The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-15 00:00:00

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

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The holiday attendance at this magnifiz Ki a....i
of science an 1 art continues still to extra ' ----*, vl
multitude of visitors that of any previouss ' '''-.?' ...
4
the first opening of the institution. Whit* oss,
.":1::7'".
proportionate increase in the numbed; 'f- 'l*.t*:... •
~...,:.1
wealthier classes who frequent its nobler/11 rs ai4l4 ‘. 1
theatres, the crowds of people of humbler ti ;arhci.:ix pis 4 ,-
t
.i.fiti4 ‘-).,.. j , 'l'l
now flock hither to enjoy that unexample
• _...---
tion cf the delightful and instructive, whi 0
in every part of the entertainments, is unu
large, and we frequently hear this remark made
amongst the more observing groups : " The taste of
the people
night,"
pleisdecidedly improving." Indeed, on
“
and irfthe early holidays succeeding,
it was pleasant to see the numerous parties cf young
lade, evidently cf the class whom one might suppose
more likely to relish three-penn'orth of the panto-
mime from the upper gallery of a minor theatre,
eagerly seeking the refined pleasures of the Pol.) -
tecnic at a cost so much greater, that the difference
must be to them a matter of some consideration. The
series of lectures now in course of delivery by the
several professors are admirably suited to the season.
Peculiarly attractive and instructive to the young
and uninformed, they are highly interesting to the
more advanced in years and knowledge. Dr.
Bachhoffner's beautiful discourses on the phi.
lusophy of sciensific recreation, illustrated
by curious and striking experiments, serve
this purpose with singular elect, and the dissolving
views, especially those illustrative of ancient Lon-
don, are exceedingly efficient to the same end. The
varied lectures on chemistry and natural philosophy
are, as usual, skilfully adapted not only to what is
called familiarly popular instruction, not only to the
information of enlightened minds, but to the eleva-
tion of the less inf4rmed, who are enlightened only
when they come to be entertained. The explana-
tions of the numerous models in every department of
mechanical art and practical philosophy, daily deli-
vered by Mr. Crh3ps, are in a high degree worthy
the attention of every visitor. To the various speci-
mens of ingenuity in the arts of invention there have
recently been added some of an exceedingly curious
and interesting improvement in the manufacture of
cloth, and in what is now-a•days called the " Science
of Costume," more plainly the art of tailoring. The
invention consists, firstly, of a new method of weaving,
by which a cloth is produced with two perfectly
finished faces, each of a different colour and design,
the shades of one side not in the slightest degree
affecting the pure colour of the other, however great
may be the contrast. This bi-coloured prodigy is
produced in woven fabrics of every description,
woollen, silk, or cotton, plain and figured—plain on
one side, coloured on the other, and so on. The in-
vention consists, secondly, of that which both startles
and amuses every one who examines those specimens,
such an improvement in constructive tailoring as
produces two complete and exquisitely finished gar•
ments, of different colour and fashion, both exqui-
sitely finished in a single fabric ! Thus, you have a
black waistcoat of a plain cut, upon turning which inside
out youpresent (in the same single material) a fancy co•
loured and fancy cut waistcoat, completely and ele-
gantly finished. This is the specimen which we can
make the nearest approach to explain in words ; but
description is wholly inadequate, and the thing must
be seen and examined again and again to be at all
understood. The name given to it by the patentees,
Messrs. Beckall and Powell, is the " Bisunique."
Amongst the specimens exhibited is a very beautiful
mantle or paletot for a lady, black on one side and
grey (for half mourning) on the other, which may be
worn either side out, at option, both aides being su-
perbly finished. It is an object of much attrac-
tion, and is truly elegant. Tne greatest wonder is
the production of a manufacture by which the pa-
radox is effected of two garments of different colours
and fashions in one material. It cannot fail to give,
for a long time, to our manufacturers, a very marked
advantage in the foreign markets. We may not omit
to observe that the diver and diving-bell, and the
submarine explosLms, continue to be as great an at-
traction as ever, at both morning and evening exhibi-
tions. The prosperity of the institution, equalling
its merits, is highly creditable to the public taste, and
highly encouraging to those who desire the elevation
of the people.

THE LATE ACCIDENT ON THE EASTERN COUNTIES.
—An inquest, which occupied a considerable time. t ok
place yesterday, before Mr. Baker, the coroner, at the
Five Bells, Old Ford, Buw, respectng the death z f John
Rodda, aged 32. The circums antes cf the unfoi tat ate
man's death were reported in The Sun of yesterday. He
trespassed on the line to proceed to his empleyment at
Stratfird Works, when he wus inn down by the 8.0
morning train fer Hertfird. olr. Chadwick, in answer
t ) the coroner, stated ti at none but platelayers those
who had business on the permanent way were allowed
to walk along the line Nsethout a pass. The dee( axed had
no such order, thert fire he was a trespasser. The coroner
sad the recent return c f accidents showed the gnat care
that was observed in the railway system Ile had
read in the newspapers that o! 50,000,000 or 60,000,000
passengers, only 29 persons had been killed—of that
number only seven had met their deaths from circum-
.tences which possibly could have been avoided; the re-
mainder of the 29 had lost their lives entirely from their
own imprudence. After some deliberation the jury re-
turned a verdict of "Accidental Death," accompanied
by a recommendation that the company would adopt
every possible measure in preventing the recurrence t f a
similar event by having warning beliefs to trespassers
erected on certain parts of the line. Mr. Chad% ick said
he would lose no titre in laying 0 e recommendation cf
tee jury b( fore the proper authorities.
THE VACANT COLONELCIEr.— Major-General
Douglas Meteor, C.B, and Major-General James Fer-
gusson, C. 8., ate, we hear, on good authority, to have
the t;vo vacant regiments.
GLASGOW, JAN. 12.—Cotton Market.—During the
wet k a pretty fair business has been done in cotton wool,
principally, however, on speculation, in c easrquance of
the confirmed accounts, per Hibernia, of a diminished
crop. Prices have gradually risen, and may now be
quoted id. per lb. over those of last week. Pig Iron.—
In the early part of the a eek the market was in a very
inactivo state, but towards its close a disposition to sell
was evinced, and for mixed Nos. 48s. were accepted.
There has been a good demand for bar iron at prices
varying from 51. 15s. to 6/.
CRICKET ON THE Ica.—A novel and interesting
game was played on Wednesday last, on the canal re-
servoir, in the shape of a match at cricket. The ice
being in beautiful condition for the purpose, some of the
members of the Carlisle Cricket Club determined to
transfer their stumps from the turf to the field of ice, for
a little practice, on skates, of their favourite amusement;
and they accordingly kept up a vigorous contest in this
way for three or four hours. The novelty of the scene
attracted many spectators.—Carlisle Journal.
THE THOROUGHFARE, FENCHURCH-STREET. —A.
correspondent draws our attention to the delay there is
in effecting the long-contemplated opening through the
tower of Sr. Benet's Church, at the south-west corner of
Fenchurch-street, London, and which would enable the
authorities to throw part of the present paths into the
read and so improve the thoroughfare. At a recent
vestry ( f the united parishes of St. Bonet and St
Leonard, Eastcheap, we understand Mr. rAnson's design
fir this undertaking was submitted and approved, and it
was decided, that so soon as the necessary arrangements
were complettd, the work should be proceeded with.--
Builder
PRESERVATION OF ARCHITECTURAL REMAINS
INDIA.—At the Institute of Architects, during a discus-
siGn, Mr. l'Anson suggested that the Government or the
East India Comp any should investigate the architectural
works of India.—Mr. Fowler agreed in the necessity of
the Government or the Company preserving records of
the buildings.—Mr. Godwin sa(01, with reference to this,
that the periodical press in India had become awakened
to the importance of preserving and illustrating the
architectural monuments of the country, and were pres-
sing it upon the Company.—Mr. Fergusson axed that
something had been already done by the Company; but
the late wars bad checked the operations.—Builder.
From the circular addressed by the directors to
the shareholders of the Midland Railway, it appears that
the total sum expended up to the 30th of June last was
15,127,4581., and that the outstanding liabilities and
probable further expenditure are estimated at 770,2401.,
making an aggregate of 15,897,6981., which will be
1,864,461/. below:the total they are authorised to raise
under their Parliamentary Acts. The directors avoid
entering into conjectures as to future dividends, except
in so far as to express a general confidence in the in-
herent value of the line, and in the beneficial results to
be obtained by abandoning the race of competition and
forming mutually advantageous traffic arrangements
with other companies.
yesterday
ASYLUM FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. f
the annual general meeting of the promgesrhsopOsgate•
charity took place at the London Tavern,
l meeting having been
The minutes of the last
genencif the institutioa for the
read and confirmed, the o
street, Mr. Wm. Nottidge, the treasurer, in the chair.
vote of thanks was then
, residuary legsee'3 cf the
passed to Samuel Scott:,
Bart., for his munificent donation
late Sir Samuel Scott, ar
presoot year were electtetid
pounds to the institution, and a resolu-
tion one thousand
Effic,qAe.rsv,:,
of
was adopted electing him one of the vice-presidents
of the charity. The meeting afterwards proceeded to
elect twenty children into the asylum, from a list of
seventy candidates, and the names a the successful can•
didstes were ordered to be advertised in the daily papers.
From the general statement of accounts for the year
1849, it appeared that the receipts (including a balance
in hand of 1,3351. 19s. Bd.) amounted to 10,848/. 15s. 4d.,
and the disbursements to 7,1434 I6s. 7d., leaving •
balance ( f 3,7041. 18s. 9d. Of this sum 2,2911. 17s. 6d.
had been invested in the purchase t f annuities, thus re-
ducing the amount f cash to 1,4131.13.3 d. This report
having been received and adopted, and a vote cf thanks
having been passed to the chairman, the meeting sepa-
ratel.
BIRMINGHAM.—We congratulate our townsmen on
the election of Mr. James Corder to the important and
responsible office of clerk to the guardians of the poor of
this parish, feeling satisfied, from the very efficient
manner in which that gentleman has discharged his
multifarious dot es fir the last four months, that the
guardians have made a wise choice, and that Birming•
ham has secured the services of a tllented and z. alous
officer. Although there were several candidates, Mr.
Coreer's election Ras almost unanimous.-41ris's Bir•
minqharn Gazette.