The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-18 00:00:00

POLYGRAPHIC HALL.

The incomparable Mr. Woodin is, and it is not to
be wondered at, attracting nightly immense au-
diences to his Cabinet of Curiosities, in King
William-street, in the Strand. It is highly amus-
ing to witness the amazement produced on our
country visitors by the various characters Mr.
Woodin delineates. For quick interchange we
have witnessed nothing comparable to the simulta-
neous embodiments of Mr. Ruffles, Mr. Shrink,
and the Waiter, in the scene of the dining-room.
This feat of Mr. Woodin must be seen to be under-
stood. Of the 60 different characters personated
during the entertainment nearly all might be se-
lected as demonstrating the curious and rare mime-
tic talents of the artist. But this is not necessary.
We would, however, invite particular attention
to the remarkable imitation of Mr. Sothern as
Lord Dundreary reading Brother Sam's letter.
The make-up and assumption of the voice are really
astonis;_ing, and no part of the performance elicits
more unbounded applanse.
The several new vocal pieces introduced are
characteristic and highly amusing, among which
may be cited as especially noteworthy Lady
Foresight's prophetic song—and Mr. Woodin
sings them with great tact. The dioramic
illustrations, too, by Mr. William Calcott,
are beautiful and real, the last scene of all, indeed,
being a chef d'ceuvre of drawing and pictorial illus-
tration. Altogether the Cabinet of Curiosities is
one of the most genuine and inimitable entertain-
ment of the kind ever presented to the public ;
and he who leaves London without paying a visit
to the Polygraphic Hall, King William street, will
have lost two hours of as "sweet mirth" as were
ever enjoyed in a place of amusement.

THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE VOLUNTEERS.
—The first meeting of the Norfolk Volunteer Service Asso-
ciation will be held next month. The proceedings will ex-
tend over five days, the whole closing with an entertainment
which the High Sheriff of the county (Mr. R. J. H. Har-
vey) proposes to give to the volunteers. The troops as-
sembled are expected to be under the command of Major
General Wilson, upon whose operations before Delhi the
attention of the world was centred some five years since.
The High Sheriff has already issued 2,003 invitations, and
as the Prince of Wales will be on a visit to his shooting
estate in Norfolk at the same time, an effort will be made
to induce his Royal Highness to honour the fete with his
presence.

THE NEW JURY ACT.—On the 10th inst., the
new Jury Act came into operation, and in September the
lists will be exhibited on the church doors, and all persons
60 years of age and upwards can claim exemption at a petty
sessions held at the last week of the month. By the now
act chemists, managing clerks to attorneys and proctors,
and all officers connected with gaols and houses of correc-
tion, are exempted from serving on juries. The jury books
will be delivered as usual to the sheriffs at the end of the
year. Any person liable to be served may be summoned
by post, but it is not compulsory, and they may still be
served by having notice left at the house. The law is not
altered as to the making out of the jury lists, or the sum-
moning of jurors in the City of London, and in the county
of Middlesex, it is understood that the mode of procedure
adopted under the Jury Act 6 GeorgelV.,will be continued.
The privilege of summoning jurors in the country may be
adopted with advantage to the public.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—Yesterday was the second
Sunday set apart by the directors of the palace for the admis-
sion of the free tickets issued by them to the shareholders
and friends of the Crystal Palace Share Clubs, when, not-
withstanding the unpropitious state of the weather, about
3,000 persons availed themselves of the privilege. Although
prevented by the unceasing rain from enjoying the beauties
of the grounds, they found compensation in the delightful
promenade within the building, in visiting the picture
gallery and in listening to the solemn strains of sacred
music pealed forth by the large organ during the afternoon.
As on the previous occasion the behaviour of the visitors,
who consisted chiefly of the better order of artisans and
their families, was characterised by the greatest propriety
and decorum, all apparently being desirous to show their
appreciation of the liberality of the directors, and to avoid
committing any act at all likely to prevent a renewal of the
privilege on future occasions. About 8,000 tickets had
been issued, but the unfavourable state of the weather
materially interfered with the number of visitors.

LIVERPOOL, AUGUST 15. Yesterday a meeting
was held at the rooms of the Royal Mersey Yacht Club, in
Tower-buildings, to promote the formation of a local branch
at Liverpool of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Mr. G. Wilkinson Tetley occupied the chair, Mr. H. W.
Eddis, the honorary secretary, read a letter received from
the committee of the institution, expressing their earnest
hope that Liverpool would soon be enabled to form a nu-
merous and influential local committee to manage that im-
portant branch of the institution. The letter continued—
,' It has now 122 lifeboats under its management, of which
40 are stationed on the shores of the Irish Channel, afford-
ing great protection to the shipping going to and from
Liverpool. To keep each lifeboat in a state of efficiency
requires from £4O to .£5O a-year. Within the last five or
six years this institution has granted £5,764, 16s. for saving
2,644 lives from shipwre3k, by lifeboats and other means.
Altogether 12,272 lives have been saved by the same means
since its formation, and it has expended, up to the present
time, nearly £60,000 on lifeboat establishments. The com-
mittee feel assured that, on your kindly bringing
these im-
portant facts before the merchants and shipowners of Liver-
pool, they will not be backward in lending a helping-hand
to an institution which has rendered such signal service to
to the project.i Some
cause of humanity, and thus assist it to pursue its career of
usefulness with unabated vigour." Letters we re read from
a number of influential gentlemen offering their services on
the committee, and to give support
of the most influential residents n Liverpool were after-
wards elected members of the local committee. There can
be no doubt that this will be one of the most important
branches of the institution. In the Course of a conversation i
it was mentioned that the inspector of lifeboats to the in-
stitution bad strongly recommended the erection of a sta-
tion at the entrance of the Mersey, and that the committee
of the institution, if a local branch were formed at Liver-
pool, were prepared to carry out the recommendation. The
=calls then adjourned,