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

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTI
_.. _

-Lie holiday attendance at this magniFcent tezp:e
of science and art continues still to exceed in the
multitude of visitors that of any previous season since
the first opening of the institution. WUlst there is a
proportionate incre.ae in the nuinbe.:s of the
wealthier classes who frequent its noble hill and
theatre?, the crowds of people of humbler station who
now flock hither to enjoy that unexampled combina-
tion cf the delightful and instructive, which prevails
in every part of the entertainments, is
large, and we frequently hear this remark made
amongst the more observing groups : " The taste of
"Boxing night,"
the p.eople. is decidedly improving." Indeed, on
and in the early holidays succeeding,
it was pleasant to see the numerous parties el' 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,
eager!y seeking the reflat d pleasures of the Poly-
technic at a cost 1.-o much greater, that the differ
must be to them a matter of some consideration.
The
series of lectures now in course of delivery by the
several professors are. admirably suitcid to the season.
interesting to the
Peculiarly attractive and instructive to the young
and uninformed, they. are highly
more advanced in
.years . and knowledge. Dr.
Bachhoffner's beautiful discourses on the phi-
losophy of scientific recreation, illustrated
by curious and striking experiments, serve
this purpose with singular eilect 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 informed, 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. Cripps, 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 aplain 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 sides being su-
perbly finished. It is an object of much attrac-
tion, and is truly elegant. The 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 explosions, continue to be as great an at-
traction as ever, at both morning and evening exhi▪ bi-
tions. The prosperity of the institution, equalli▪
ng
its merits, is highly creditable to the public taste, and
highly encouraging to those who desire the elevati▪
on
of the people.

THE LATE ACCIDENT ON THE EASTERN COUNTIES.
—An inquest, which occupied a considetai.de time, tlok
plaza yesterday, before Mr. Barker, the coroner, at the
Five Bells, Old Ford, Bow, respecting the death of John
Rodda, n;ed 32. The cireums'ances f the unfortunate
Iran's death were reported in The Sun tf yotrday. He
trespassed on the line to proceed to his employment at
atfird Works, when he wus run down by the 8.0
morning train f.,r 11-id:rd. Mr. Ct adwick, in answer
t ) the coroner, kt ited tt at none but platelayers aad those
who had hu.,iness on the permanet t way were allowed
alk along the line with9ut a pass. The deer a.;ed had
no such order, then Lao he was a trespasser. Tne coroner
sad the recet.t return. of accidet ti showed the gr( at care
that was observed in the railway system Bo had
read in th: newspnp,Ts that of 50,000,000 or 60,000,000
passengers, only 29 persons had been killed—of that
number t-nly seven had met tht it der from eireum-
,t inces which possibly could have been avoided; the re-
wait:der of the 29 had lost their lives entirely from their
ovt n impru,knc,. AL, r some deliberation tho jury re-
turned u tordict r t "Accidental Death," accompanied
by a recommit ncldtion that the company would adopt
every possible mt.astne in preventing the recurrence of a
similar event by having wlreing Mar.'s to treTassers
erected on ctrtain cif the line. Mr. Chadwick said
he would lose no titr e in laying ti c recommendation cf
tie jury lot fire the proper authorities.
THE VACANT COLONEICIEr.— Major-General
Douglas Monte-, C.B, and Major-General James Fer-
gusson, C. 8., a; e, we hear, on good auth''rity, to have
the t vo vacant regiments.

GLASGOW, JAN. 12.—Cotton Market.—Daring the
wee k a pretty fair business has been done in cotton wool,
principally, however, on speculation, in c ,nsn (pence of
the confirmed eccounts, per Hibernia, of a diminished
crop. Prices have gradually risen, and may now ba
quoted d. per lb. over those ( f last week. Pig Iron.—
la the early part of the s(eek the market was in a very
inactive state, but towards its close a disposition to sell
was evinced, and far mixed Nos. 48s. were accepted.
There has Loci a good eemand far bar iron at prices
varying f.om 5/. 15e. to 6!.

CRICKET ON THE IcE.—A novel and interesting
game was played on Wednesday last, on the canal rt.
servoir, in the shape of a mown at cricket. The ice
being in beautiful condition fur the purpos,?, some of the
members of the Carlisle Cricket Club determined to
transfer their stumps from the turf to the field of ice, f
a little practice, on skates, of their favourite amusement;
and they accordingly kept up a vigur.)us contest in this
way for three or four hours. The novelty of the scene
attracted many spectators.--Carlisk Jou, nal.
THE THOROUGHFARE, FRNCHURCH-STREET. A
correspondent draws our attention to the delay there is
in effecting the long-contemplated opening through the
tower of B'. Benet's Church, at the south-west corner of
Fenchurch-strte., London, and which would enable the
authorities to throw l art of the present paths into the
rial and so improve the thoroughf4re. At a recent
vestry t f the united parishes t f St. Benet and tit
Leonard, Eastehear, we understand Mr. I'Anson's design
f this undtrtaking was submitted arid approved, and it
was deciderl, that so sewn as the neceszav arrangements
were complettd, the work should be proceeded with.—
Builder
PRESERVATION OF ARCHITECTURAL REMAINS IN

INDIA.—At the Institute of Architects, cloth g a discus-
si,n, Mr. l'Ati*on ,ugge3ted tat the Government or the
Eav India Conalaly should investigate the architectural
y
works of India.—Mr. Fowler agreed la the eeessity of
the Government or the Company pre erving r,-cords of
the buildiugv.—Mr. Godwin rail, with ri fcrei ca to this,
that the periodical press in India had become a akened
to the importance of preserving ai4l illustrating the
architectural monuments t f the country, and were pies-
sing it upon the Company.—Mr. Fergusson s•wed that
soratthing had b: ea already done by the Compny; but
the late w are had checked the operationr.—Builder.
From the circular addressed by the directors to
the shareholders of the Midland Railway, it i:.ppeara that
the total sum expanded up to the 30th of June last was
15,127,458/., and that the outstanding debilities and
probable further expenditure are estimated at 770,2401.,
making an aggregate of 15,897,6981., whick will be
1,864,461/. below the total they are authorised to raised
under their Parliamentary Acts. The directors avoid
entering into conjectures as to future dividends,. theexcept in in so far as to express a general. confidence
fi'el in
to
in-
herent value of the, line, and in the e
tie obtained by abandoningadva
forming mutually .
with other companies.
DUMB. Yesterday
ntvgtheeoursacterabotti competitionacirra gcm earlatds
ASYLUM FOR THE DEAF AND
th
ro t
the annual ,eaeral westing of p e.t.a this
kWprifa.ctilL'he last general nice'
oatttidihgee,Lt'hnedetn, era satvi cr•ru,' ill''thhuePecgl:ta
...Ink having been
read and confirmed, the officers of the lastltutiosi fur the
t ~ear were elected. A vote of thanks was then
presou
passed to bantuel Scott, E q., residuary lega•e3 of the
ate Sir Samuel Scott, Bart., for his munificent donation
Thesctiere inittliMntuortoes
of one thousand pounds to the institution, and a resolu-
tion was adopted electing him one of the siee-presidents
f the charity. The meeting bf;erwards proceeded to
elect twenty children into the asylum, from a list of
terenty candidates, and the nacre; f the succeskfal can.
didetes were ordered to he advertised in the daily
piers.
From the ger oral statement if accounts fur the year
1849, it appeared that the receipts (including a balance
in hand of 1,3351. 193.84.) amounted to 10,848/. 15s. 4d.,
and the disbursements to 7.1434 16s. 7d., leaving a
balance if 3,704/. 188. 93. Of this sum 2,2911. 17s. 6d.
had been invested in the purchase f annuities, thus re-
ducing the amount t f cash to 1,4131. ls. 3d. This report
having been receive! and adoplei, and a vote if thanks
haling been passed to the chairman, the meeting sepa-
rate I.

BIRMIIiGHAM.—We congratulate our townsmen on
the election of Mr. James Corder to the important and
responsible office c.f clerk to the guardians of the poor of
this parish, fteling satisfied, from the very efEcient
manner in which that geatleman has discharged his
mutt faious duties fir the last four months, that the
guardians lave made a wise choice, and teat Birming-
ham has secured the services of a talented and zealous
officer. Although there ware several candida'es, Mr.
Corder's election Vial a'mott untoimotp.—Arie'l
minghant Gazette.

[The following appeared in our Third Edition of
yesterday :---]

FRANCE.
The Patric publishes the folio:vine. contradiction of
the story originally published by the Ass?mMee
National on the subject of the supposed declaration of
11. Achille Mould :
" The Siècle aed National attribute t) one of the
umbers of the Cabieet lalguaeee he has never uttered.
The Government repels in the most firreal manner those
fJolish and incousiderat, accosa ions. It also deplores
the facility with which several journals make themselves
the echo of the most mi,taken and malicijus sories.
They do not understand that they expose themselves by
these fal,ehoods to the danger cf diminishing confidence
and public credit, the rapid development of which ought
to occasion the most lively satisfaction to all good
citizens."
General Lamoriciet Ara private audience with
the President of the Republic ,yesterday. M. de
Courcelles has also had a long interview with the
President. •
The Government has received the iriolligence that
the Freoch fleet has left 0 arlac.
The Prefect of Police (M. Carlier) has addressed a
circular to authors, editors, printer 4, booksellers, and
bibliophiles, to apprise them of his intention to estab-
lish in the prefecture a central library for the use of
the prisoners :--
"It is not enough (says M. Carlier) to prevent them
from reading anarchical journals and bed books, which
too easily find sympathies in houses of confinement. I
have provided against that danger ; it has ceased ; but it
it is necessary that the minds of their inmates be occu-
pied, that their morale be support and that they be-
come roconciled to the principles on which fa oily and
society repose."
The municipal budget, however, allocating no
credit for that object, M. Carlier is obliged to appeal
to the generosity of authors and publishers to realise
a philanthropic idea, which, he says, originated with
the President of the Republic.
" The Presse," says the Moniteur, " publishes an
article entitled 'lnconsistencies,' in which it copies
the entire article of the Reforme of the 2d Dec., for
which the editor of the latter was sentenced, two
days ago, by the jury, to fine and imprisonment.
The Presse having printed the article apart from
the report of the trial of the Reforme, inserted in its
number of yesterday, the Attorney of the Republic
ordered the Presse of this day to be seized in its office
and at the Post-office."
"The Presse," says its editor, "during the fifteen
years it has existed was never the object of any sei-
zure. To-day it was seized by order of the Attorney-
General Baroche, who no doubt is anxious to summon
again before him AL Emile de Girardin. Why was
our number seized ? We did not even take the
trouble of inquiring, fur we are as certain of our
principles as we are of our intentions. The Presse
already suffered two persecutions, one in June, 1847,
and the other in Jane, 1848. Their result is known.
Eight months after the editor of the Presse was
summoned to the bar of the Chamber of Peers, in
June, 1847, M. Hebert, Keeper of the Seals, was ob-
liged, on the 24th of February, to fly in all haste
and seek refuge in a foreign country. Seven months
after the Presse was suspended, in June, 1848,
General Cavaignac was condemned by the ballot of
the 10th of December.
" This evening," adds the Presse, " At the Passage
of the Opera, the Five per cents., which had closed
at 94f. 25c., fell 45 centimes on the report of the sei-
zure of the Presse. This measure, which nobody
could account for, was generally regarded as a poli-
tical event."