The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-22 00:00:00

BANK OF FRANCE.

PARIS, Feb. 21.

The following is the return of the Bank of France
for the week ending to-day, together with the cor-
responding figures of the previous account
DEBTOR..

Fob. 21. Feb. 14.
fr. c. fr. c.
Capital of the Bank 182,500,000 182,500,000
Profits in addition to
capital (Art. 8, Law,
June 9, 1857) 7,044,776 02 7,044,776 02
Reserve of the Bank
and its branches 22,105,750 14 22,105,750 14
Reserve in landed pro-
perty 4,000,000 4,000,000
Notes in circulation .41,021,843,875 1,037,704,825
Banknotes to order and

receipts payablo at
sight 14,146,870 88 13,520,118 52
Treasury account cur-
rent creditor
Current accounts, Paris 241,250,095 83 231,036,814 72
Do. branch banks
Dividends payable 1,820,592 75 2,063,283 75
Discounts and sundry
interests
Rediscounted the last
six months
Surplus of receipts not

distributed _
--- -
Sundries

Total
CREDITOR.
Feb. 21. Feb. 14.
Cash in hand and in fr. c. fr. c.
Branch banks
Commercial bills over-
due
Commercial bills dis-
counted, not yet due 286,767,742 305,695,019 89
Do. branch banks 303,334,666 316,055,043
Advances on deposit of
bullion
Do. branch banks 8,778,700 8,726,900
Do. on French Public
Securities 13,631,200 13,614,600
Do. by branch banks 7,279,000 7,357,400
Do. on railway shares
and debentures
D. branch banks 25,802,650 25,901,830
Do. on Credit Fencier

716,000 725,180
Do. branches
Do. to the State (Con-
vention, Juno 10,
1857) 60,000,000 60,000,000
Government Stock ro-
serve 12,980,750 14 12,980,750 14
Do. disposable
Routes ImmobalisJos
(Law, Juno 2, 1857) 100,000,000 100,000,000
otel and furniture of
the Bank and landed
property branches
Expenses of manage-
ment 263,716 28 263,705 93
Sundries

Total 1,675,386,038 30 1,685,403,207 41
Certified by the Senator Governor of tho Bank of France.
(Signed) IIouLAND.

Messrs. Defries' New Show Rooms.

The Messrs. Defries havit:g completed the restoration
of their premises in llcundsditch, which were destroyed
by fire about a year ago, they specially invited a few
friends on Wednesday evening to inspect the new building
and its contents. To give even a brief description of the
matchless collection in the vast establishment, rivalling in
brilliancy, we should imagine, the abode of the genii of
Aladdin's lamp, one is almost bewildered at which point
to commence. Taking, however, the first striking object
that attracts attention on entering the splendid new sho w
room—the gigantic crystal jewelled candelabrum manu-
factured for his Highness the N izam of the Deccan, we have
no hesitation in saying a more splendid specimen of British
workmanship has never emanated from any establishment
in the kingdom. It is in height about 20 feet, of a soxagon
shape, the base of which is formed of a row of richly cut
diamond prisms, followed by immense pieces of solid
crystal, out of which are cut large mitre diamond knobs ;
just above are inserted large jewels of various coloured
glass, producing a most tasteful and brilliant effect.
The main shaft of the candelabrum, is elaborately
cut, in unison with the ornamental charac-
ter of this beautiful structure in glass, but the
masterpiece of skill in crystal manufacture is the great
bowl, 26in. in diameter, the cutting in which is irre-
proachable for boldness, beauty, and execution. The two
tiers of arms are constructed of coloured crystal,
and the whole is surmounted by the Royal Crown
of England sparkling with diamonds. Such a
specimen of art wo have never seen before, and
on its arrival in India it cannot but heighten
the already great reputation of the eminent firm by which
it has been produced. In the splendid room in which this
matchless production stands are countless sets of table
glass of the most exquisite shape and form. Here may be
seen decanters and wine-glasses of every conceivable pat-
tern, glass dishes and stems covered with bouquets and
wreaths of artificial flowers, vases, jewelled wine glasses,
lustres, dessert services, and all the incidental requisites
for use and grandeur in the salon and the banqueting-
room. The tout ensemble is as perfect as it is unique, and
through the agency of natural and artificial lights, reveals
as attractive a show as novelty could suggest and art accom-
pish. Rooms aro also devoted to glass furniture, so that every
facility is afforded to the purchaser who requires a lamp
for the hall, the table, or the passage; a chandelier for the
drawing-room, the dining-room, the boudoir, or the vesti-
bule ; a lamp for railway or roadway carriages ; nor is it
only in the variety of the articles, but in the strictly clas-
sical taste, which in bronze, ormolu, crystal, or any other
material in which they aro executed—Venetian or Corin-
thian, Italian or Grecian, the purchaser can make his op-
tion ; or, if he requires some speciality of his own
design, he has but to show that design, and an
artist is at his elbow to take instructions. He will
have to the very line and dimensions in reality that
which he has contemplated, in harmony with the
oak, Gothic, or Iledimval furniture of his home.
A very important. patented invention was also submitted
to the notice of the visitors ; it was the new arrangement
of footlights for the stage. In this novelty there are many
circumstances that contribute to render it an improvement
of the highest order, in primis those painfully shocking
accidents, so frequently recorded in the columns of our
journal, cannot possibly occur with this system of light-
ing ; the flame being completely shielded from the actors
and actresses, and, by the same means which obviates the
slightest chance of accident, the unpleasant heat, the
annoying glare and flickering, attendant upon the old
system, are entirely dispensed with, there being a most
perfect mode of ventilation, which is also a most
important consideration, conducive as it is to the
health, comfort, and convenience of the actors,
the members of the orchestra, and the audience.

The novelty and effectiveness of the lighting by this most
uveful invention is truly effective ; the body of the flame
being regulated by a touch, according to the brilliancy re-
quired, and light, in every variety of colour, can be thrown
upon the stage by a cylindrical movement of the glass
mediums ; the float itself rising but three inches above the
rake of the stago,offers not the slightest obstruction to the
view, and by the use of the fish-tail, instead of the more
expensive argand burner, a saving of not less than
50 per cent. is effected in the consumption of gas, and
there are no chimney glasses to be constantly broken
The Lord Chamberlain has expressed his intention of
inspecting the new invention, which doubtless in a short
time will be generally adopted in all theatres, both at home
and abroad. We were favoured with a view of the Messrs.
Defries's contribution to the Paris Exhibition, which for
costliness, magnificence, and taste exceeds anything that
has hitherto been displayed.