The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-11 00:00:00

THE OXFORD INSTALLATION

FESTIVITIBS:

OXFORD, TUESDAY.
Epulatum est, poculatum est, as the holy clerk of Cop-
manhurst complacently remarks, and, looking at the
demonstrations of the Sheldonian Theatre on Tuesday
and Thursday, we may add with good reason, conclasna-
tarn est too. There are limits even to the capacity of
Oxford dons for rich cheer and joviality, and to the
powers of speechmaking possessed by Parliamentary
leaders. Things are settling down in Oxford to their
ordinary quiet and somewhat sombre aspect, the last of
the distinguished visitors leave with the Earl of Derby
to-day, and as many of the under-graduates have now
kept their term, and the festivities of the week have
been rather inimical to study, a considerable number of
the students also are leaving Oxford for the remaining por-
tion of Trinity term. Even the noble Chancellor him-
self must feel considerably relieved at being freed from
the obligation of discussing two or three dinners, and
making twice as many speeches in the course of the day.
The Pembroke dinner came off last night in the hall
of that college, where about eighty persons were enter-
tained, under the auspices of Dr. Jenner, the master.
Amongst the guests were the Bishops of Oxford and
Lincoln, the Marquis of Salisbury, the Earl of Hard-
wicke, the Earl of Eglinton, Lord Seaton, Lord Col-
chester, Lord Dynevor, the Marquis of Chandos, Lord
Stanley, M.P., Sir J. Pakington, M.P., Sir E. Cust,
Sir R. Murchison, Mr. Grote, Professor Aytoun, the
Provost of Eaton, the Dean of Winchester, and the
Mayor of Oxford.
Lord SEATON returned thanks for the army, and the
Earl of HARDWICKE for the navy.
The Master of PEMBROKE then gave the "Health of
their distinguished visitor the Earl of Derby."
The Earl of DERBY, in returning thanks, said he
should retain to the last moment of his life the most
vivid impression of the kind and flattering reception
which lie had experienced at all hands on the occasion
of his visit to Oxford, to assume the dignity to which
he had been called by the voice of the University,
Their respected president had given him credit for
powers of argument and speech which his kindness was
disposed to overrate, and had paid him the undeserved
compliment of saying that lie was able in the conflict of
Parliamentary warfare, and the strife of the most power.
ful intellects in the Legislature, to deal with public
questions without much previous thought upon the
subject. It should be recollected that the absence of
previous consideration of words was a very different
thing from the absence of previous thought. (Hear,
hear.) If there were a single point on which he might
venture to say there was any likeness between himself
and his illustrious predecessor, it was in the fact that
what he said was the result of an earnest conviction of
truth, and having maturely considered any subject, he
trusted to the power of nature, working as it might
work in any honest man, to give effective expression to
what he deeply felt. (Hear, hear.) Let no man believe
that much influence was to be gained in the conduct of
public affairs, or much weight in the public counsels, by
mere fluency of speech. (Cheers.) Of the men whom
he had known in public life, those who possessed the
greatest influence over their countrymen—and he would
not except his illustrious predecessor himself—were men
who merely possessed the power of placing their thoughts
and feelings with ordinary clearness before their hearers,
and of whom it was remarked, not that they sought to
clothe their sentiments in any artificial dross, but that
they opened their whole soul with plainness and
earnestness to those whom they were seeking to
convince. (Cheers.) Such was the eloquence em-
phatically possessed by the late Duke of Wellington ;
a man who would have raised the wonder of any stranger
hearing him for the first time, as to who the person was
who with such hesitating and stammering accents so-
licited the attention of his auditory. Yet such a person
would soon have found that there was something to be
listened to, and that there was nothing marvellous in
the fact that men should hang with rapt attention and
breathless silence on every word that fell from his lips,
perfectly assured that that word would be the right one,
and the best that could be found to express his meaning.
(Hear, hear.) Though in the highest attributes that
adorned his character it would be vain to attempt to
rival the Duke of Wellington, yet this he could say,
without, he hoped, any misplaced feeling of self-com-
placency, that he would endeavour to imitate sone of
those qualities which had secured him public venera-
tion—his unswerving principle, his determination to do
his duty, his fear of falling into anything vile or base.
(Loud cheers.) From the first moment at which it was
suggested to him, after the death of that illustrious man,
to consent to be put in nomination for an office to which
his highest ambition would not have prompted him to
aspire, and for which he had sedulously and anxiously
abstained from asking a single opinion in his favour, no-
thing had occurred in his intercourse with the authorities
and members of that University but what was caloulated
to give trim the highest gratification. He was elected
without any solicitation of his own through a prevalent
and almost unanimous feeling that by allowing his name
to be brought forward lie would prevent the possibility
of any dissension between opposite parties, and the
satisfaction he felt was enhanced by the belief that the
adoption of his name might tend to promote the peace,
above all the religious peace of that great university.
(Cheers.) He had been received yesterday by the mem-
bers of his own house in a manner that he would never
forget though he should live even to the age of that
time-honoured and venerable personage whose hand he
bad had the pleasure of grasping that day—the Presi-
dent of Magdalen. (Cheers.) Next to the satisfaction
of renewing old recollections and friendships he placed
that of forming new. For that reason he hailed with
the utmost gratification the opportunity of meeting, not
only those visitors who were honouring the university
with their presence, but the members of that college
of which, according to the statutes, the Chancellor was
appointed visitor. The word " visitor" bore very dif-
ferent significations ; but in one sense he was quite sure
that there was not a single man there who would not
feel that the situation of visitor of the College of Pem-
broke was a most enviable ono. (Cheers and laughter.)
But there were other duties devolving upon the visitor
in the academic sense of the word, and he apprehended
that the visitatorial functions consisted in watching
over the progress and fromtime to time carefully ex-
amining the condition of the society, in using his
influence to amend that which might be amiss, to point
out what deserved improvement, and to see that the
spirit of the statutes was properly carried out. (Hear.)
If he looked back to the period in which lie was an
under-graduate of the university, and compared the pre-
sent state of Pembroke College with that which he re-
collected in his day, he certainly thought there was no
ground to find fault, but, on the contrary, every reason
tution. Something
somewhat pharisaical pride with which the members of
to congratulatetheompseerliviaespsonmtighhetihn•eogartetrsishoeftetdheteintstie-
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• When he came to visit it that
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pany were met),
followed,
see preserving the old
(his lordship alludeerdeettoedtliiee
thatnew alrelhlitienetwurahilcltiasttheewhiehhe always wished to
foundations and the old form. (Cheers.) Their presi-
tdheenta,etandeemmiaesatlerci,uheastdiesep,okanend ofth etleixepperdeiseennety
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legreatest possible latitude consistent with the clearly-ex-
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intention and determination of the founder.
Where these intentions were clearly and definitely laid
down, then lie held that the power of the visitor was
i a
restricted, and that it was not competent for him to
depart from the directions of the founder. It was not
competent for him, even for the purpose of introducing

what be conceived to be an improvement to interfere
with the disposition of collegiate funds, or alter the ar-
rangements which he found existing. The primary
object was the security of appropriations left in trust
for any public object. He knew there were statutes
which the members of colleges were compelled to swear
to uphold, and not to permit to be altered, but which it
was impossible to carry into effect, because they were
contrary to the laws and principles of the present day.
These were cases in which it was earnestly to be desired
that Parliament might interpose its supreme power, to
give to those who were trustees of the colleges a per-
missive power to deviate from the strict letter of the
statutes, for the purpose of applying the funds to pur-
poses clearly within the spirit if not the letter of the
original endowment. (Hear, hear.) So far from being I
offended or irritated, they ought to seek and to court
the intervention of Parliament for giving them facilities
to free themselves from shackles in which it was im-
possible they could move or walk freely, and to relieve
themselves from obligations, compliance with which
they were obliged to evade. Depend upon it that in
these days that which would not bear the light must
be swept away ; but if they were ready to forego some
advantage for the purpose of adhering to established
principle—if in introducing reformation where re-
formation was needful, they did not prejudice great
objects, or infringe great sanctions—even those who
were desirous of going further would respect their con-
scientious scruples. (Hear.) Thus the universities
would be enabled to extend more and more widely the
sphere of their influence, and to prove their capability of
adapting themselves to the age in which we lived.
(Hear, hear.) Though he had regretted at first the issue
of the commission to inquire into the universities, he
was bound to express his belief that the issue of that
commission produced much good—that it had produced
a spirit of inquiry in the universities themselves—dis-
placed much existing prejudice, and substituted for it a
free spirit of improvement. Let the university proceed
steadily and firmly to adapt itself to the exigencies of
our advanced civilisation, never departing from its ori-
ginal landmark of attachment to the Church of England.
There might be some of latitudinarian views, the advo-
cates of merely secular knowledge, who would be of
opinion that it lagged behind the spirit of the age ; but
the great mass of the country would support them, and
give them strength in the approval of public opinion.
Thus acting, they would never forfeit that respect which
they had enjoyed since an epoch almost coeval with its
constitution, and which he trusted would long continue
their proud and well-deserved privilege. (Loud cheers.)

The company separated shortly aftor eleven o'clock.
The last installation ball took place in the Town-hall
last night, and was attended by 200 persons.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, JUNE 10.

The following mates, R.N., passed examinations quali-
fying for the rank of lieutenant at the Royal Naval College
yesterday : —Messrs. Edye, Grubbe, Natt, Phillips,
Beamish, Heneage, Bolton, and Davidson.
The following second-masters, R.N., also passed for the
rank of master :—Messrs. Drew, Parsons, and Ryan.
Tho Neptune, 120, Captain E. H. Scott, was brought
down from her moorings this morning, and placed in the
angle dock to have her bottom examined. She is all ataunt
with her sea-going gear.
The Hogue, GO, screw-ship, Captain Ramsay, hauled out
of dock last evening, and out of the sea-fitting basin to-day,
ready to return to Spithead.
The Simoorn, 18, screw troop-frigate, Captain Smith, left
this evening with the 34th Regiment for their destination
in the north.

The Geyser, 5, steam sloop, Commander Wilson, came
into harbour this morning to be repaired. Her officers and
ship's company are to be turned over to the advanced pad-
dle sloop Vesuvius, 6.

PLYMOUTH, JUNE 10.
Her Majesty's screw steam-ship St. Jean d'Acre, 101,
Captain the Hon. H. Keppell, pointed topmasts yesterday.
The frigate Sybille, 40, Captain Elliott, having been
masted, was to-day taken to the jetty to be rigged.
The steam sloopMagicienneP 16, Captain Thomas Fisher,
sailed on Tuesday afternoon for Queenstown.
The steam troop-ship Rhadamaithus, Master-Commander
Belam, arrived yesterday from Pembroke, and is appointed
to sail to-day for Woolwich.

Mr. Brown, Master-Attendant, and a party of riggers
and seamen, are ordered to Pembroke, to bring to Devon-
port the Rover brig, which will be launched on the 21st of
June. The Hamoaze lighter is also ordered to Pembroke
with masts and jury gear for the Rover.
On Monday last the Coast Guard instructing gunners on
board the Hotspur gunnery brig, under the command of
Captain W. H. Kennedy, were exercised in firing blank
cartridge, and on Tuesday they commenced exercise with
shot. The target, which was laid out at 900 yards, con-
sisted of the butt-end of a spar, three feet long, tapered off
at one end, with a line fast to it, having a pig of ballast
attached. In the other end a staff, five feet high, was
fixed, with a flag, one foot square, flying at its head. The
weather was favourable, and the practice remarkably
good; the flag was frequently struck, and the staff was
cut in two twice. Not one shot passed ten feet clear of
the target, which was made small to avoid the loss of time
that would have otherwise occurred from its frequent de-
struction. These Coast Guard men, 30 in number, return
to their respective districts, in England, Ireland, and
Wales, during the week, for the purpose of instructing
the whole of the force employed in the Coast Guard ser-
vice. They appear to be very orderly, and their proficiency
goes far to prove how valuable this branch of the navy
may be made for the defence of the country, afloat or
ashore, when properly instructed.

WOOLWICH JUNE 10.
APPOINTMENTS.

Lioutenant.—Thomas H. M. Martin (1848), at present
serving as additional in the Waterloo, 120, flag-ship, at
Sheerness, to the Terrible steam-frigate at Woolwich.
Master.--. Tames G. H. Thain (1845) to the Terrible.
Paymaster Benjamin P. Heather (1851) to the Vesuvius,
6, paddle-wheel steam sloop of 280-horse power, at Ports-
mouth.

Assistant-Surgeons.—David H. Wright, M.D. (1845),
to the Terrible • Patrick W. Dillon (1852), acting-assistant
surgeon to the Trincomalee, 24, on the Pacific station, is
confirmed as assistant-surgeon to that vessel.
Tho Archer screw steam-sloop, Cominander James N.
Strango, having had her defects made good at the factory
here, had her steam up to-day in the inner basin.

WRECK OF THE AURORA OF lIULL, AND
LOSS OF TIVRNTY-SIX LIVES.

This vessel foundered at sea on the 20th of May, in lati-
tude 46 N., longitudel.3B W. We are enabled, from a re-
port drawn up by the captain, to furnish the full particu-
lars of the loss of this ill-fated vessel. The Aurora, J.
Cherry, master, sailed from Hull on the 26th of April, for
New York, with a crew of 18 men and 24 passengers. On
the 17th of May, the ship having encountered strong ad-
verse winds, it was found that she was making more water
than usual ; not much notice was taken of this, except that
hands were kept constantly at the pumps. It was found
that the leak increased, though still there seemed no groat
cause of alarm. At half-past nine o'clock on the 19th,
however, the pumps not sucking, the mate wont
into the hold, and found the water over the
ground tier of casks. All bands were then called to the
pumps, and the ship was put before the wind, so that both
pumps could be kept going. At midnight the leak was
found to be increasing, the water having risen half way up
the second tier of casks. The passengers were then called,
aud, with the men, continued to work at the pumps inces-
santly until four in the morning of Friday, the 20th, when
the ship was evidently settling down in the water, and the
sea was making a complete breach over her. The stan-
chions and bulwarks were then cut away between the fore
and main rigging to lot the water run off tho decks
and to give facility for launching the boats. Food and
water were prepared to be placed in the boats, and then
a look-out was stationed to seellf any sail was in sight.
No ship was near, however, and as it was plain the
Aurora was sinking fast, some of the men began to
got out the boats. The skiff was hauled out of the long
boat, but as it was being lowered on to the deck, a sea
broke on board and dashed the boat into some spars, stav-
ing in her starboard bilge, and making her useless. The
stores were then got into the long boat, and a warp was
passed over the larboard bow of the ship, outside the foro-
rigging into the gangway to the boat, leaving sufficient
slack to allow her to go astern. Just as the boat was in a
position for launching, a sea struck it, and stove in two
planks of the larboard bilge. All hope seemed now at an
end, but the master cheered the crew and passengers as
much as he could, and by almost superhuman efforts they
succeeded in launching the boat. Six or eight of the crew
jumped into her with buckets, and began bailing her out.
Two blankets were thrust over the whole, and the carpen-
ter stood upon them to keep them in. The boat bad now
drifted to the weather quarter of the ship, and it was
now found that the weight of the warp kept the boat down,
and a new line was made fast to the ship, and the warp let
go. The master and some more of the crew then got into
the boat, and succeeded in nailing a plank over the leak,
which began to abate. It was then hauled towards the
ship with the view of taking the passengers aboard. The
master urged those on board to lower the quarter-
boat, which had previously boon cast adrift. Robert
Hesk and William Guest (seamen), and Charles Pawson
(passenger), got into this boat, but the rope they had
made fast to her was too short to get her clear of the
ship, and they wore obliged to slip it. They had, how-
ever, only one oar, and the boat was unmanageable. Those
on board the ship and those in the long-boat each
threw them an oar, but they could not reach them.
The long-boat, however, was hauled close, to the ship and
made fast. The rope used, however, was too short, and, be-
fore the evil could be remedied a sea struck the boat, causing
it to ship a great quantity of water, and when the sea receded
from the ship, the sudden jerk broke the rope anti drove the
long-boat off. The crew attempted to pull her to the ship,
but owing to the quantity of water in her they could not
succeed. They then left off pulling, and began bailing the
boat out ; aud while they were doing so, those on board the
ship pulled up the ensign as a signal of distress, and the ship
went down immediately, head foremost, taking with her
twenty-six souls. This occurred at eight in the morning.
The jolly-boat was lost sight of during the night, and on
Saturday the crew of the long boat were picked up by the
Volusia, M`Nab, of Belfast, from Havaonah for Greenock,
where they arrived safely. The names :of those saved are
Joshua Cherry, master ; Henry Appleby first mate ; Wni.
White, 2d do. ; Win. Hopper, cook; George Laud, car-
penter ; Thomas Hall, Hy. Pickering, Wm. Wardale,
Robert Simpson, James Anderson, all able seamen ;
Henry Dennis Alcock, apprentice ; Samuel Taylor, ordi-
nary seamen ; Wm. Feaston, passenger. Those drowned
aro John Barker and wife, Charles Bushly and wife,
Charles Spink, wife, and two children, George brewery
and wife, Thomas Batley and wife, Jane Porson, Mary
Coomer, George Hill, Robert Poole, William Parr, Charles
Liddell, wife, and three children, passengers ; William
Scholey, steward ; Batchelor, sailmaker ; William Mit-
chell Reed, apprentice ; Richard Fletcher, ordinary sea-
man.

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the movement grounds of the Crystal Palace Company. 13 a wise liberality of arrangement the directors of that Y
companyw
taking place in favour of a more expansive system of
education ; and it may be regarded as a guarantee of the
objects which the New Crystal Palace is to serve, that
the company are thus early enlisting the favour and sup-
port of the most powerful non-political organisations of
the country. More than 1,000 persons went down to
Sydenham yesterday, and the excitement and pleasure
visible in every face furnished fair indications of what
the public delight will be when the new Palace and its
grounds are rendered accessible to all. The undertaking
of the company is only an enlarged application of the
same self-supporting principle upon which the growing
intelligence of the people now manifestly rests for sup-
port ; and it seems difficult to set bounds to what may
be accomplished in this material age (with mechanical
facilities so abundant) by such an agency.
In order that it may be understood what is being ac-
complished at Sydenham on a strict commercial basis, it
seems only necessary to describe, as far as the limits of
description go, what was seen during the visit of yester-
day. The visitors were received at the entrance by Mr.
Laing, the chairman of the company, Mr. Owen Jones,
Mr. Digby Wyatt, and other chief officers. They first
proceeded to view the plans and drawings of the building
and park, which, for magnitude and splendour of con-
ception, far transcend not only the original, but any-
thing that has ever been attempted in the shape of a per-
manent structure dedicated to purposes of the kind. If
the old building was a miracle of mechanical facility, the
present one is shown, by these plans of Sir Joseph Pax-
ton's, to be still more surprising in that respect, while its
commanding site, its enormous proportions finely diver-
sified, and its details of internal and external embellish-
ment give enlarged impressions of the spirit in which it
is being carried out. Whatever may be attempted or
realised elsewhere, it is quite certain, looking at the
drawings of what the whole will be when completed,
that in no other country, and in no other city of the
civilised world, could such a structure be raised by such
resources and dedicated to such objects. Nothing short
of a population like that of London could justify the
undertaking ; and, looking at it as a commercial
speculation, it seems impossible too highly to applaud
the magnificence of a general design which has evi-
dently been framed to compel success.
Having carefully examined the drawings which were
to help them to a conception of what the whole would
be when completed, the visitors passed into courts and
galleries, wherein a crowd of bearded artists labour in-
tently to prepare the illustrations of architecture and
sculpture gathered from every school, and setting forth
in connected series the entire history of art. Of course
these objects are seen to a great disadvantage at pre-
sent, without arrangement, and the smallest details of
the workshop in progress under one's eye. Sphinxes
submitting in solemn pomp to the paintbrush, equestrian
statues showing the jointings of the cast, Egyptian dei-
ties unceremoniously fashioned in open day by the mo-
deller, and busts of the mighty dead lying in the most
undignified positions,—these, and a thousand other evi-
dences of unpreparedness, told the visitors that they were
behind the scenes, and not entitled to be critics. They
had to draw upon their fancy for a just conception of
what the whole would be when completed—when the
monumental records of civilisation, traced from the banks
of the Nile through Greece and Rome and the Lower
Empire, are seen transmitted to modern times, and ex-
panding with the development of nations into schools
and styles, each of which, compared with the other and
with the types of excellence from which they all spring,
will no doubt afford to the sculptors and architects of
this country opportunities of observation such as have
never been equalled. It is rather a remarkable consi-
deration, in connection with this part of the undertaking
at Sydenham, that the least artistic people of Europe
are, by their commercial enterprise and their zeal for
popular instruction, able to form a gallery more com-
prehensive, and therefore more effectual in giving to the
public taste a true and healthy direction than any
foreign Government has been able to bring together.
We are bringing the mechanical facilities which we pos-
sess to bear upon a great scale in rendering accessible to
the humblest classes not the chief works of a particular
school, but the choicest examples of all. Through the
unavoidable confusion of objects yesterday these consi-
derations rose plainly on the mind. Looking down from
the galleries, the different courts into which the whole
collection is to be distributed suggest the historical ar-
rangement which they will finally assume. These courts
are now rapidly growing into shape, and that for
Egyptian art is already drawing towards it models
of temples, reproductions of rock-hewn images, and
pillars indented with hieroglyphics. Six lions—
grouped on either side—guard the entrance of this
department from the nave, and, within a colossal form,
newly modelled, by the Italian sculptor Monti, indicates
what the style of internal decoration will be. The de-
signs and drawings of the manner in which the different
courts are to be fitted up were exhibited yesterday to the
visitors both by Mr. Owen Jones and Mr. Digby Wyatt;
the splendid collection made by these gentlemen abroad,
so far as it has been unpacked, was also examined with
interest. It would serve no purpose, at the present
time, to notice with much specialty the extraordinary
works now uncovered. But the Mayors and the repre-
sentatives of Institutions will, no doubt, carry back
with them to the country a lively remembrance of them.
Victories distributing their laurels, Venuses and Graces
and Eves, by the greatest masters, the chef-d'oeuvres of
the most celebrated sculptors, the busts of the most oele-
brated men, friezes and tombs and relievos, and monu-
mental effigies, equestrian statues, casts from the life,
copies of the finest objects in all the greatest European
galleries—such things are not to be seen, even in the
most confused and disordered manner, without leaving a
strong impression on the mind.
Leaving the galleries and courts in which the labours
connected with the fine arts department are prosecuted, ,
the visitors passed into fhe nave of the building,
and there realised the magnitude of its proportions
—so difficult to convey a just conception of in
any other way. Since we last noticed its progress it
has been advanced many stages towards completion,
but so vast is the amount of work comprised in it that
the nearer it approaches to being finished the more over-
whelming seems the quantity of labour still to be got
through. Now the weather permits Mr. Henderson to
put forth his entire strength, and, with the able assist-
ance of Mr. Cochrane, he does wonders, and does them
well to. The western is half more forward than the
eastern, and the arched roof is up as far as the centre
transept. At the other end, also, a good number of the
semicircular ribs are in their places. A large proportion,
not only of the flooring, but of the glazing, and even the
painting, is finished, and owing to the simultaneous way
in which the work is done it is more advanced than it
appears to be. It is also efficiently done, one great proof
of this being that there is no leakage from the roof, while
the whole details of construction preserve the same fairy-
like lightness of character which formed the charm of the old
building. Nothing seems to have been left undone to render
the structure as permanent as need be. Standing on the crest
of the hill, of enormous height and transparent in every
part, one would fancy, looking at it from without, that the
first storm would sweep it entirely from its site ; but it
is probably stronger than any of our cathedrals, to the
architectural effect of which, with its transepts and
towers, it bears some analogy. No structure in the
world, however, comes within many degrees of it in point
of grandeur, either externally or internally. One only
requires to go and look at it to be convinced of that.
While the simplicity and magnitude of its proportions
are carefully preserved, sufficient variety is secured in
every part of the design to avoid that sense of monotony
which the constant repetition of parts in the old build-
ing tended to create. The noble elevation of the site,
added to the effect of the lofty semicircular roof, brings
the vast length more within the range m the eye, and
when the wings and side towers, which have hardly yet
been touched, are up, there now remains not a doubt
that this Palace of Crystal will not only reflect credit on
the company to which it belongs, and on those who de-
signed and constructed it, but be worthy of the people
to whose use it is mainly dedicated, and, without ex-
aggeration, forms one of the wonders of the world.
The park, with its terraces and fountains, its avenues,
slopes, and parterres, did not escape yesterday the curi-
osity and admiration of the visitors. Sir Joseph Paxton,
and the contractors under him, have brought this part
of the work into a very forward state. It is no matter
of difficulty now to conceive what the grounds will be
when complete, but mere description can convey no ade-
quate idea of it. On one bank now in process of forma-
tion 200,000 spectators can sit, and all have a perfect
view of a display of fountains more than four times that
of Versailles on grand days, could it be seen put to-
gether. This single illustration will give, perhaps, a
clearer conception of the scale on which the park is laid
out than a multiplicity of details. If more is wanted to
astonish, the materials for doing so will be found in those
monstrous forms belonging to elder worlds which Mr.
Waterhouse Hawkins is preparing. The Icthyosaurus,
the Iguanadon, and the other gigantic tenants of this
planet before man's introduction upon the scene, will
surely fill full the attractions of the New Palace.
Placed upon the geological formations in which their
bones are found imbedded, and throwing some light,
however faint, upon the earliest and sublimest pages in
the History of Creation, these embodiments of the re-
searches of such men as Owen and Cuvier form a remark-
able feature in the general plan of this great enterprise
for the instruction and amusement of the people.

PROBABLE PRODUCE OF WHEAT NEXT HARVEST.—The
following calculation has been furnished by a party who
has been half a century in the trade :—Average esti-
mated produce of wheat in the United Kingdom,
23,750,000; estimated produce in 1853, owing to the
short quantity planted, and being spring sown instead
of autumn, 15,000,000 ; 8,750.000, to which add average
import of breadstuffs, since 1849, 1,177,757 ; quantity
.required between harvests of 1853 and 1854 of bread.
stuffs, 16,927,757 quarters. ' A. full crop of potatoes ma►y,
rtduce this two or three million quarters, being consi-
dered equal to five million quarters of wheat, and the
last is not considered to have produced one-ha

The premiums given by the Society of Arts were
, awarded yesterday. A numerous company, including
ninny ladies, assembled at the house of the society be-
fore 4 o'clock, and precisely at half-past 4, the time
named when Prince Albert, the President of the society,
was to take the chair, his Royal Highness arrived and
assumed that position. The Prince was received with
marked respect and cordiality.
His ROYAL HianNEse said—Ladies and gentlemen,
three years have now elapsed since this society last dis-
tributed its medals and awarded its prizes. The inter.
ruption that took place was owing to the Great Exhibi-
tion of 1851, which caused so much excitement and in-
terest and claimed such a large share of the public atten-
tion. The society took so honourable a part in that
new inventions which will be brought before you to-day,
u
that the inventive genius as well as the skill of this
hgreatope y evento
will th that it o
o neednio
onoted, be
fr
or
works t o
of to
art it.
acid
, country is making rapid strides. (Cheers.)
His Royal Highness then called upon Mr. Say, the
secretary, to read his report upon the operations and
position of the society. This report stated :
" Since the last general meeting of the society for
the distribution of premiums three years have elapsed,
takueint progress orapidly chronicle
society
he and this period has certainly not been the least eventful
portion of the history of the society, whether the sub-
jects which have occupied the whole body, or the exer-
tions of the individual members, are considered. J'
there were no other circumstances
con-
nection with the Great Exhibition, there would be much
Ne‘v(v)lhnieinncelletteraedkleanconnectionwte the to part
with
the industrial
h the
to record, and everything belonging to the history of that
great event has a new and ever-growing importance,
develop-
ing spirit of international co-operation, of which it
was in truth the first illustration. The share which this
society had in the progress of the Great Exhibition will be
recorded in the history of our country ; it is known to all,
nhtythe
and, in truth, it would hardly be necessary now to refer
to it, were it not that several of the prizes now about to
be awarded relate directly to the Great Exhibition ,
and
further, that the varied and important services connected
with it, which for nearly two years occupied many of our
most active members, have to a considerable extent inter-
fered with and modified the prize lists of the last three
years. In the year 1851, the ordinary prize list of the so-
ciety was altogether suspended, and, in place of it, special
premiums connected wholly with the Exhibition were of-
fered. It must not be supposed, however, that in conse-
quence of the time and attention thus devoted to these
particular subjests the other branches of the society's ope-
rations have been abandoned or neglected. On the con-
trary, it is probable that in no three years of the last cen-
tury has the society done more to advance the true interests
of the arts, manufactures, and commerce of the country
than it has in the last three sessions. This is not the time
to enumerate the good works which the society has under-
taken or carried out, yet it is right that I should remind
you of them, and that I should observe that, if a smaller
number of prizes are now given than used to be the case,
it is not because the society is less able or less willing than
it was formerly to reward merit, but because, from the
altered spirit of the times, the encouragement and aid of
the society are less needed as a means of bringing forth isc-
lated inventions and dormant talents, and are more
urgently needed in the development of enlarged general-
isations and comprehensive measures."
The rest of the report is devoted to a brief elucidation
of the inventions and improvements for which the prizes
are awarded. We subjoin an account of them, with a
f
classification of the prizes. They are as follow :
tthan
i those
world

1. To Mr. Joshua Rogers, 133, Bunhill-row, for his Shil-
ling Box of Water Colours—the silver medal.
2. To Mr. John Cronmire, 10, Cottage-lane, Commercial-
road East, for his Halfcrown Box of Mathematical Instru-
ments—the silver medal.
3. To Mr. James Taylor, of Elgin, for his Essay on the
Cotton Manufactures of India—the Isis medal.
4. To Mr. Henry Weekes, A.R.A., for his Essay on the
Fine Arts Department of the Great Exhibition—the silver
medal.
5. To Mr. F. C. Bakewell, for his Essay on the Machi-
nery of the Great Exhibition—the silver medal.
6. To Dr. Robinson, of Newcastle, for his Improved
Safety Lamp for Miners—the thanks of the Society.
7. To Mr. R. G. Salter, for his method of Flushing
Sewers—the silver medal.
8. To Mr. Jonas Bateman, for his Improved Life-boat—
the thanks of the Society.
9. To Mr. William Clerichew, of Ceylon, for his Im-
provements in the Curing of Coffee—the Isis gold medal.
10. To Mr. V. Vaughan, of Maidstone, for his Machine
for putting up Chimneypieces—the silver medal.
11. To Admiral Sir Henry Hart, of Greenwich, for his
mode of Curing Smoky Chimneys—the Isis medal.
12. To Mr. J. Rock, jun., of Hastings, for his new Car-
riage Spring—the Isis medal.
13. To Dr. Stolle, of Berlin, for his Essay on the Manu-
facture of Sugar—the thanks of the Society.
14. To Dr. Cumin, of Bath, for his Specimens of Paper
from Sugar Cane Refuse—the thanks of the Society.
15. To Mr. W. Bollaert, for his Essay on the Use and
Propagation of Salt—the Society's medal.
10. To Mr. H. Owen Hnsskison, for his Essay on the
Use and Preparation of Salt—the Society's medal.
17. To Mr. John Daltoa, of Hollingworth, for his Double
Register Calico Printing—the Society's medal.
18. To Mr. G. Scholes, of Landport, for his Slide Motion
Indicator—the Society's medal.
19. To Mr. G. Edwards, for his Improved Portable Pho-
tographic Camera—the Society's medal.
20. To Mr. J. Toynbee, F.R.S., for his Artificial Tym-
panic Membrane—the Society's medal.
21. To Mr.W.Woocl, for his improved method of Teach-
ing Music to the Blind—the Society's medal.
22. To Mr. A. Clandet, for his Essay on the Stereoscope,
and its applications to Photography—the Society's medal.
23. To Mr. Joseph Hopkins, of Worcester, for his mode
of giving Equatorial Motion to Telescopes—the Society's
medal.

24. To Mr. G. Jennings, for his improvements connected
with the Drainage of Houses—the Society's medal.
25. To Mr. H. J. Saxby, of Miletown, Sheerness—for his
new Lock—the Society's medal and 101.
26. To Mrs. A. Thomson, of New Bond-street, for Four
Drawings in Outline—the Society's medal.
27. To Mr. W. Stones, of Queenhithe, for his Essay on
the Manufacture of Paper—the Society's medal.
28. To Mr. C. Shepherd, jun., of Leadenhall-street, for
his improvements in Electric Clocks—the Society's medal.
29. To the 11ev. W. T. Kingsley, of Cambridge, for his
discoveries in Photography—the Society's medal.
(
30. To the Very Rey. the Dean of Hereford, for his Essay
on Self-supporting Schools—the Society's medal.
31. To Dr. Lloyd, of Warwick, for his Samples of Paper
made from the refuse of Cowhouses—the thanks of the So-
ciety.
32. To Professor Jack, of New Brunswick, for his Essay
on the Decimal System of Weights and Measures—the
thanks of the Society.
33. To Mr. James Hole, of Leeds, for his Essay on the
History and Management of Literary, Scientific, and Me-
chanics' Institutions—the Society's medal and 501.
When the report was concluded his Royal Highness
distributed the prizes to the successful competitors. The
ceremony being concluded,
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE rose, and said he pro-
posed to detain the company for a few moments in order
that they might concur in what he was sure they unani-
mously desired—a proposal to pass a vote of thanks to
his Royal Highness for his attendance that day and his
conduct in the chair. (Applause.) In making this pro-
posal, he did not do it merely out of respect to the
position which the Prince occupied—the highest position
which a subject could occupy—but more especially in
reference to the claims which he had upon the society.
He (the noble Marquis) need not enlarge upon the many
virtues of the illustrious Prince who occupied the chair.
They were too well known to require this, but he
wished to advert more particularly to the efforts made
by him in behalf of the objects of the society—objects
calculated to have a material effect upon the prosperity
of the country. Not a year had elapsed since he (the
noble Marquis) had had the opportunity of meeting
many of those then present, but even in that short period
there had been many improvements in arts and manu-
factures —new inventions, or new applications of old
principles. Enlightened feelings and activity of mind
characterised the age, but all this exertion and activity
would be wasted if there were not some central attrac-
tion round which luminous bodies might revolve and
diffuse light over every country. His Royal Highness
had given the requisite impetus to art and invention by
his zealous assistance in promoting every department of
it. This zeal had been frequently evinced, but never
snore usefully than upon the present occasion. Feeling
convinced that all would acknowledge the benefits
arising to art and science from the countenance and
patronage of his Royal Highness, he begged to move
a vote of thanks to him for his presence upon that
occasion.
Lord COLBORNE, in seconding the vote of thanks to
Prince Albert, expressed his concurrence with all that
had been said by the noble marquis, and said that he
was sure they would all feel grateful for the proof of the
interest evinced by his Royal Highness in the cause of
art and science by his presence that day.
The proposal was enthusiastically agreed to by al
present.
Prince ALBERT rose and said,—l thank you for your
very kind expressions, but I confess that the terms used
and the feeling exhibited towards me have made me
blush. In coming here to award the prizes I have only
done my duty as president of the society—a duty which
is at all times a pleasant one to me.
Prince Albert then left the chair, and the company
separated.

of
festlye sbcoooliits-
DOVER SAILORS' 1101 IE.—Her Majesty the Quee
has just presented a valuable ox of books. to the Dove
British and Foreign Sailors' Reading-rom.n. fe
com-
mands
in the library of the institution. The sailors will
duly appreciate her Majesty's kind and generous con-
sideration. They are admitted from 9 a.m. till 10 p.m.,
gratuitously, to the Reading-room, which is well sup-
plied with daily papers and. other periodicals. Nearly 300
seafaring people have availed themselves of the oppor-
at
to o
forward thes
secretary
eAtVairnyd Windsor weeks
nds
tunity thus afforded them. An adult school is also con-
nected with the institution, where the ail
who are
ignorant may be taught to real?,
THE REv. MR. BENNETT.—The vicar of Frome res-
cued on Saturday last a youth, the son of Mr. Doswell,
from. a watery grave. it app3ars the lad was fishing in
in a stream near this town, and by some accident his
foo.;42.ipped, and he fell into the water. The Rev. Mr.
Bennett, his curates, an I chorister boys, were fortu-
nately in an adjoining field playing at cricket, and the
rev. gentleman becoming aware of the accident, ran to
the assistance of the lad, and boldly pulled off his coat
receivedCa s Castle e her
rl
list
and plunged into the stein, and, as the drowning
youth rose the second time, he was secured and
rescued.—Sherbormc Journal.

PLANTATION FIRE.—On Tuesday week n. fire broke

out in the extensive plantation belonging to the Earl of

Lonsdale, situated near Plimpton. Some persons had
been burning heather on the common adjoining, and it
is supposed that`sparks bad bean wafted into. the planta-
tien,ittus.originating_tke xto, b _conniiectut.take .
during the greater part of the day. Between thirty atd
forty acres of plantation have been destroyed.—Outribcr.
land Paquet.