The Sun.
London, England, 1849-08-09 00:00:00

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

A novelty of a highly interesting character was in-
troduced to the notice of the numerous visitors to this
excellent institution yesterday. It consisted of a new
series of dissolving views illustrative of various points
in the "eternal city "—Rome—accompanied by an
interesting descriptive discourse, delivered by Mr.
n J.
Russell ; thus, as it were, at o
most acceptable form two great
and instruction. A more able lecturer than Mr.
qeua combining
lites,amuseiinethnet
Russell could not well have been selected, his classic
reading and knowledge enabling him to present a fund
of useful information at the same time that his abilities
as a lecturer give him the power of rendering his dis-
c•arse as it were familiar to all his hearers. The
views are twelve in number, artistically and correctly
painted, and are exhibited in the large theatre
recently constructed in the Institution. The
lecturer introduced his subject by alluding to the
improved method of present travelling, which served,
he said, almost to bring the continent to us. For-
merly it was thought a journey of several days to
Dover, now it could be reached in two hours and a
half. The first view was of Toulon, which the de-
scriber, said was, doubtless, from its peculiar structure
and other causes, of Roman origin ; it contained an
arsenal, in which every requisite for the building and
fitting-out of ships for the navy was to ba found.
Civita Vecchia, which followed, was, said the lecturer
a surprising proof of the popularity and notice which
steam navigation had been the means of bring into of
towns and places which would otherwise have been
disregarded, and comparatively unknown ; this place,
too, was also remarkable, as the port of debarkation
of the French army after their late "friendly visit."
The villa of Monte Maria was then shown, followed by
the famous Tiber. This river was described as still over-
flowing its banks as it did in the days of the poet
Virgil. Many of the little streets which were con-
tiguous to its banks were inundated when these
overflows took place. The Bridge and Castle hoot
Angelo, with the effect of the Girandola, w
Mount Aventine was also introduced,
"
lecturer said its sylvan heightsof er•heisch the.
the early poets with fauna, ymhpands' been
i peopled
&c.,
itoppled by
i many of
whom tombs had been erected. but whichmo p
e suerseded were now
in many places by convents.
terminates the •
Ancona, and Piazza del ropolo,then follow in rapid
succession. Of Ferrara, which series,
Mr. Russell remarked, that A appeared to be a fated
city, tsot
e frogsh e
could humidityof the atmosphere,
livingno for,
thrive in it. Here
owingthi ngs save
it was that Tasso was imprisoned by Alfonso, chained
with madmen ; and here,
ost o ,
bt3h, e
lightning, ornaments too, stood the tomb of
struckAr of which were on one occasion
which fact gave rise to Lord
Byron's beautiful stanza—
" The lightning rent from Ariosto's bust—
The iron crown of laurel's mimick'd leaves,
Nor was the ominous element unjust,
For the true laurel-wreath which glory weaves,
Is of the tree no bolt of thunder cleaves, &c."
The exhibition was loudly applauded. In Out even-

ing a clever lecture on " Ancient Minstrelsy" W 64
delivered by Mr. G. Soane; the wanderings of the'
Troubadours and their adventures and songs forming
the , übject-matter of the lecture. Mr. Soane is ably
assis!ed by Misses Clara and Rose Suane. The music,
both to this and to the dissolving views, has been
arranged with great taste and care by Dr. Wallis,
the Musical Professor to the institution.