The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-15 00:00:00

ADELAIDE GALLERY.

Last night the Adelaide Gallerire-opened, after
having been " entirely remodelled and beautifully de-
corated," with the first of a series of lectures on the
dances of all nations. The expounder was Mr. Al-
fred Ormonde, who formerlyl lectured on Scottish
music, aid the " experiments" were performed by a
corps of Parisian dancers, who exhibited on "an ap-
propriate stage," erected for the purpose, embellished
with "beautiful scenery," a " splendid new drop
scene," and " magnificent costumes." Previous to
the lecture there was a concert by the Sax Horn
Band, who performed several popular airs very ef-
fectively, but the great attraction was the experimen-
tal lecture on dancing. The lecturer was mounted
on a platform at the end of the long gallery, and im-
mediately above him was the ballet laboratory, fitted
up in all respects as a stage, with procenium, foot-
lights, &c. Mr. Ormonde having held forth for a
short time on the origin of dancing and on the pecu-
liar dances of the Greeks, called on Mesdames Jo-
sephine, Mason, and Fanny Genty, and M. Alexandre
Vandris, for their first experiment, illustrative of the
classic dance of the Greeks. Next came the experi-
ment of the Spanish seguidella, with castinet appa-
ratus, very cleverly performed by Mademoiselles
Louise Pierron and Fanny Genty; and so the lec-
ture proceeded—a little uttering of smart things by
Mr. Ormonde, then some dancing by the Pari,ians,
until they arrived at the grand climax, the Polka,
which was performed in good style by six dancing
philosophers.

SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY.—The railroad works
are proceeding in the neighbourhood of Dawlish with
great celerity. The miners in the tunnel work day and
night, and a most animated scene presents itself all along
the coast, from Langstone Cliff to Smugglers' Hole, the
cliffs of which latter place are the scene of the tunnel.
The work of blasting the cliff is carried on with great
daring to the astonishment of the natives. On Saturday
last one of the most interesting and extensive explosions
"came off" under the auspices of Mr. Glennie, who is.
Mr. Brunel's chief lieutenant : 1,550 pounds weight of
gunpowder was exploded in three separate charges. The
miners had made three chambers in the cliff, one a short
distance from the head, another near the centre, and the
third near the base • the heaviest charge was on the top.
The charges were fired by a safety fuse. each being ex
ploded one minute later than the preceding. The first
charge took off the head of the cliff, vpheaving the great
mass with resistless force, and tumbling it into the sea..
The headings were made in the cliff immediately to the
westward of Mr. Phillott's beautiful little cove, which it
is intended to cross by making two short tunnels through
the projected headlands. The face of the cliff to be
blown down was about 120 feet high, and the chambers
contained altogether about 1,5501b5. weight of powder,
the highest being about 650, the next 550, and the
lowest about 350 ; another headland was also loaded
with about 3001bs. The time fixed was 10 A.m.; the
morning turned out favourable, and there was about 50
or 60 parties present, amongst whom were T. B. Short,
Esq., of Bickham, and friends, several ladies, Mr., Har-
rison, Mr. Dymond, Mr. Dawson, an.daottehrewr
egreenateTereal
connected with the railway.
timeboats,
drewwhich
nkn e. p tt
beet
natives
nveryg ladder, respectfulwOenrwere
'saeenndn.distance.
diving
ascending
into
iiAt
es
andtthh
ee
descending their
.happ
insecurity
, and just that undefined
headings and their
tfeheel ieinnngtgeiornefespetro,stasoiabvtlhee
edtha
engsei
whole.gr,n calmsaohnoidnn et dh o aftertogivefussesl o ,
mwa
evrr.eer very
igelighted,
pleas-
ingtneide
~
and then might be
obreesdeeisntaantlipttolesitmioonvsewmeernet,thaonudghshtifnteinagr
of places, and
enough to see well. After the lapse of eight minutes, the
top charge exploded, and heaved up the surface with a
deep stifled sound, and down it rushed, in thundering
masses, to the beach. The second followed with the
same effect ; and then the third, which was bedded in
the rock, rang out like a ship's broadside blowing the
heading out to sea, and shaking down huge fragments
that the two first had loosened. It was calculated that
about 15,000 tons fell, and quite as much more remained
sustained apparently by two points, and which has most
probably ere this followed. The last blast was now
made ; the part to be blown down was a projecting
angle in Mr. Pennell's down, and the result was perfectly
successful. The ground heaved up several feet, and then
toppled to the beach, where it will form the platform of
the railway. The whole sight was magnificent to the
spectator, and highly gratifying to the engineer, as testi-
fying the correctness of his judgment and calculation.
Smugglers' Hole is a most romantic spot—the property of
Luke Pennell, Esq.—Western Times.
PLYMOUTH CITADEL.—CoIoneI Sir George Hoste,
Sir Thomas Hastings, and others, are expected here very
shortly to survey the citadel and the surrounding
heights, preparatory to the direction of fortifications to
defend the cost.—Devonport Independent.
The Earl of Aberdeen arrived in town yesterday,
from a visit to her Majesty at Windsor Castle.