The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-22 00:00:00

A CRYSTAL PALACE IN THE MARCO POLO.

This fine Australian packet.ship, which recently made
the shortest passage on record to and from Australia,
now lies in the Salthouse Dockyard, Liverpool, under-
going extensive internal alterations and adornments. The
first saloon, when completed, will present a brilliant
appearance. It is being fitted up with stained glass
pannelling, alternating with mirrors. On one side of
the saloon are transparent paintings on glass, represent-
ing picturesque portions of Australian scenery ; while
the transparencies on the opposite side represent Wind-
sor Castle and the principal baronial halls of old Eng-
land. The doors fronting the saloon furnish the eye
with beautifully executed designs of Commerce and In-
dustry, in stained glass. Between them is placed a large
mirror, so placed as to reflect nearly all the decorations.
On either side of the mirror will be the arms of England
and Australia. At the opposite end are ventilators,
constructed on the most improved principle, the sides
of which will be formed of stained glass, with designs
emblematical of the four seasons, while on the door
will be a full-length painting of Britannia, on glass.
In the centre of the saloon is a large slab of glass, form-
ing a dumb-waiter, beneath which is an air-chamber,
with a lamp burning, to carry the ventilation from the
lower-deck. The dumb-waiter will be surmounted by a
magnificent glass panel, in the centre of which a clock
will be placed. A rich Turkey carpet will cover the
floor, and around the saloon will be placed reclining
cushions, in crimson Utrecht velvet. Dining tables are
being placed on each side of the saloon, with swinging
trays depending from the roof. Adjoining the saloon,
there is a ladies' drawing-room, elegantly painted in gold
and white, with sofas in green Utrecht velvet, and hav-
ing a large centre table. The second saloon, which is
spacious, light, and well ventilated, has been neatly
papered. A great improvement has been here intro-
duced, which we have no doubt will soon be adopted in
other large vessels. A brass hand-rail is placed on each side,
by the aid of which passengers may walk to and fro without
running the risk of breaking their necks down a hatchway.
In the third cabin, a similar desire on the part of the owners
to make the passengers comfortable is observable. The
berths are large, light, and well ventilated. There are ten,
ventilators, running from the lower to the upper deck, so
that each is supplied with the means of emitting the bad
and admitting the pure air. They have glass tops, and
thus serve the double purpose of ventilators and win-
dows. The first-class dormitories will be elegantly fitted
after the manner of the Cunard mail steamers. Another
improvement which is being introduced cannot be too
extensively imitated on board of large ships. The pantry
has two sliding hatches, one communicating with the
galley for the reception of cooked victuals, and the other
opening directly into the dining-room. The smoking
viands can thus be served with a rapidity which has
never before been possible. There is no doubt that,
when completed, these improvements will make the
Marco Polo the most elegant and convenient, as well as
the fastest, sailing-vessel affording communication be-
tween Great Britain and the golden land. She is ad-
vertised to take her departure this month.