The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-20 00:00:00

POLY TECIIN IC INSTITUTION.

For some weeks past the above institution has bees,
closed for the purpose of making certain alterations of
an extensive character which had been thought desirable.
These alterations are now completed, and last night the
directors issued tickets for a " private view," preparatory
to the opening, this day, to the public. About 2,000
individuals were present, so that it was a very question•
able kind of privacy ; indeed, the galleries and vestibules
were so crowded with invited loiterers as to inconveni-
ently limit the opportunity of examining the place.
The principal novelty is an entirely new lecture
room, running on the south side of the building, access
to which is obtained on each floor. We had but a very
imperfect view of this additional edifice, for it was
crowded to repletion all the time we were present, and
there was neither getting in or out. The peep, however,
that we bad through the entrances, disclosed to us a
spacious area, with an arched roof, and lantern sky-light.
At one end is a sort of proscenium, spanning a stage of
considerable depth, upon which the lectures are to be
given. The public occupy the arena below the lecturer,
also a long inclined plane of seats level with the old
gallery, besides other accommodations of narrower
dimensions up stairs. It is said that upwards of 1,200
people may be seated in this magnificent theatre, and
the appearance last night seemed to justify the assertion.
The old lecture-room at the western extremity being
rendered useless as regards its original purposes, is now
converted into a lounge in connexion with the general
exhibition, and is well stored with models—chiefly of
ships, native and foreign. In other respects the aspect
of the place is much the same as before—only renovated
and brightened, for the hand of the cleaner has been
busy—not before, let us add, it was wanted. Many ad-
ditional objects of interest have been obtained, and every
corner is crowded with some piece of philosophical or
mechanical ingenuity, &c., the examination of which
would absorb several hours.
Dr. Ryan is still the principal lecturer to the esta-
blishment, and he contributed a discourse on chemistry
last night, followed by IL Goadby, Esq., who enter-
tained the audience for a long time with a dissertation on
the structure and functions ot• insects. A new set of dis-
solving views, copied from "Roberts's Scenes in the
Holy Land," were also shown. The Polytechnic Institu-
tion thus comes out with fresh claims upon the public
favour, and there is every reason to believe they will be
handsomely recognised during the forthcoming holiday
season.

NEW MUSIC.
" THE OLD PALACE."
Robert Cocks, Arew Burlington-street.
This song is a fine specimen of a healthy school of
lyrics. The public has long been sickened with.
ephemeral trash in doggerel rhyme, alike destitute of
imagination or sentiment. Publishers and composers
have paid too much respect to mere melody—they
have unceasingly drugged the ear of Apollo with
tinkling airs and flowing harmony, forgetting his god-
ship is somewhat particular as to the "immortality"
of the " verse" " wedded to music." The song before
us is written by Eliza Cook, a lady whose name is
dear and familiar to all English hearts. The
exquisite pathos in her beautiful ballad of
" The Old Arm Chair," and the stirring na-
tionality of " The Englishman," breathe the
true spirit of a genius that ranks with a
" Burns," or a Campbell, and many a roof will ring
with the noble compositions of Eliza Cook when the
Far of the writer shall be deaf to fame. Kenilworth
is the subject she has chosen for the "Old Palace,"
and strength and imagery pervade the lines. Loder
has given it a fine and imposing melody—such a
composer
is worthy such a writer, and the conjunc-
tion will doubtless insure the popularity merited. We
shall be glad to see the succession of fine songs which
the spirited publisher promises.

MAUNDAY TDUIZSDAY—Q---UEENS BOUNTY —T
day being Maui:day Thursday, the Queen's bou.nty or
Maunday money was distributed to fift3, d
women, at the Chapel Royal, RightWhitehalrl7Thmeenaud
Rev. the Bishop of Oxford officiated as Almoner, Dr
Jell, Sub-Almoner, and Mr. J. Manning as yeoman..
The women received 31. 15s. 4d., and as many silver
pennies as her Majesty is years of age. The men
received 41. 15s. in money, with brown cloth to make a
suit of clothes, linen, shoes, and stockings. The gold
was placed in a crimson silk bag, and the small silver
muney in white bags of the same material.
ST. KILDA.—The distance of St. Kilda from land
has often led the inhabitants into strange mistakes. For
nearly six months, at one time, they religiously observed
Monday as Sabbath, and only rectified their error by
going to Harris to ascertain the real state of the matter;
while prayer was regularly and devoutly offered up for
King William a year alter his deoesse.—Ross-shire
Advertiser.

THE UNITED STATES
AND MEXICO.

ARRIVAL OF THE CALEDONIA.
LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY.
By the arrival at this port, last evening, of the royal
mail steamer Caledonia, Capt. Leitch, with the mails
from Boston and Halifax, and about 30 passengers, we
have received our usual files of papers to the sth inst.,
her day of sailing from Boston, and the 7th from Halifax.
The Caledonia met the steamer Hibernia, which sailed
hence on the 25th ult., entering Halifax. She has
brought home about 6,0001. specie on freight.
The great event that had occurred since the last
advices was the arrival out of the Caledonia her-
self, on the 27th ultimo, with the news confirmed
of the establishment of a Republic in France,
and its acknowledgment by the liberal Govern-
ments of England and the rest of Europe.
It was hailed in every part of the union with the
greatest demonstrations of joy and satisfaction. Meet-
ings to celebrate and acknowledge the recognition of
the new Republic were everywhere held, and the en-
thusiasm of the people hardly knew any bounds. The
President of the United States transmitted to both
Houses on Monday an official message, communicating
the dispatches of the American Minister at Paris,
announcing his course in recognising immediately
the new Government, which the President very
emphatically approves, and sympathises entirely
with the Republican movement in France. It
had caused considerable remark, however, that cer-
tain resolutions of congratulation and sympathy
with the Republic of France, proposed in the Senate
of the United States, debated and opposed, were
rejected on Monday, by a vote of 21 ayes to 22 nays.
It was only a question of time and present fitness, and
not of feeling, with those who opposed too precipitate
action. All parties look at the peaceful establishment
of a Republic in France as a most desirable consum-

mation.
Large and enthusiastic meetings of Irish, German,
French, and American citizens have been held in
all the principal cities of the Union, to express
their sympathy for republicanism in Europe.
One of these in the city of New York took place on
the 3d instant in the Park ; platforms were erected,
which were occupied by American, French, Ger-
man, and Italian sympathisers, who addressed
the immense multitude assembled. At night the
City Hall was illuminated along its entire front,
and before the balcony was placed a piece of fire-
works, which displayed in letters of fire the words
" Vive la Republique !" A number of private
houses, and most of the French and German hotels,
were illuminated. The demonstration (says a New
York paper) was enthusiastic in the highest degree,
and served to indicate the feelings which exist in the
hearts of the foreign population of this city, as well
as our own citizens.
From Mexico we are withont any decisive intelli-
gence as to the probable fate of the treaty of peace.
We have papers and letters from the city of Mexico,
to the I.4th ult., which seem generally to incline to
the belief that the treaty would be ratified by the
Congress of Queretaro, if a sufficient number of
Members could be convened there for the purpose.
At that date not more than thirty were present.
The country seems quiet under the armistice; and,
as the commissioners from the United States, with
the ratified treaty, are on the way, it is confidently
believed here that peace will result; all the sooner,
perhaps, from the great political revolution in France,
which is likely to occupy the European Powers with
interests nearer home.
The 16,000,000 dolls. Loan Bill has passed both
Houses of Congress, received the President's signa-
ture, and is now a law.
It is not supposed that proposals for more than
ten millions will as yet be issued, and the stock
can only be negotiated at par, at an interest not
exceeding six per cent. There is little doubt that
par will be bid for what shall be required, provided
the instalments be not too large and rapid. An ap-
propriation is made in the law for the expenses of
negotiating this loan, which may mean sending an
agent to Europe to obtain bids.
A Charge d'Affaires, on behalf of the United
States, to the Ceurt of Rome, has, for the first time,
been appointed; and Mr. artin, the secretary of
the American embassy at Paris, has been chosen for
that station. He is a capable and qualified man—
especially qualified as speaking the languages.
The Bill for raising ten regiments of regulars, in
addition to the existing army, which passed the
Senate of the United States within a few days after
the treaty of peace with Mexico was ratified, has
been laid upon the table of the House of Representa-
tives, and unless the treaty be rejected by Mexico,
will not be called up again.
John Jacob Astor, undoutedly the wealthiest man
in the United States, died in New York on the 539th
ult., at the advanced age of eighty-five. His property
is estimated at ten millions of dollars.
COMMERCIAL NEWS.
(From the New York Courier and Inquirer.)
Our position in the United States is sound and
flourishing, commercially. The money market, after
being somewhat disturbed by the money convul-
sions of Europe, is calm and free. The demand
for articles of export to France is cut off for the

time being, by uncertainty as to the political condition
of that country; and the shipments to Great Britain
are not large, because the prices there of American pro.
duce offer few inducements. Yet, as the spring trade
opens,
and the rivers and the lakes shall pour down the
agricultural wealth of the interior, there must be ship-
ments. Ships are always ready.
Our markets for stocks and produce have been vari-
ously affected by the late European news. Stocks, which
at first fell, have again rallied, and advanced higher than
before the arrival of the Caledonia. Produce, on the
contrary, droops, mainly because of the check given to
exportation to France, which, in cotton especially, was
considerable at this season of the year.
Owing to the repairs and enlargement of the Erie
Canal now in progress, the period of resuming navigation
looking for an early trade, which the season would
is postponed till May I—a great disappointment to many,
already permit, for our spring has commenced and winter
has disappeared. By the increased facilities, however,
the aggregate of the year's trade will not probably be
found diminished.

In foreign exchange our quotations for English ster-
ling are from 8 to 9t, and in extreme cases 9i. In francs
there is no market—few caring to draw, and fewer still
being able to negotiate bills on France.
The Cotton market has suffered a decline owing to the
advices per Caledonia, mid the continual large accumu-
lation of stocks at the southern ports—the excess at the
latest dates received over the stocks at the like period

last year reaching 235,000. --
--
The fall in price since the Caledonia's arrival may be
stated at from to of a cent. per lb. In the southern
ports business declined very much on the receipt of the
I
Cambria's news, giving the first intelligence of the
French Revolution. When the accounts by the Caledonia
shall reach them, the decline must be still greater.
Bread Stuffs—Since the sailing of the steam-ship
Cambria the operations in flour have been on quite a

. ~ ... ...... _
limited scale, and confined mostly to the wants of
the city trade. Pure Genessee brands are scarce,
and bring 6 dolls. 621 c., whilst the common kinds of
O 6
dolls. 561 c. Baltimore, Georgetown, Richmond country
ansdw
other
sr
oo
uo
tkhl
ey
rnn, 8;
are selling may be had at 6 dolls. 50c. to
selling slowly at 6 dolls. 25c. to
6 dolls. 37ic. The stocks of all kinds are light, and not
more than will be wanted before the opening of the Erie
Canal on the Ist of May. Corn meal is dull at 2 dolls.
50c. ; Rye flour 3 dolls. 62ic. ; Indian corn has been
selling freely the last week for distilling, and a fair
past have
portion for export prices have ranged from 52c.
to 54c. for Jersey yellow, and 530. to 56c.
for white Southern and Jersey. The export of
corn from this port for March was 207,953 bushels.
Rye is in moderate request at 73 to 75c. Wheat is
still held at 140 c. for Ohio, and 150 c. for.Genessee, with
small sales.
g hmt 0
stl engagementsyfbrcorn, aftor3ad.ft6ow4d although sd.
beelnhlearfgree—iYs
was generally asked yesterday.—E. Bell's Circular.