The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-20 00:00:00

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

A visit yesterday to this favourite and most attractive in-
stitution was sufficient to reduce the hyperbole, that " all
London goes to Epsom on the Derby day." Notwithstand-
ing the Derby, and the temptation to out-of.door amuse-
ments offered in every direction round the metropolis by a
fine hot day in May, the Royal Polytechnic Institution was
vry numerously attended throughout the day and evening.
There is a new lecturer added to the strength of the scientific
department in the person of Dr. Hunter Lane, whose
chemical lectures, as was to be expected from his established
reputation, give considerable satisfaction. Dr. Backhoffiler,
of course, continues, from morning to night, the varied con-
tributions of his rare acquirements and talents to the trea-
sures of knowledge and pleasure presented in this unrivalled
temple of practical science. We were greatly pleased with
the painstaking and lucid manner in which Mr. Crispe gives
the explanations of the great number of curious and in-
teresting models spread over the great hall. These explana-
tions form a very important feature in the day's entertain-
ment, and are attended to with deep attention. Mr. Long-
bottom's Physioscope, Armstrong's Hydro-electric Engine,
the Dissolving Views, the Cosmorama, and the excellent
music of the director, Dr. Wallis, are still prominent and per-
manent attractions. We should direct attention to the
Electrical Eels, as constituting the most interesting living
objects of natural history in Europe.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
Pour')fount, MAY 19.—The Commander-in-Chief, Ad-
nairal Sir Charles Ogle, Bart., attended by Commander Hew-
lett, of her Majesty's hip Excellent, went on board the St.
Vincent, this morning, and officially inspected her, and was
present at the mustering and exercise of the crew at divi-
sions, &c., previous to her going to sea. Sir Charles Ogle
has received orders from the Admiralty to shift his flag from
the St. Vincent to her Majesty's ship Victory, and for Rear-
Admiral Parker, C. 8., superintendent of the dock-yard, to
remove his flag from the Victory to-the Excellent gunnery
ship. These changes are to take place to-morrow morning,
and then Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Napier will hoist his
flag (blue at the wizen)' on board the St. Vincent. The St.
Vincent is ready for sea, and only about ten seamen short of
complement.
Captain Chads, C.B , Lieut.-Colonel Colquhoun, R.A., and
Captain B. J. Sullivan, R.N., the commis ion appointed by
the Admiralty and Ordnance Boards to examine and report
on thic best description of carriage to be recommended for
field Irtillery, have commenced their duties this day at the
laboratory on Southsea-common.
DocK-YAnn BATTALIONS.—The Admiralty have signified
to the heads of the departments that it is their Lordships'
intention to.,furnish the uniforms and appointments to the
officers as well as to the men.
The Sivedish corvette Nayaden !ailed from Spithead this
Morning.
Letters have been received from the Island of Ascension,
I ouncing the arrival there of her Majesty's steamer Rosa-
.' ind, Commander Foote. She had been to St. Nicolas, one
of the Verde Islands, and got to Ascension, all well, ou the
nd of March. She there found the Medea and Pottinger
startlers, bound to the Cape and East Indies; they had com-
pleted their coals and water, and proceeded on, but the rol-
lers having set on the island, the Rosamond was detained
until the 28th of March, and was then obliged to get her
supplies from the Tortoise store-ship. The Rosamond sailed
after the Medea and Pottinger, on the 29th of March, for the
Cape of Good Hope.