The Sun.
London, England, 1849-04-10 00:00:00

THE EXHIBITIONS, kc.

BRITISH MUSEUAL—Easter - Monday- is always a
great day at the British Museum. The crowds that
then flock to' view the treasures of art, science, and
natural history deposited in this national establish-
ment are almost innumerable ; and it is satisfactory
to find that the visitors drawn together from all parts
of this vast metropolis always conduct themselves
with so much propriety. No addition to the stores
of the Museum has recently been made, with the
exception of the Nimrod marbles, which, however,
are not yet in a state to be submitted to public in-
spection. The whole front of the new building is
now completed, and the unsightly screen belonging
to the old edifice will soon be removed. It is con-
structed in the pure Greek style of architecture, and
forms a striking contrast with another public build-
ing of importance, now slowly advancing towards
completion—the Queen's Palace at Westminster.
These two erections seem to stand in the extremes of
simplicity and richness, and are both fine examples
of their different styles of architecture.
BIUTISH INSTITUTION, PALL-MALL.—This is one
of our oldest established exhibitions ; but the display
on the walls this year is by no means so striking as
former years could boast of. There are, however, i❑
the present year's exhibition some beautiful Specimens
of landscape painting from the pencils of Lee, Cres-
wick, and Danby. Martin's large picture of Joshua
commanding the sun to stand still, is not equal to
some of his former efforts, either in conception or
effect. Most of the works exhibited are respectable
in point of talent, but very few rise above mediocrity.
Like all the other London exhibitions, this received
yesterday an accession to its ordinary number of
visitors.

COLOSSEUM.—A vast number of persons visited this
place in the course of yesterday. The numerous
attractions which have been already described have
lost nothing of their power, and the public showed
their good taste yesterday by flocking there in more
than usual numbers. 'Die whole of the arrangements
may now be said to be complete, and a more excellent
exhibition can hardly be imagined. Some of the
views are most meritorious.
DIORAMA.—This exhibition was well attended.
The pictures exhibited this year show a great advance
in the art of painting views, by which an immense
expanse of country is to be represented, and by which
prospective views of the interiors of cathedrals are to
be faithfully delineated. Some of these pictures are,
both for grandeur of outline and minuteness of detail,
amongst the best things of their class hitherto exhi-
bited, and if a little more pains were taken (which
might very easily be taken) the effects would be most
extraordinary. The views of the Palace of Windsor
which are here exhibited should be seen by all who
are anxious to know of what the interior of palaces
consists, and all antiquaries should inspect the models
of the cathedrals of Cologne and Rouen.
POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.—A vast number of
persons visited this Institution yesterday. There was
enough to amuse and to instruct all. The various
models of scientific contrivance, the representations
of inventions for which patents have been obtained,
the lecture of Dr. Bachoffner, the diving-bell, and
the almost innumerable specimens of mechanical and
chemical science, engaged the attention of the au-
ditors for several hours, and it is but just to observe
that a due estimate of the value of the Institution ap-
peared to govern those who were present, and that the
contents of the museum were regarded, not as a
show, but as a collection to advance knowledge,
and
make those for whose benefit they were collected
more wise, and more capable of appreciating the ad

vantages Of science.
The
'T PIANISM—
MARIE, TILE INFANT
clever young artiste
and evening levee of this veryier
1 pianoforte playing
was well attended yesterday.
t 9ix years old, with
is truly wonderful, scarcely ye
yet morning
span an octave,
hands so small that sheo cannotmest
difficult pieces of
she performs some of the
an ease, a brilliancy, an
pianoforte music
and a power of execution which might put
professor, and which in one so
her singing also is
taocctuhreacL,
g are truly astonishing very
youngand, in her character songs, such as " Little
pleasing; _ „
she is _ ,
Red Riding Hood, b admirable. She also dances
blush
manya ;
the " Cachucha" very gracefully. All little ladies
should attend the levee of the clever and interesting
Marie, if only for the purpose of seeing what, by
skill and taste and study, playing even in a child six
years of age can accomplish.
MADAME TUSSAIJD'S EXHIBITION.—This exhibition
was crowded all day with visitors. In addition to
the attractions by which the public have hitherto been
drawn to the rooms, there are now the representatives,
almost equal to the originals, of Richard 111., M.
Guizot, General Cavaignac, Louis Napoleon, and
other persons of similar notoriety. The rooms are
of the most elegant description, and the proprietors of

tl e-31,- who perfectly estimate the taste of the age,
I have spared no pains to make the grand hall as ele-
gant and as elaborate as can be imagined.
THE AMERICAN PANORAMA.-The exhibition of
Mr. Risley's Panorama of the Gulf of Mexico, &c.,
was yesterday literally crowded with spectators. It
is understood that this view is a genuine representa-
tion of the country, the river, and the districts which
are professed to be represented. The painting itself
is meritorious. The public appeared yesterday to
appreciate these merits, and in consequence attended
in more than usual numbers. A picture of this mag-
nitude has never before been painted or exhibited;
and if the picture has no other merit, it has at least
the qualification of magnitude to class it with the
sublime, and nothing of littleness to detract from its
claims upon the beautiful.
CREMORNE GARDENS.—A very numerous collec-
ton of holyday people were assembled in the gardens
of Cremorne to witness the ascent of the balloon,
under the management of Lieutenant Gale. The
ascent took place in the presence of several thousand
persons at half-past six o'clock. The gallant aeronaut
lerformed the feat of descending from the upper car
to one lowered beneath it by a rope ladder, and dis-
charged fireworks, &c., amidst the cheers of the spec-
tators. The balloon took a direction towards Wim-
bledon, but was so soon lost in the clouds thas it was
impossible to conjecture to what point it was making.
A variety of amusements followed. the ascent, and
the festivities of the evening, consisting of fireworks,
illuminations, theatrical and other performances,
lasted till a la'e hour. The band is very good, and
the whole of the arrangements are well managed and
carried out.