Kingdom
nel Islands would be extremely
possible
ysibvial y I
approximate
geuat
supply t i 0 i: a e n
maendasotshpeeresdirlyesident by oro withab valuable, may
near the sea-coast to
and I will immediately pub-
number of acres now growing,lish the result ?
1 understand that experiments are being made upo°
the plant as supplied from upholsterers. If obtained frote-
these sources I need scarcely say that the results to be de'
sired will not be so satisfactory as if the green plant be
used; but if the object of using the dried plant be merely
to demonstrate the practicability and the inexpensiveness
of extracting the fibre, then it may answer the purpose
although I think the green plant is preferable.
~ For the information of those who have not yet Oa'
mined the plant, and to facilitate investigation, I may mai-
tion that the outer casing forms a sort of sheath to the fibre
within, and resembles the scabbard of a award, which may
be pulled off or put on again at pleasure.
" I am, sir, your obedient servant,
" HENRY HARDEN.

-
A NEW LIFEBOAT FOR DUBLIN BAY.—General
Sir George Bowles K.C.B. has just presented to the Na-
tional Lifeboat Institution £265, to enable it to station
new lifeboat and transporting carriage at llowth, sear
Dublin. The boat, which is 30 feet long, had her harbour
trial yesterday, in the Regent's Canal dock, Limehouseci
when the usual characteristics of the self-righting 411„.,,
self-ejecting of water of this class of lifeboats were
and satisfactorily shown, to the gratification of a nuniber
of persons who had assembled to witness the trial. The
lifeboat and her carriage leave for their station on Saturdays
on board of one of the steamers belonging to Messrs. gai
colmson, who, in conjunction with Mr. J. Robinson, 0
0,
Nark-lane, are ever ready to carry the boats, &c., free I
charge.