The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-17 00:00:00

ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

On Thursday a conversazione took place at this insti-
tution to celebrate the, commencement of a new career
of management, with Mr. J. H. Pepper at the head, as
resident director. During the last few days the interior
of the building has been entirely renovated, and various
alterations have been effected which give increased
novelty and interest to the exhibition. Many of those
objects which
_have stood prominently forward for some
years past have given 'place-to modern inventions and
scientific improvements, and the result is that visitors
are at once impressed with the idea that the institu-
tion has been reopened under circumstances of a
most auspicious character. The decorations, no less
than the objects exhibited, present various features
of novelty, and, the general appearance of the gal-
lery indicates a determination on the part of -Mr.
Pepper to adapt his resources to the taste and
requirements of the age. The ceremonial of last even-
ing included a selection of entertainments which are
peculiar to this establishment, and amongst them were
an exhibition by M. Duboscq of some new experiments
in optics with the electric light ; a representation by the
same gentleman of a novel illuminated fountain display-
ing a variety of colours ; and a new optical exhibition
of dissolving views illustrasing -the late J. M. W.
Turner's "Scenes on the River Loire,".with descrip-
tion by Mr. George Hodder. In reference to the expe-
riments presented by Monsieur Duboscq it would be
superfluous to enter into a detail of particulars, as the
scientific world could not but take exception to a news-
paper description of an exhibition which appeals espe-
cially to the taste and judgment of the learned, whilst
those who are unacquainted with such matters, or pos-
sess only a superficial knowledge -of them, would not
appreciate that which • only gives amusement where it
pleases the eye. Suffice it that M. Duboscq testified in
the most satisfactory and agreeable manner that he has
made certain discoveries in optics which, whilst they
gratify the inspector, prove to demonstration that he
is worthy of the position he holds as a man eminent
in the scientific world of Paris. The series of dis-
solving views, exhibited for the first time on this occasion,
form a portion (as the description announces) of the col-
lection of drawings published under the title of the
" Rivers of. France," and executed by the late J. M.W.
Turner, R.A., some years ago, when, in company with
Mr. Leitch Ritchie, he travelled through the country in
search of the picturesque and the beautiful. The various
scenes, as exhibited on the disk, form admirable illustra-
tions of Turner's style ef art in those days when he avoid-
ed that tendency to the fantastic which distinguished his
later wotks, and may fairly be classed amongst the most
successful productions the public have yet seen of this
kind of dioramic exhibition. The gallery was orna-
mented with magnificaent specimens of gold and silver
plate from the respective establishments of Messrs.
Hunt and Roskell and Messrs. Elkington ; a collec-
tion of designs in porcelain and terracotta, from the
manufactory of Messrs. Copeland & Co.; a new electrical
apparatus, and a large electro-magnetic apparatus illus-
trating the application of electricity as a motive power,
by Mr. Allan, and Messrs. Watkins & Hill ; Bachoffner
and Defries's gas fire electric telegraphs from the Electric
Telegraph Company; and various other effective illustra-
tions of the progress of art and science in this country.
There were, moreover, numerous specimens of photo-
graphy dy the best artists in the school, including Mr.
Mayan and Mr. Williams ; the former displaying por-
traits of men distinguished in literature or science, and
the latter a selection of various departments in the
Crystal Palace at Sydenham. These portraits and
scenes, viewed through the medium of the stereoscope,
were amongst the most interesting features of the even-
ing's amusements, which were agreeably enlivened by
the performance of a select orchestra, under the direc-
tion of Mr. Wand, whilst the gallery was tastefully de-
corated with flowers and evergreens, which gave to the
institution an aspect of light and cheerfulness which it
has not heretofore assumed. The proceedings of the
evening were opened with an inaugural address by Mr.
John Walter, M.P.,, who stated that as the object of
this institution was the cultivation of experimental phi-
losophy, he could assure his hearers that he would not
stand very long between them and their natural desire
to witness the interesting experiments they were now
called upon to witness: It was his duty, however,
to offer a few remarks upon the history and pro-
gress of the institution ; but before doing so he was
bound in vindication of himself to explain to them why
he occupied the position he was placed in, and what
reason he had for intruding himself upon them for one
moment. There were some who might naturally sup-
pose that he was a new candidate for scientific honours,
and that he was about to offer them a discourse on his-
tory or science, such as a Brougham or a Herschel
might give them ; but be was sorry that those who en-
tertained such an idea would find themselves deceived.
He need only inform the company that a friend of his
and of Mr. Pepper called upon him, and stated they
had an urgent request to make of him, and upon his
asking the nature of the request, he was informed
that the directors of the institution were anxious to
make it a school for all classes of the community,
and particularly the working classes, and with this
view they had placed the establishment under new
management. The result was the present inaugural
meeting, and although he was extremely reluctant to pre-
sume to address so large an assembly under such circum-
stances, he was extremely happy to have this opportu-
nity of testifying to the merit of the institution. He
believed it was hardly necessary for him to trouble them
with any statement—although he had been requested
to do so—as to the origin of this institution ; but he
might inform them that he well recollected that some 20
years ago lie was delighted and edified with the experi-
ments he saw, especially with the steam gun, which he
then witnessed at the Adelaide Gallery. This gallery
led to the formation of this larger and more extended
establishment, which was not only a museum of natural
science, but a school for useful and entertaining know-
ledge to a great mass of the people, who were unable to
obtain it through any other channel. It appeared that
a gentleman named Payne, having a desire to establish
the present institution, obtained the assistance of seve-
ral patriotic gentlemen, who found the necessary capital,
and the Polytechnic was thus set on foot. He need not
say that it was extremely popular at the very outset, and
be was glad to confess that he drew some of his earliest
ideas of science from the information he hat gained
at this place. As time went on, new opportunities of
making use of the institution arose. The managers deter-
mined to extend their operations and make magnificent
theatres, and to carry on experiments on a scale which
should contribute to the amusement and edification of
the public. The effect had been as desired, and the ob-
jects of the institution might now be classified under five
heads—the formation of a museum or repository of new
inventions and improvements—the elucidation of vari-
ous discoveries which were made from time to time
in the higher departments of science, both practical
and experimental—to exhibit not only models of any
improvements, but to render 'science more attractive
to the popular mind than it had hitherto been —to make
experiments and to deliver lectures upon subjects with
which the public were or desired to be familiar—and
to afford an opportunity for detecting and exposing po-
pular fallacies, such as table-turning, which he had sug-
gested to Mr. Pepper the propriety of calling attention
to as one of the most gross and monstrous deceptions
which was ever introduced to the public. As he re-
garded the results to be hoped for under the new manage-
ment, he need only say that he thought it was highly
commendable on the part of the managing director to
open the institution, if only once a week, for the pur-
pose of affording the labouring classes an opportunity of
obtaining education upon scientific subjects. There
could be no doubt that the institution possessed immense
means of conveying information on the elementary
branches of science, and he had great pleasure in wish-
ing Mr. Pepper all the success the establishment de-
served for the great benefits it was calculated to confer
on the community. (Cheers,)
Sir George Cayley proposed, and Dr. Spurgin se-
conded, a vote of thanks to Mr. Walter for his kind-
ness in presiding on the occasion, and for the graceful
manner in which he had discharged the duty he had
undertaken.

The company then procelded to witness the various
objects of amusement and attraction which have been
named.

INK SPOTS ON WOOD.—I use spirits of salt (muriatie
acid). To revive the colour, if drawn out, apply raw
linseed oil, with alkanet root steeped it it.—The Builder.