The Sun.
London, England, 1849-04-09 00:00:00

THE D lORAMA.

The Diorama re-opens on this day (Monday) with
two new pictures (with a private view of which we
were favoured on Saturday), viz., a scene in the
valley of Rosenlaui, in the Bernese Oberland, and
the interior of the Church of Santa Croce at Flo-
rence. The Swiss landscape is painted by M. Diosse,
who was a pupil of M. Daguerre, and who as an
artist surpa,ses even his great master. Never have
we seen a more beautiful picture than this of the
Valley of Rosenlaui. The following description of
the locality of the valley is from the programme of
the Diorama :

" In the southern part of the Canton Berne, enclosed
within the chain of lofty. Alps which separates the Ber-
nese Oberland from the Canton Valais, lies the Valley
of Rosenlaui, one of the most interesting of those wild
and beautiful glens which enrich this part of Switzer-
land. Although inferior in extent to the neighbouring
valleys of Grindelwald and Meyringen, yet in the gran-
deur and sublimity of some portion, of its mountain
scenery it may fairly challenge comparison with either of
them. Hemmed in between the Wetterhorn (Peak of
Tempests), which rises 12,000 feet above the level of
the sea, and the Scho•artzhorn, this valley is elevated
2,300 feet above that of Hash or Meyringen, and the
various torrents of the Reichenback and its tributary
streams are precipitated from it into the Valley of Hasli
by five successive leaps, well known to all travellers as
the Falls of Reichenback. On the south-west the sum-
mit of the Grand Scheideck, which divides the Valley of
lioserilaui from that of Grindclwald, rises to

the height of 6,711 feet. It is in ascending from
Meyringen that the valley presents itself under the
most imposing aspect, and after a toilsome ascent
of two hours the traveller reaches the entrance of this
wild and secluded valley, where snows of dazzling
whiteness appear to mingle with the rich vegetation
whioh. clothes its sides, and where, at every step he
takes along the path which follows the windings of the
torrent, the traveller is delighted with an ever-varying
succession of most sublime pictures. By degrees the giant
Wetterhorn appears to rise from the sombre depth of
the valley, and then in front of it the Wellborn comes into
view, but inferior in height by nearly 2,000 feet. On
the left, embedded between the Wellhorn and the Engel-
homer (or Angels' Peaks) the Glacier of Rosenlaui de-
scends almost perpendicularly. This glacier, from the
extreme purity of its surface, and the exquisite and tran-
sparent blue colour of its icy chasms, has been called the
" Pearl of Swiss Glaciers." The Weissbach issues from
the glacier, and mingles its waters with those of the
Reichenback, the source of which is a small lake on the
summit of the Schwartshorn. The rocks on the right
han•i of the spectator form part of the base of this
mountain. The pathway seen on the left of the picture
leads across the Grand Schiedeck to Grindelwald, and
the snowy summit seen in the extreme distance is that
of the Grand Eigher, which reaches au elevation of
13.086 feet above the sea level."

We have first the view of the valley by daylight—
the snow-capped mountains with the glaciers glistening
in the sun, and the waters of the roaring torrent of the
fteichenback sparkling like gems. Suddenly the at-
mosphere becomes darkened by clouds, and we see
the vivid lightning flashing from peak to peak of the
mountains, illuminating the whole landscape for an
instant with a glare of lurid light. All becomes
calm again, and when we leave the valley
the shades of evening are closing over it.
This is, we repeat, the most beautiful
landscape that has ever been exhibited. The interior
of the Church of Santa Croce was painted by the
Chevalier Bunton in 1335, and so completely archi-
tectural is it in its appearance, that it is almost im-
possible to imagine it can be a mere picture painted
with ordinary colours and on a tat piece of canvas.
When we enter into the church (for so complete is
the illusion, that we seem actually to enter it,) it is
no .n, and the sunshine streaming through the win-
dows, brings out in strong relief the monuments
and architectural details of the church. The shades
of evening gradually close in—we have twilight
first. then darkness, then gradually the chandeliers
and candelabras and the candles on the altar are
lighted up, and the church appears artificially illumi-
nated as for evening service. The organ is heard, and
the congregation is seen in the distance ; the lights
are gradually extinguished, the congregation disap-
pear, and in the grey dawn of morning we quit Santa
Croce, and on quitting it are almost surprised to find
that we are not at Florence. We anticipate for the
Diorama a perfect harvest this season. The present
exhibition is one that everybody must see.

MINING INTELLIGENCE.
(From the Mining Journal.)
The trarxsaetions in the mining share market have not
been so extensive as we have found them for some time
pact, although there is every disposition to purchase,
especially, in our leading mines, which cannot be obtained
at buyers limits. The metal market appears to main-
tain considerable firmness, whilst in tin and lead an ad-
vance is anticipated.
Devon Great Consols have been done this week, in
some inst:nces, under our former quotations, notwith-
standing an advanced dividend may be expected at the
Ilex! division of profits in May. We learn, on the autho-
Tit) of an eminent practical mining agent, who has re-
the mines, that upwards of $O,OOO/.
cently inspected
Worth of ore is in eight. The advance of the standard
itite,,nabit,l the directors to lessen their sales, at the
same tinge realising larger returns than previously,
reserves for long continuous dividends.
• Tr,la.vn, Ileglfsmi United, Trehane, and Mary Ann,
f..orn positive and anticipated improvements, have been
•it, request.. South Basset, Kist Pool, Great Rough Tor
Consols, L.,vaot, and West Bu!ler, have been sought for,
trit setter:, rasher scarce.
Tincroft and Lewis continue to maintain their grad-
fyirrz positions represented in our former reports, and
bit rs free at quoted rakes.
1,3 tst Tamar, South Tamar, and Heignston Down are
not quite so firm.
,Betitor,i United are in demand, and business done at
our piiesent quotation.
Snarcs in the following mines have changed hands
during the week:—Devon Great Consols, South Wheal
.-.Bas&ep Qsandurrow, Bedford United, Trehane, Tre-
hawtlY, ...Mary Ann, Kingsett and Bedford, Tincroft,
Stray 1-'66,1(#.- Ea.4t .Tainar, South Tamar, Drake. Walls,
East Crow 'Wale, Lewis, Tamar Consols, Treviskey and
Barrier, llorocisfoot, Franco, Treleigh, West Wheal
Jewel, Birch Tor, Callington, Cwm Erfin, Wellington,
lieignston Du WI/ South Milton, &c.

At the Wheal Catherine meeting, the accounts from
August, 1846, to July, 1847, were balanced, and 1341.
Bi. found due to the purser. A call of 245. per share
bras made.
At the Wheal Basset meeting, the statements repre-
sented the profits for Jan. and Feb. to be 4001., which,
with the former balance, 4201. 13s. 11d., was carried to
credit of next account.
At the Runnaford Coombe meeting the finances were
represented in a favourable position. The agent's report
is very satisfactory, and arrangements for vigorous
operations are being made for more complete develop-
ment.
At the South Wheal Trelawny meeting a call of 2/.
per share was made. The reports of Captains Bryant,
Dunstan, and Lean, recommending the only hope of
satisfactory results—to sink the engine-shaft 20 fathoms
deeper, were adopted.
At the West Wheal Treasury meeting, from the state-
ment of accounts, it appeared a loss of 411. 7s. Id. was
sustained during December and January. The agent's
report, however, is encouraging—anticipating early im-
provements from present appearances.
At the Pennant and Craigwen meeting the result was
highly satisfactory, and there is now little doubt that,
after the long delay, through the perseverance evinced,
the mines will shortly prove highly remunerative. We
were pleased to find the meeting so numerously attended,
upwads of 6,000 shares being represented, or nearly seven-
eighths of the entire body of shareholders.
At the meeting of the Company of Copper Miners in
England, on Wednesday last, a protracted and. some-
what noisy discussion took place; the report was at
length received, and it is hoped a plan will shortly be
successfully arranged for a complete resuscitation of the
company.
At the Lamherooe meeting, on Thursday, the accounts
showed a balance in hand of 5981. up to the end of Ja-
nuary; 85 shares were forfeited, and a call of 11. was
made.

At the Comblawn meeting, on Tuesday last, the ac-
counts showed a balance against the mine of 181. 2s. 7d.,
and a call of 21. per share was made.

In foreign mines, the prinipal transactions appear to
have been in United Mexican, St. John del Rey, Aus-
tralian, Copaipo, Guadalcanal, Lenares, and Barossa
Range, and the North British Australasian.

Dispatches have been received by the St. John de
Rey, United Mexican, and the Bolaaos Mining Com-
panies.

- The St. John del Rey letters are highly satisfactory,
which are dated to the 18th January, representing the
profits for December to be 3,938/. 13s. 2d.
The United Mexican advices are to the 9th February.
The Santo Toribio Mine is represented to have im-
proved generally, and the remittance of 30,000 dollars,
advised in the last report, has been received.
The Bolanos advices are down to the sth February;
but they do not contain any matter of importance. The
mines, at present, are far from being productive. At El
Bote Mine the erection of the engine, and other requi-
sites, were progressing satisfactorily.
About one ton of rich copper ore was found on the
surface upon a portion of the Bon Accord property, ad-
joining Burrs liurra. This section of land was pur-
chased by the Scottish Australian Investment Company,
who have let one-third to the North British Australasian
Company, and another portion to Mr. Rankin, reserving
the remainder themselves, and which property, we un-
derstand, is about being developed.
Since our last, we have received the report of Burra
Burrs. half• yearly meeting, held in the colony since Oc-
tober last. The financial statement shows a profit of
69,956/. 9s. 7d. during eleven months, and dividends to
the amount of 61,600/. paid to the Ist March ; seven di-
vidends had been paid, amounting to 123,000/. The di-
rectors' report refers to a valuable discovery having been
made subsequent to the previous meeting, which will
give greater permaaency to the mine.