The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-26 00:00:00

THE PANORAMAS.

Though science has yet failed to construct Fortu-
natus's telescope through which may be seen any
spot that the spectator desires to behold, we are at
least able to view, by walking to Leicester-square,
many of the scenes on the face of the globe that are
generally interesting. To the admirable panorama of
Hong-Kong and Baden Baden, Mr. Burford has this
week added a view of Naples, from the bay, by moon-
light, during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This
is, we believe, the first time that the effect of moon-
light Ills been attempted to be represented in a pano-
rama. As the painting is entirely on the surface
presented to the spectator, and is seen altogether by
reflected light instead of the light being partly trans-
mitted through the material as in a diorama, it is
much more difficult to render the effect of moonlight
and of self-luminous bodies than when the artist has
the power of concentrating lights on particular objects
behind. Mr. Burford has, however, overcome the
difficulty successfully in the greater portion of his
design, and he has very artistically contrivel to avail
himself of the glare of the volcanic flames for the pur-
pose of giving the effect which the light of the moon
alone might have been inadequate to produce.
THE DIORAMA.

The beautiful paintings of the church of Notre
Dame and the Abbey of St. Ouen, with the extra-
ordinary and almost miraculous effects of varying
light and shade, have on more than one occasion been
noticed in this journal; it is, therefore, only neces-
sary now to remind all sight-seers that these paintings
remain open for only a short time longer, and that if
they fail to take advantage of the present opportu-
nity they will have to regret not having witnessed
two of the most attractive and extraordinary views
that even this exhibition has ever presented.
THE COSMORAMA.

This long-established favourite exhibition continues
to maintain its ground amidst numerous competitors,
and the proprietors endeavour to make improvements
suitable to the advancement and acquirements of
public taste. There are eight views, which, being
seen through large and powerful lenses, appear to be
of the natural size, and present may objects of in-
terest with great fidelity.
_ The present subjects are
the colossal statues of Memnon on the plain of Thebes,
ooy
the exterior of the Pantheon at Rome by moonlight,
Le
Hier
ofr the exterior and the in-
terior
Vesuvius, the Lake of '.Chun, in Switzerland, and the
Elippodrome at Constantinople. In some of these the
e de
St. Glace,p e
ter,s in
at SRavm and Eruption of Mount
effects of varying lights and shadows are represented
in imitation of the diorama,
CHINESE COLLECTION.
A visit to the Chinese Museum at Hyde Park-
corner will convey a better idea of the people, their
habits, and customs, and the manufactures of China
than some years since could have been obtained by
such a peep into the celestial empire as was :,then
allowed to those who actually took a six months'
voyage to that mysterious land. Be it by day or by
night, the visitor will he amply gratified and in-
structed; but if the keen and frosty air of a winter's
night be not an obstacle, we recommend seeing the
emporium'of Most that is curious and beautiful and
strange in China by the artificial light of hundreds of
Chinese lanterns, with the additional attraction of a
good musical band, and the illuminated monster
dragon that presides every evening during Christmas
over the imperial dragon fete.
MADAME TUSSAUD'S EXHIBITION.
Sterling, indeed must be the merit of an exhibition
in London which maintains its popularity season
after season—that remains till fresh generations rise
up to go and see, for the first time; the most perfect
exhibition of waxwork that was ever presented, and
till those who are growing old repair there to recal
past delightful recollections, and to be placed au
courant, with the present improvements and additions.
Very recently two important accessions have been
made in the figures of George I. and George 11., in
their coronation robes. They are placed within the
reception-room at the end of the large saloon, which
George IV. and his coronation robes formerly occu-
pied alone. His ancestors now share with him this
peculiar room of state, and add much to its brilliant
effect. NVe so recently noticed the late addition of
Napoleon's carriage and the other mementos of the
former Emperor of France, that is is unnecessary now
to do more than remind those who have not yet seen
these interesting and beautiful relics of departed
greatness that they now form a part of Madame
russaud's unequalled exhibition.
POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.
This excellent institution has made some alteration
in its programme to suit the Christmas visitors. A
new collection of dissolving views is exhibited, and
the proteoscepe, or mode of showing opaque objects
with the hydro-oxygen microscope, has been improved,
so that now one image dissolves into another with
most curious effect. A new application of the micro-
scope has been introduced, called the cromatrepe,
wherein a variety of brilliantly coloured figures are
seen revolving and constantly varying their forms in
most beautiful patterns. The whole models in the
institution have been recently re-arranged, and nume-
rous new ones have be m added, whilst the old
favourites remain. On two evenings of the week,
during the holiday season, Mr. Horn delivers lectures
on music ; and every day lectures on attractive
subjects, and illustrated by brilliant experiments, are
delivered.
THE ADELAIDE GALLERY.

The curriculum of amusement and instruction at
this institution has also been specially arranged for
Christmas, and with even greater regard to the enter-
tainment of the year than the Polytechnic. Science
for the time holds company with magic and music.
A. conjuror diversifies the lectures on chemistry and
astronomy by showing the deceptions of art, and the
properties of different bodies in colouring flame are
exhibited in brilliant fireworks. There are also dis-
solving views, the microscope, and some mechanical
wonders to amuse, whilst the electrical eels continue
to shock with their usual force. At night the en-
tertainments consist of " Concerts a la Jullien," in
which, forty performers are engaged.