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

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

This institution, which has for 20 years amused and
ir.structed 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 views 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 1-Terdemain were much admired, and bad this
advantage, that while wonder was excited in the first
stance, a clear explanation followed which almost quali-
fied the audience to become future conjuror on their own
account. In addition to these attractions, an interest-
ing, lecture was given by Mr. Pepper on several reoent
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
fall share of public patronage.

WILLIS'S ROOMS.—"It never rains but it pours,'
says the old proverb • and the adage seems to be as true
of magicas 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 adwf.
ration not only by neatness of execution, but also by
novelty and ingenuity of conception.
His Excellency Ferukh Khan, Persian Envoy Extre-
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 Globe in Leicester-square,
returning afterwards to Claridge's Hotel to dinner.
The Duke and Duchess of Wellington have returned
to Apiley 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
leave England 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
Dufferini at Dufferin Lodge, Highgate.
The Earl Beauchamp and Lord and Lady Raglan are
passing the season at Madresfield Corot, 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
from 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 Ailesbnry, the Earl and Connteas'of
Granville, Viscount and Viscountess Somerton, the
Right Hon. Henry Fitzroy, 11,p., the Right Hon. H.
T. L.. Corry, M.P.' Sir Geo. Bowles, Count Strzelecki,
Mr. Gerard Start, M.P., Mr. Sneyd, ace.
lbe directors of the Lyons railway have pieced in the
.tation of Perrache in ttat c:ty a clock which indicates
the time both at Paris and Lyons, that in the latter city
being 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
t 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 wbo had waited upon the ironmasters at
Wolverhampton on the previous day to report to the
men the result of their interview, William Caswe 1 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
must 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
cemplaints 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 tohavewta4beadooppptoerdt,unanitdy
of t nowing at all times when wages might be (K-
-pected to be reduced and when they might fairly
demand higher prices. The motion
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
piasters, the meeting then separated in a quiet manner.
Yesterday morning numerous groups of the turn-outs
lounged about the streets at Bilston and at Willenhar,
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 rewe 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 ruay, therefore, be presumed that
the 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.
Woleerhampton Citronivle, of yesterday.
WAGES OF COLLIERS.—Oa Monday, in pursuance of
a nescletion passed at a colliers' meeting at Willenhall,
last week, a deputation of four colliers mot the chair-
man and secretary, Mr. Philip Williams and Mr.
John Hartley, of the iron trade, respecting the ques-
tion of wages, at the Swan Hotel, Wolverhampton.
The Earl of Dartmouth, Colonel Hogg, chief constable
of Staffordshire, and Mr. Southern, ground bailiff
to Mr. Williams, wore 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. The note had been addressed to him alone, but he
had invited the Earl of Dartmouth and the other gentle-
ne-n to be present. The deputation said they wished to
invite three other employers, Messrs. Blackwell, 13 ig-
nen, and Therneycroft, but they did not know their
ad aeltees. Wilton Creeswell, one of the deputation,
after some exelametione, and offering to postpone tbo
interview, so as to have more masters present, handed
cafl aloud.
tiou of wages an unjust one, looking at the prices of
ar ttohttit,hea
colliersChairru
Chairman,
the present reduc-
o but tics" in adding to their (tents, and working them
from 6 a m. to 2 p.m. for half a clay, and other things.
provisions. Tney
Al fortnight ego, they received notice of a reduction
complained of which
he
ocroapsresrseiaoill
of 6,1. a day ; and they wished this reduction not
to b made, They also cm:II3;3,IMM of the butties
compelling them to spend part of their wages in
drink. Mr. Williams and Mr. Hartley said it
Wai imooeeible, if the masters were to pay their
way and anpete will other districts, for them to give
'Hasa us rates oaf wages. Mr. Williaani read a !utter he
had received that morning from London, as follows :
" As regards a reduction, I wish with all my heart that
you exals remain as you are, but with %Voisin bars at 61.
and no buyers, I do not see how it is possible for Staf-
fordehire to remain stationary. I can assure you that a
reduction of 21. per ton is mere widely advoetted end
x•o-oted than I coald have believed if I had not heard
it. For. !nye lf, lam utterly opposed to it, as it would
lead to the wildest speculatioa, which would punish us
herealt2r. I repeat my regret that even a 20s. reduction
appealrs to be inevitable. 'There is nothing doing ; people
will not buy at any price, even though we offer (as we
have done for weeks pact) subject to quarter day." Lord
Dartmouth and these two gentlemen, however, strongly
reprobated the butties interfering with the colliers in
spending their money, arid promised that all should be
done to put an end to this. The deputation then received
Is. each, and withdrew.—Manehestcs „
a,.desos.