The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-02 00:00:00

THE POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

Among all the Easter attractions, none has been more
attractive and interesting than the Polytechnic Insti-
tution. Throughout the week it has been crowded with
holiday folks, and the numerous attendance at the lec-
tures has showed that mere amusement, without care
for instruction and profit therefrom, was not the only,
object of the visitants. The newest feature is a repre-
sentation, by means of dissolving views, of the principal
scenes in "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which are made the
foreground. as it were, to views taken from nature, of
the actual localities in which they are supposed to have
occurred. The lectures, delivered by Messrs. Pepper,
Bachhoffner, and Crispe, comprise 'Half-hours with
the Modern Chemists," a discourse on the " Mechanical
Properties of 2Eriform Bodies," and an "Explanation
of the properties and construction of Ericsson's Caloric
Engine." They are full of useful and practical infor-
mation, conveyed in a simple popular style, and easy of
comprehension by the most every-day intellect. The
galleries and vestibules exhibit no diminution of the
stores of mechanical art, with which they have always
been furnished. The diving-bell, the lectures, the opti-
cal experiments, the models, and the numberless objects
illustrative of English ingenuity and industry which are
to be met within the walls of this popular establishment,
are fertile and unwearying sources of amusement, each
day suggesting matter for reflection, and highly pro-
fitable as knowledge. The institution supplies a great
void in our list of national exhibitions, and we are glad
to see that the efforts of the management are appreciated
by the public.

THE CITY ADDRESS TO LOUIS NAPOLEON.

CO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,—The delaratioii of certain persons, professing to
speak in the name of the Merchants, Bankers, and others
of the city of London, which has been presented as an
Address on their behalf to Louis Napoleon, scarcely
deserves more notice than it has received at your hands.
But I beg your permission to give publicity to the fol-
lowing facts, which may in some degree neutralize the
effect of a proceeding liable to be misrepresented in
France, and likely, I fear, to lower this country in the
eyes of the world.
This Address was not voted or adopted at any public
meeting ; the attempt to get up such a meeting failed,
for it was ascertained that any such proposal would have
been met by decided opposition on the part of the mer-
chants and bankers of London, not inferior in position to
those who have lent their names to this document.
The signatures were therefore obtained by private cir-
culation, solicitation, and, to some extent, misrepresen-
tation, for many of those who signed had no idea of the
object to which it was to be applied. Indeed, ther is
nothing in the wording of the document to show that it
was to be used as an address at all. Lord J.
was asked, as one of the members of the city, to head
the list, but declined to do so ; and it has been justly re
marked in Paris that the deputation was not introduced
to the Emperor by the British Ambassador. I believe,
moreover, that it will be found, if the secret history of
this transaction is ever brought to light, that w some
members of the deputation joined it as friends of th
Team Society, others* are already, largely interested in
oaivn
name
Government—
already
circumstancereadyas oneofthose which,
various commercial speculations in France, and are at
this very time soliciting further concessions and patron-
age from the French
in some degree, accounts for their servility to the "august
throne" of omfasNtaeprraolvens "august
to whom the new railway from Bordeaux to Lyons has
been conceded.

TilE CONSTANTINOPLE NEW BANK.- —From Constanti-
tinple the statement is repeated that the negotiations
for °Che establishment of a new bank are almost concluded.
The intended capital is alleged to be 4,000,000/., and
the tribute of Egypt is to mortgaged as a security for
15 years. It is to be hoped, however, that not a shil-
ling can be raised in this country unless the engagements
of the last bank are previously fulfilled by an ample in-
demnity to the holders of the loan.

NEW YORK MONEY MARKET.—The additional intelli-
gence frOna New York describes no further alteration in
the money market. The lowest rate of discount was 7
per cent., and the pressure was still sufficient to cause a
supply of bills upon England to be forced on the mar-
ket, and prevent for the present any remittances of
specie. After the publication of the quarterly accounts
of the banks, facilities, however, would be extended as
usual, and a rapid recovery in prices was likely to take
place. Meanwhile, it is quoted as a proof of the general
soundness of the trade of New York, that not a single
failure has occurred in that city. At Baltimore
alleged that o f
tdatLoi
wle
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o guatrnnhedeta
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ssfnua nwCt asonsn sef,
raatorrhdml
ye,
acwemaliouoi
ufsaoenl r
amount
i toaaf liabilities
boeat been
provision-houses have stopped, the chief of them being
Tr
ehc ee
i dv
ee
ship-
ped from San Francisco, exclusive of sums in the hands
of passengers, during the first two months of the pre-
sent year having been equal to 2,160,0001. against
935,0001. in the corresponding months of 1852.
CUSTOMS.---Mr. Culling C. Smith, one of the Commis-
sioners of Customs, and the oldest existing member of
the board, has retired from the public service. Mr.
Smith is very highly connected, having been so, by mar-
riage, with the late Duke of Wellington, and his daughter
being the present Duchess of Beaufort. It is believed
that the vacancy caused by the late retirement of Mr. Cul-
ling Smith, and also that by the late retirement and sub-
sequent decease of Mr. Lushington, will not be filled up;
thereby effecting a reduction of two in the number of the
board as formerly constituted.
DISSATISFACTION AMONG RAILWAY SERVANTS.—A
feeling of dissatisfaction with the present rate of wages
has been manifested by the servants of the railway
companies centring at Manchester, and something like
a combination exists among them to raise the scale
of remuneration. At present, we believe the managers
of the various companies are in conference as to what
steps shall be taken, and we cannot, therefore, say
what will be the decision. The men connected with
the Lancashire and Yorkshire ask for an increase of
15 per cent.
DR. PIISEY.—This well-known priest has lately visited
Exeter. The reverend doctor has administered religious
consolation to divers ladies with whom he is a favourite
confessor. Dr. Pusey appears to have kept Lent with
great strictness—he looked very meagre indeed,— West-
ern Times.