The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-22 00:00:00

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

A series of entertaining and highly instructive
experiments, comprising a lecture upon Scientific
Recreations, are being exhibited by Dr. Bachhoffner,
whereby that gentleman explains the laws of nature
governing many curious phenomena, and involved in
many of our most common and every-day amuse-
ments. The boy's sucker is made at once a philoso-
phical instrument, and the experiments brought :for-
ward to explain and exhibit the manner of its action
were of the highest importance and value. Taking
advantage of the same law, the Doctor performed some
singular experiments, at first- sight seemingly the
very acme of " conjuring dexterity," which, however,
upon explanation resolved themselves into the most
simple contrivances, dependent for their action upon
the same principle as the "sucker" of our boyhood,
" the atmospheric pressure," which fact, by-the-bye,
tends remarkably to show the misnomer of "sucker,"
as applied to that peculiar contrivance. The experi-
ments in elucidation of the laws governing the sen-
sations of heat and cold were most remarkable—in
some in'tances the results were truly startling. The
burden of many a wager was here introduced_
"placing a kettle of boiling
water on the hand," and
the causes
.of such accomplishment fully
explained.
The most peculiar experiment was one we will en-
deavour to describe. A small apparatus, having two
cylinders connected by means of a handle, was placed
up ,n the table, and a small quantity of cold water
introduced in each; the covers being screwed down,
the machine was handed for inspection, and, to the
astonishment of all present, one of the vessels had
become so exceedingly hot as to prevent its being re-
tained in the hand, while the other was so cold as to
become in like manner equally uncomfortable. A
result so peculiar seemed to be at first sight beyond
the power even of magic,
and curious enough was
the appearance of these two vessels, one much be-
yond the boiling point of water, while its neighbour,
in connexion, and distant only two or three inches,
had become so intensely cold as to freeze the mois-
ture of the room upon its surface like hoar-frost. In
these experiments the Doctor explained he had taken
advantage of the facilities offered by the patented
apparatus of Mr. Masters, of Regent-street, that
gentleman having applied the principle to a number
of useful contrivances, shown in illustration, and too
well known to need description here.

LONDON AND WESTMINSTER COAL COMPANY.—
The winding-up of this company's affairs came on yes-
terday, before the Master in Chancery Blunt, at his
court in Southampton-buildings, Chancery-lane, on the
re:ition of Samuel Stanway, of 29, Granville-square,
Pertonville. The club or company was started in April
1848, to buy and sell coals and coke in London and
other places, with a proposed capital of 30,000/. in as
many shares of 11. each, with power to e:tsblish depots
and wharfs. The place of busiress was No. 142, Strand,
and Robert Hope Gal Oen, the projector, was ap-
pointed resident manager at 600/. a year. Agencies
were appointed in different parts of England, but the
scheme was aeon after attended with pecuniary ember-
rassment and loss. The petitioner, who took fire hen.
dred shares and paid the deposit, was sued for the debts
incurred, and taken into custody, where he now remains.
The assets are insufficient to meet the liabilities, and
actions are threatened by creditors against the share-
holds. The directors drew bills or promissory notes in
the name of the company, for debts due, and demands
owing by them individually, and which the petitioner
ou affidavit states bad no relation whatever to the legi-
timate affairs of the company. He gave notice to the
secretary, Frederick Devey, not to countersign any of
these bills or notes, or in any way to abet the directors
in these proceedings, but the company notwithstanding
have not paid the debts for which the petitioner is in
custody, nor indemnified him against actions at law.
The Master proceeded with the list of contributories
liable to a pro rata call to pay off liabilities, and several
were placed on the list for this purpose.
11111 ARCTIC EXPEDITION.—Captain Manby re-
cently suggested to Sir James Ross such an addition to
to the steam-bouts employed in the Artic Expedition as
would enable them to be used alternately as seam-boats
or s:e lges. This the captain proposni to do by means of
'road-rimmed wheels, so constructed as to almit of their
being substituted fns the paddle-boxs when required.
Sir James Ross replied to Captain Manby Cape,
Collinson is to command the expedition, and does not
intend to take with him the steam-launches." In con-
sequence, we learn, Capt. Maaby having confidence in
the practicability of his plan, has resolved to construct
a model f such a vessel as he recommended; and be
purposes to submit the same, togethersjs,to the
witli some nprojects for saving the of a
commis-
sioners appointed for the promotion and exhibition of the
works of art of all nations, in IBsl.—Norfolk Chronicle.
A lad in this town (Bedford), who
displayisreportoefdhtios
be very kind-hearten, gave a practical
qualities the other day. He had frequently noticed in
his master's cellar a single rat. P.tying its solitary
condition, and thinking it must be passing a very ur-
con,f)rtable life, the thoughtless genius bought three
others of a rat-catcher, and turned them into the cellar
to keep it company 1-13edfbrd Times.