The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-24 00:00:00

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

This institution, which has for 20 years amused and
instructed the public, produces for the entertainment of
the holiday folk a list of novelties of much attraction. A
private view of the Christmas entertainments was given
last evening, and elicited the most unqualified approba-
tion. In addition to the dissolving 'iews of scenes in
India during the mutiny, a new musical entertainment,
one of considerable merit, by Mr. Cooper, entitled
" Home for the Holidays," was given, which was fol.
lowed by some very remarkable phantasmagorical
illusions. Mr. Malcolm's experiments in natural magic
and legerdemain were much almired, and had this
advantage, that while wonder was excited in the first
stance, a clear explanation followed which almost qoali-
fied the audience to become future conjuror on their own
account. In additioi to these attractions, an interest-
ing lecture was given by Mr. Pepper on several recent
inventions amongst which perhaps the most generally
generally interesting and useful were M. Soyer's
Scutari teapot, and Mr. Stephen's machine for making
bread. Our young friends will be delighted to hear
that a grand Christmas tree has been prepared for their
especial enjoyment, of the varied contents of which
they will be allowed to partake, on the morning and
evening of the 31st inst. Upon the whole, we can with
confidence say that the entertainments at the Poly•
technic are of a description to uphold the popular
character of the institution, and to challenge for it its
full share of public patronage.

WILLIB's Rdoms.—"lt never rains but it pours,'
says the old proverb ; and the adage seems to be as true
of magical of meteorology. Scarcely has the public had
time to recover from its amazement at the marvellous
achievements of Professor Frikell, when a new magician
arises in the person of the Cavaliers Antonio Poletti,
who, " having performed with the greatest success at
the principal courts of Europe," gave last night a private
representation of wonderful effects, with and without
apparatus. His feats of legerdemain, of which we shall
probably speak at greater length on a future occasion,
are done with rapidity and expertness, and claim adin!*
ration not only by neatness of execution, but also by
novelty and ingenuity of conception.
His Excellency Ferukh Khan, Persian Envoy Extra.
ordinary, paid farewell visits yesterday to their Royal
Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess
Mary, the French Ambassador, and the Turkish Ambas-
sador. Later in the afternoon his excellency went to
see the exhibition of the GUbe in Leicester-square,
returning afterwards to 'Claridge's Hotel to dinner.
The Duke and Duchess of Wellington have returned
to Apsley House from Strathfieldsaye, where they have
been entertaining company for some time past. They
will pass the Christmas holidays at Hatfield House.
The Duchess Dowager of Norfolk comes to town
to-day from a tour of visits.
The Earl and Countess of Mulgrave leave town to-day
for Newton House, Bedale, Yorkshire, on a visit to the
Dowager Duchess of Cleveland. The noble earl will
Lave E❑gland on the 29th of next month for the seat of
his new Government.
The Earl of Gifford and Lord John Hay have left
Strathfieldsaye, and are now staying on a visit with Lady
Dufferin, at Dufferin Lodge, Highgate.
The Earl Beauchamp and Lord and Lady Raglan are
passing the season at Madresfield Court, Worcestershire.
Lord and Lady Harry Vane have left town on a visit
to the Earl and Countess Stanhope, at Chevening Park,
Kent.

Lori and Lady Arthur Hay have returned to town
'min visiting the Duke and Duchess of Wellington at
Strathfieldsaye.
The Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, M.P., and Mrs.
Herbert are entertaining a succession of company at
Wilton House. The following have been among the
guests :—The Marquis and Marchioness of Ailesbury,
Maria Marchioness of Ailesbury, the Earl and Countess'of
Granville, Viscount and Viscountess Somerton, , the
Right Hon. Henry Fitzroy, M.P., the Right Hon. H.
T. L. Corry, M.P. Sir Geo. Bowleg, Count Strzelecki,
Mr. Gerard Sturt, Mr. Sneyd, &e.
'She dircotors of the Lyons railway have phoed in the
•tation of Perrache in that city a clock which indicates
the time both at l'eris and Lyons, that in the latter city
'mini, 6 minutes and a fraction in advance. It is sug-
gested that the same might be adopted with advantage
at the extremity of all the great railways, the time at
Marseilles, Turin, Cologne, &c., being of course diffe-
rent from that of Paris. In all the great railway stations
f the United States there are clocks which indicate the
time in all the great cities of the United States.
COLLIERS' WAGES IN SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE.—A
meeting of miners took place in a club-room, in Hall-
street, Willenhall, on Tuesday afternoon, to enable the
deputation who had waited upon the ironmasters at
Wolverhampton on the previous day to report to the
men the result of their interview. William Case e I was
in the chair. William Dodd, one of the deputation, read
a report of what took place between the deputation and
Messrs. Williams and Hartley and the Earl of Dart-
mouth, on Monday. The chairman then recommended
the miners, under the circumstances, to return to work.
Iron, he said, had been reduced in price, and the miners
mu.t submit to occurrences. The masters had met the
deputation fairly, and had promised that if their men
laboured under any grievance, they would try to redress
it. A miner, named Platt, moved the appointment of
a committee who should sit permanently and receive all
complaints from their fellow-workmen ; that a room
should be taken where the newspapers could be read,
and the price of iron and the value of labour ascertained ;
and that if the masters attempted to reduce them until
a reduction took place in the price of iron they should
strike. The meeting seemed disposed to meet the
masters fairly ; but wished to have the opportunity
of Inewing at all times when wages might be EK
pected to be reduced and when they might fairly
demand higher prices. The motion was adopted, and
thirteen colliers were nominated members of the com-
mittee. A second resolution was passed that the miners
should quietly return to work. A vote of thanks
having been passed to the deputation and also to the
masters, the meeting then separated in a quiet manner.
Yesterday morning numerous groups of the turn-outs
lounged about the streets at Bilston and at Willeehall,
and some fears were entertained that ere the close of the
day some disturbance might be attempted. But such
does not appear to have been the purpose of the men.
About midday they began to congregate at Willenhall.
As many as could obtain admission to the room in which
the meeting was held attended it; the others patiently
waited outside, and on hearing the result (that the meet-
ing decided to adopt the recommendation of the deputa-
tion, and return to work at the reduced rate of wages),
quietly dispersed. It may, therefore, be presumed that
toe threatened " strike" is at an end ; and for the sake
of the men, as well as the welfare of the district, we
rejoice that it, is so, feeling satisfied that if in the present
state of affairs they had determined on "standing out,"
as it is called, they would have had to endure much
suffering, without in any way improving their position.
IVolverltampton Chronicle, of yesterday.
WAGES OF COLLIERS.—On Monday, in pursuance of
a resolution passed at a colliers' meeting at Willenhall,
List week, a deputation of four colliers met the chair-
man and secretary, Mr. Philip Wil!iams and Mr.
John Hartley, of the iron trade, respecting the ques-
tion of wages, at the Swan Rotel, Wolverhampton.
The E irl of Dartmouth, Colonel Hogg, chief constable
of Staffordshire, and Mr. Southern, ground bailiff
to Mr. Williams, were also present. The chairman
said he believed the masters were as willing
as himself to meet a deputation of the men, and hear
their statements as to any grievance or supposed griev-
ance. Tile note had been addressed to him alone, but he
had invited the E srl of Dattetiouth and the other gentle-
nt-n to he present. The deputation said they wished to
invite three other employers, Messrs. Blackwell, Bag-
nall, and Thorney croft, but they did not know their
ad lreasee. William Crises well, one of the deputation,
alter some exelaeations, and offering to postpone the
interview, so as to have more masters present, handed
a note to the Chairman, which was read aloud.
It stated that the colliers considered the present reduc-
tion of wages an unjust one, looking at the prices of
provieione. They complained of the oppression of the
" butties" in adding to their itents, and working them
from 6 a tn. to 2 p.m. fur half a day, and other things.
A. fertuight ago, they received notice of a reduction
of 61. a da and they wished this reduction not
,to b made. They also meplained of the but ties
compelling them to spend part of their waves in
yi
drink. Mr. Williams and Mr. Hartley said it
was impossible if the masters were to pay their
way and c nipete with other districts, for tbem to gave
previ •us rates of wages. Mr. Williams read a letter be
had received that morning from London, as follows :
" As regards a reduction, I wish with all my heart that
you could remain as you are, but with Welsh bars at 61.
and no buyers, I do not see how it is possible for Staf-
fordshire t ) remain stationary. I can aesuro you that a
reduction of 2/. per ton is mere widely advocated and
ex iected than I could have believed if I bad not heard
ie. For mys .If, lam utterly opposed to it, as it would
lead to the wildest speculation, which would punish ns
herea3er. I repeat my regret that even a 2054 reduction
appears to be inevitable. There is nothing doing ; people
will not buy at any price, even though we offer (as we
have doe., for weeks pact) subject to quarter day." Lard
Dartineuth and these two gentlemen, however,
reprobated the butties interfering with the colliers in
spending their money, and promised that all should be
d The
one to put an end to this.strongly
deputation then received
is. each, and withdrew.—Matchejeci• augraian.