The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-22 00:00:00

THE POLYTECLINIC INSTITUTION.

The inauspicious state of the weather appears to
have less influence on the numbers by which this
place is visited than on the numbers by which other
exhibitions are attended. Yesterday, notwithstanding
the incessant rain, the galleries were crowded with
the curious, and with a class of persons who are
somewhat beyond the common sight-seekers. Within
these few weeks, during which the institution has
been closed for the purposes of renovation and pre-
paration for the present season, improvements have
been made by the proprietary, both in the arrange-
ment of the numerous things exhibited and by the
introduction of novelties. Many new subjects have
been introduced on which lectures are given, and the
apparatus to illustrate the scientific department has
been considerably enlarged. A number of models of
machines of recent invention has been brought for-
wald, and in addition to the more technical ar-
rangements for scientific instruction, dissolving
views, painted by Mr. C. Smith, have been intro-
dtied.. The more minute department of the models,
specimens of manufacture and works of art, have also
been attended to with considerable care, and among
these are, not the least praiseworthy, the seal-engrav-
ings of Mr. Giffard, who has cut three very exqui•
site representations of animals—a lion, mountain
goat, and elephant, upon cornelians. The great no-
velty is, however, the table and pendulum, similar to
that exhibited at Paris, by which M. Foucault's ex-
periment demonstrates the rotation of the earth. This
demonstration and the explanation of Dr. Bachhoffner
excited considerable interest, and is certainly worth
the attention of everybody by whom
scie
The
re
spec Inc)
ted and simplicity of proof admired. whole-
interior of the building is now in the best possible
order, and every accommodation is afforded to visitors.

THE COLOSSEUM.
The proprietors of this elegant place of exhibition
and rational amusement have very judicioußly
opened their season by the restoration within the
dome of the edifice of the celebrated " Picture of
London," by Mr. E. T. Paris, painted from original
sketches taken by Mr. Horner in 1825, from the
cross of St. Paul's Cathedral. It is unnecessary to
several
give any critical opinion of the merits of this extra-
ordinary production. At the time of its first exhi-
bition it received almost unqualified praise fro very
competent judges, and the public patronage ofm
and
years confirmed the justice of what was then said.
It has received such retouches as it required,
will, in the approaching spring and suiruner be as
attractive, especially to the foreign and provincial
visitors to the metropolis, as it was to the Lon-
doners themselves when first exhibited. In addi-
tion to this picture there is the view of Paris by
moonlight, a very beautiful and correct represen-
tation
of that capital, in which some of the pie_
torial illusions are surprising. The museum of
sculpture has been extended by some alterations
and additions, the conservatories are in excellentls
order, the models of mines, caverns, and the vari-
ous views of ruins are as full of interest as ever, and,
indeed, the whole of the arrangements are in the best
taste. The place was visited in the coarse of the day
by a large number of persons, although the drawback
of rain and wind prevented so
good an attendance as
it deserved. _ ,