The Sun.
London, England, 1849-10-06 00:00:00

POLYTECHNIC IN STITUTION.

Doctor Bachhoffner has just commenced a series of
lectures on electricity, and for the purpose of in-
creasing the interest and beauty of his experiments
has revived the hydro-electric machine. Until the
invention of this gigantic contrivance water was the
greatest enemy the electrician had to contend
with, but since the hydro- electric machine has
been adopted the element has been made sub-
servient to its power. The Learned Professor ex-
hibited numerous experiments during his lecture,
among them one particularly worthy of notice—an
electric spark was given off three feet in length, much
to the astonishment and delight of the audience. The
power of the machine is best proved by contrasting
it with the largest electric machine known, the glass
plate being seven feet in diameter, but with its
greatest force is exceeded by the hydroelectric ma-
chine by eight times its power.—Several additions
have been lately made to the Dissolving Views in and
around the Eternal City, which have become a source
of so much attraction to the visitors, no doubt in a
great measure from the late stirring events of which
Rome has been the theatre.

LO URT CIRCULAR.
OSBORNE, FRIDAY.
The Queen and Prince, accompanied by his Royal
Highness the Duke Alexander of Wirtemberg, walked
early this morning in the Park of Osborne.
The younger branches of the Royal Family walked and
rode as usual.

His Royal Highness Prince Albert, and his Roy al
Highness the Duke Alexander, afterwards went out
shooting, attended by Colonel F. Seymour.
The Royal dinner party, yesterday, . included the
Dowager Lady Littelton and Mr. Birch.

Her Royal Highness the DuchesJ of Gloucester ar-
rived in town yesterday morning from her residence in
Richmond Park. His Royal Highness Prince George
visited her Royal Highness. The Royal Duchess left
Gloucester House in the afternoon on her return to
Richmond Park.

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon at
the Foreign-office. The Ministers present were—Lord
John Russell, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Lans-
downe, Sir George Grey, Viscount Palmerston, Earl
Grey, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Francis
Baring, the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, Lord Campbell,
and the Earl of Carlisle. The Council sat two hours.
Lord and Lady John Russell returned to town yester-
day from Woburn Abbey.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lady Mary
Wood arrived at their residence in Dowing• street yes-
terday morning from a visit to the Duke and Duchess of
Bedford, at Woburn Abbey.

THE QUEEN DOWAGER.—We are happy to learn
that Queen Adelaide is in the enjoyment of better health
than for some months past, and, weather permitting,
takes daily drives in the neighbourhood of Stanmore.
Their Serene Highnesses the Duchess Ida of Saxe
Weimar and the Princesses intend to remain some weeks
on a visit to her Majesty, the Duke Bernard of Saxe
Weimar being at Batavia as Governor and Commander-
in-Chief at that Dutch colony. Prince Ed ward of Saxe
Weimar is stationed with his regiment at Chichester.
Mankind too generally mistake anarchy for liberty,
ostentation for generosity, passion for love, and vanity
for pride; yet how widely different are they all.--Eliza
G'ook's Journal.