The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-01 00:00:00

ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

On Saturday evening last we were invited by
the managing director to pay a visit to the above
institution, to witness Mr. Moule's patent process
of taking photographic portraits by artificial light.
The process was explained by Mr. E. V. Gardner,
the professor of chemistry, who was eminently suc-
cessful in his description. He pointed out forcibly
the difference between the luminous rays of the 9
spectrum rand the actinic rays, which latter are ,2
those which exert chemical influence, and are
principally effective in the process of taking por-
traits. Mr. Moule himself-operated, and succeeded
in taking several pictures, the .finish and deli-
cacy of which we have never seen surpassed,
even when taken under the most favourable cir-
cumstances in daylight. The gradations of light
and shade were very artistic, and we are quite
satisfied that the problem of taking photographic
portraits by artificial light is solved, and that ano-
ther step is made in that interesting branch of science.
We had also the pleasure of seeing a new series
of dissolving views, illustrating the forest wilds of
North America, after a series of original paintings,
taken on the spot by Mr. Harvey, member of the
Academy of New York. As works of art they
are excellent, but, in addition to that, they are
exceedingly valuable and interesting, as illus-
trating the nature of the country and giving the
audience a knowledge of the scenery of North
America, which could not be obtained by all the
reading in the world. The certainty of an ultimate
telegraphic communication with America renders
this series of views doubly interesting. Another
novelty was Mr. Williams's clever entertain-
ment, entitled " Musical Sketches of Popular
Composers," in which he gave illustrations of the
Buffo Songs of Mr. John Parry in a style that was
very successful, and which, we are quite sure, will
be duly appreciated by the public. The classes
at this Institution on Chemistry, Latin, French,
Physics, and other subjects are well attended.
The laboratory has been entirely re-organised
and refitted, and is now under the direction of Mr.
E. V. Gardner, the Professor of Chemistry, who
has a large class in attendance. The furnaces for
assaying, and all the other requirements of an
operative laboratory, are there in perfection.
The Natural Philosophy department is attended
to by Mr. J. L. King with great success, and
whose lecture on the Atlantic Telegraph is one
of great interest at the present moment. In ad-
dition to other arrangements, we are glad to
learn that Mr. Lennox Horne had been engaged,
and will shortly make his appearance as one of the
lecturers of the institution, when, we have no doubt,
his talent for humorous description will be fully
appreciated. Many novelties are in preparation
for Christmas ; amongst others, a most interesting
series of dissolving views, illustrating the adven-
tures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. The
Museum of Domestic Economy, collected by Mr.
Twining, is now so far complete as to afford the
public ample information as to how best to
procure all the necessities of life at the most
reasonable cost. This is a truly valuable addi-
tion to the Institution. In conjunction with
this Museum, Messrs. Silver and Co. have fitted
up a first-class and second-class emigrants' cabin,
with all the requisites for a voyage. They have
also fitted up a furnished home for emigrants abroad.
There is also a very curious clock, which keeps
regular time without any visible mode of propul-
sion. The mechanical models, illustrating im-
provements from the earliest periods, are now in
motion, and form an interesting and important
feature in the exhibition. The whole institution
shows a greatly improved appearance, and the en
trance hall especially presents an elegant approach
to the whole establishment.