The Sun.
London, England, 1849-04-07 00:00:00

DIORAMA.-(THIS DAY,)

The Diorama re-opens on Easter Monday with
two new pictures (with a private view of which we
were favoured this afternoon), viz., a scene in the
valley of, Rosen '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 Arias which scparates the Ser-
nese Oberland from the Canton Valais, lies the Valli.),
of Rosenlaui, one of the moat interesting of those wild
and beautiful glens which enrich this part of Switz r-
land. Although inferior in extent to the neighbouring
valleys of Grindelwald and Me) ringen, yet in the gran-
deur and sublimity of acme rtion of its mountain
tcele, y it may fairly challenge comparison whh either ot
them. Hemmed in between the We ttelhorn (Peak of
Tempests), which rises 12,000 feet above the level of
the sea, and the Schwartzhorn, this valley is elevated
2,300 feet above
.that of Hash or Aleyrirgen, and the
various torrents of the Reic'i' aback and its tributary
streams are precipitated from it into the Valley of HaAii
by five succe.sire leap 3, well IcLown to all travellers as
the Falls of Reichenback. On the south-west the sum-
mit of the Grand Scheideck, which divides the Valley of
Rosenlaui from that cf Grindelwald, 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 entranco of this
wild and secluded valley, where snows of dazzling
whiteness appear to mingle with the rich vegetation
which 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-
horner (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 Schwartahorn. The rocks on the right
hand 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 an elevation of
13 Oit feet above the sea level."

We have first the view of the valley by daylight—.
the snow-capped mountains in the glaciers glistening
in the sun, and the waters of the roaring torrent of the
Reichenback 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 Bouton in 1835, 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 flat piece of canvas.
When we enter into the church (for so complete is
the illusion, that we seem actually to enter it,) it is
noon, and the sunshine streaming through the win-
dows, brings out in strong relief the mouuments
and architectural details of the church. The shades
of evening gradually close in—we have twilight
firs', then darkness, then gradually the chandeliers and
candelabras are illuminated, the candles on the altar
are lighted up, 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 of this day.)
The transactions in the mining
been so extensive as we share market have not
everyave found them for some time
past, although there idisposition to purchase,
especially in our leading miner,The
metal marketw i cannot be obtained
. appears to at buyers ' limits.
fain considerable firmness, whilst in tut and lead an ad-
vance is anticipated.
ctevvith in
-
Devon Great Consols have beat done this
:Ic
some instances, under our former quotations,o
standing an advanced dividend may be expected at the
next division of profits in May. We learn, on the autho-
rity of an eminent practical mining agent, who has re-
cently inspected the mines, that upwards of 60,000/,
worth of ore is in sight. The advance of the standard
has enabled the directors to lessen their sales, at the
Fame time realising larger returns than previously,
thereby making reserves for long continuous dividends.
Trelawny, Bedford United, Trehane, and Mary Ann,
from poSitive and anticipated improvements, have been
in request. South Basset, East Pool, Great Rough Tor
Consols, Levant, and West Buller, have been sought for,
but sellers rather scarce.
Tincroft and Lewis continue to maintain their grati-
fying positions represented in onr former reports, arid
buyers free at quoted prices.
Bast Varner, South Tamar, and lleignston Down are
noksuWiite-fier,3.
cifordtrtirited are in demand, and business done at
oaryreseta. to tat ion.
Snares, itrtfle following mines have changed hands
daring the ',saki—Devon Great Consols, South Wheal
BesseVe.., 0 014110 w, Bedford United, Trehane, Tre-
lawafi -VW an, Kingsett and Bedford, Tineroft,
—I