The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-29 00:00:00

CYCLORAMA.

The thrilling and life-like depiction of the fearful
earthquake at Lisbon, which, two centuries ago, laid
this famous city in ruins, continues to excite the most
intense interest in its numerous visitors.

HUNGERFORD HALL.
The diorama at this new place of amusement con-
tains three views, by M. Bouton, of the overflowing
of the river of the Loire, the town and valley of Fri-
bourg, and the Cathedral of St. Mark at Venice.
The reputation of M. Bouton has been so long esta-
blished in connection with the marvellous pictorial
representations which, for a long series of years, have
rendered the Diorama in the Regent's park one of
the most deservedly attractive places of amusement in
the metropolis, that we have merely to state that the
pictures in this diorama are fully equal to any that
have proceeded from his pencil. The change from
summer to winter in the picture of Fribourg is one of
the most clever and perfect illusions we have ever
seen. In the evening M. Langlois exhibits his won-
derful sleight of hand—his surprising mechanical
rope. dancer—and the Indian juggler, Djalma, in one
theatre; and M. Lassange, assisted by Mademoiselle
Prudence, in another theatre, the mysteries of mes-
tuerism. We trust that our holiday friends will pay
a visit to this interesting place of amusement.

SOIREES PARISIENNES ET FANTAS-
TIQUES.
Having jest returned from the land of magic, we
feel in that condition peculiar to travellers, of being
expected to relate most wonderful things, when, in
fact, we admit our total incapability to discharge the
allotted task. Why should we resort to the long list
of adjectives in all their degrees to assist us in the
description of things indescribable ? Nor can we
institute comparisons, like the travelled Cockney who
declares that " the Pyramids were grander-like than
:he Thames, though not much." If a man should see
a ghost be says he has seen a ghost, and that is suffi-
cient for his hearers, unless some prying individual
may demand what it was like. Here definition ceases.
So it is with Mons. Robin. We have been for some

time which we cannot undertake to limit sitting in his
salle, at Piccadilly, but wonder has so usurped
the seat of reason that we feel totally at a
loss to say what Mona. Robin is like—not
Mons. Robin propria persona, but Mons. Robin as
professeur de physique. How can we describe the
winning grace with which the mighty conjuror bor-
rowed a lady's ring—how he crushed it with the
greatest nonchalance as a worthless bauble, to the die-
may of its ,fair owner, and how, by the magic touch,
be transferred it in its integrity with an integrity
peculiar to conjurors. How can we convey the
faintest idea of the mode in which Madame Robin,
blindfolded, enumerated every article in the room, or
how the wonderful peacock became endowed with a
sence which naturalists
.deny to the bird. Probably
the best thing we can say is pay a visit to Mons.
Robin, and he will instruct you far better than we can
—may be he will shower on you from an empty hat
his boquets, his bijouterie, and bis bonbons, and may be
you will be fortunate enough to obtain one. This night
there was an entire change in the performances and
" more novelties," amongst which may be enumerated
the appearance for the first time of the celebrated Dia-
volo Antonio. We feel somewhat endued with the
love of mystery—a consequence of our visit, so
we will not state who or what Diavolo Antonio is.
Suffice it to say, that from his attitudes, his move-
ments, and his passes, we should regard him as human,
if there could possibly be anything human id such a
performance. We are glad to perceive that Mons.
Robin's efforts to promote hilarity at this festive
season were on this occasion crowned with the best
success, evidenced in a house full of people and enjoy-
ment. His entertainment is one of the most amusing
in the metropolis, and we can heartily recommend
our readers to pay it a visit. We are sorry to detract,
in the least degree, from the praise the entertainment
merits, but we must protest against the charge of six.
pence for a programme being demanded in this age
of cheap literature. Mons. Robin is a wonderful sor-
cerer—cannot he convert a sixpence into a penny ?

TAB QUARTER'S Ravms.—A correspondent of a
Morning Paper says—" There must be a considerable falling
off in the revenue for the quarter ending the sth January as
compared with former years, as far as direct taxation is con-
cerned, and also in the quarter ending on the sth April next,
and no doubt a great deal will be made of it by the Protec-
tionist press. Let your readers know the reason of it. The
first moiety of the repealed window-tax has heretofore come
into the account of this quarter. This is all gone, except the
small portion which has been left in arrear since the last half
year's payment in April. The new assessment for the year's
house duty, from April, 1851, to April, 1852, is not yet in
operation, and not a single shilling of it will be paid in the
account f the ensuing quarter, ending sth January, 1852.
The delay in passing the Property and Income-tax Act in
the last session has prevented the accounts being made out
by a new assessment for the year at the usual time, and there
will, therefore, doubtless be a considerable deficiency in the
Property and Income-tax payments into the Exchequer for
the ensuing quarter. Let Reformers remember this, that
they may be prepared when the quarterly and yearly account
is shown on the 6th January, and be at the same time ready
to explain the cause of the deficiency.
LORD PALMERSTON.—The Queen's Government
has lost the services of an administrator, of abilities recog-
nised and admired by all, friend and foe alike, combining
qualifications seldom united in the same man—application,
industry the most patient and laborious—debating powers
the most varied and the most brilliant—temper impertur-
bable, courage dauntless, withal forbearant, and generous in
all his superiorities. Among his opponents he had no enemy.
Sir Robert Peel, in the last speecti he made, which was in
opposition to his policy, cordially expressed the general feel-
ing in the words, " We are all proud of him."—Examiner.

M. GUIZOT INDICTED FOR LITERARY CONSPI-
RACY.—.M. Briere, a publisher, on Thursday last, brought an
action before the civil tribunal against M. Didier, another
publisher, to obtain damages of 75,000 francs for his having
published a work by M. Guizot, called" llistoire des Orignes
du Gouvernement repr6sentatit in Europe" which he al-
leged was only a reproduction of a work by the same authoa,
called " Essais sur l'Histoire de France," of which he had
purchased the copyright in 1828. But the tribunal thought
that the " Essais: were only the reproduction of M. Guizot's
lectures as profesfor, and that the " liistoire des Origines"
was an entirely different work. It accordingly dismissed
the demdnd, and condemned M. Briere ca the costs.—
Galignani.

THE ExmnITION BUILDING.—There are at pre-
sent only four policemen on duty in the entire building. No
idea can yet be formed of the time when the building will be
so far cleared out as to admit the public, but it c,anhot take
place, at all eyenta, for another ',reek.

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