The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-28 00:00:00

ROYAL POPYTECHNIC INSTI-
TUTION.

Never, since the establishment of this superlative
amongst the magnificent institutions of instruction
and entertainment whi(h enrich the greatest metro-
polis in the world, have its ample hall, its galleries
full of the treasures of art and nature gathered from
all parts of the earth, from pole to pole, and from the
surface to the deepest bowels—its commodious thea-
tres and rich saloons—been so thronged with curious
and admiring visitors, as they have been from hour
to hour since the commencement of the present holi-
days. if there be any of our readers who have not
yet passed a day of the most profitable and elevating
amusement in this at once grand and beautiful temple
of science and art, we will assure them, that if London
contained no other attraction, it would repay a journey
from the remotest part of the island, to enjoy the
riches of the Royal Polytechnic Institution. We have
on former occasions mentioned the valuable and most
interesting collections of objects in natural history
and of artificial productions—the vast variety of
working models, machines, steam-engines, cotton-
mills, railway carriages, steam-boats, and the most
elaborate specimens of ingenious manufacture and
scientific engineering. The exhibition of the diving
bell, and the exploits of the very, very patient diver
(who, by the bye, is not quite neglected by his ad-
mirers young and old) seem t- be nearly the most
attractive of the varied and really wonderful subjects
of contemplation which are here presented in close
succession from hour to hour, or rather from minute
to minute. Amongst the most remarkable of the
novelties recently added are the eloquent and learned
lectures of Mr. Home on the Music of England,
illustrated by choice and delightful performance of
the most appropriate specimens ; and a very ingenious
and interesting invention of Mr. Childs, called the
" Chromatrope," from the extraordinary and beau-
tiful changes and combinations of colours which it
presents. The Dissolving Views are new, and very
beautiful. Mr. Longbottom's Proteoscope and Physio-
scope, with the hydro-electric machine, and the
microscope, afford fresh varieties of entertainment and
information alike to the merest idle and the most
seriously inquisitive. The lectures of Dr. Ryan and
Professor Bachhoffner could not be praised too highly,
not merely for their profound learning, but also, and
if possible more, for the clear, concise, and elegant
style in which the difficulties of science are made
attractive and intelligible to the young and the unin-
structed. The experiments by which those lectures
are illustratted cannot be observed without delight
and admiration. On the whole, it is most gratifying
to witness that so many thousands can appreciate,
and are eager to avail themselves of, the great good
which is here afforded them.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.—The Queen and Prince
Albert, attended by a numerous suite, honoured
this theatre with their presence last evening, to
witness the performance of Harlequin and Robinson
Crusoe, which is the most successful harlequinade
that. has been produced for years.
GENERAL COURT-MARTIAL.—CHATHAM, DEC. 27.
—Yesterday the following sentence of a general court-
martial was promulgated in this garrison by order of the
commandant, Sir Thomas Willshire, K.C.B. The Com-
mander-in-Chief having had the honour to lay before
the Queen the proceedings of a general court-martial
hold at Chatham-barracks en the 2d of November last,
for the trial of James Barnes, No. 1,243 of the 68th
Regingeat, who was arraigned upon six distinct citarges
of insubordination and outrageous conduct, in offering
violence to Assistant-Surgeon C. Irving, of the 68th
Light Infantry, and also to the Hospital Sergeant,
James Ireton, of the same corps ; and for forcing the
sentry over the hospitaldoor at Walmer-barrauks, and ab-
senting himself from the regimental hospital whilst
under medical treatment, and not returning until
brought back by an escort the same day in
a state of intoxication, being the fourth
time of his being drunk within twelve mouths,
thereby constituting an act of habitual drunkenness ;
upon which charges the Court came to the following de-
cision :—The Court having duly weighed and considered
the evidence in support of the prosecution, together with
the prisoner's plea of guilty to the second charge, as
well as what he has adduced and stated in his defence,
that the prisoner, private James Barnes, is guilty of the
whole of the charges against him, and which being in
breach of the articles of war, does in virtue thereof sen-
tence him, the said prisoner, private James Barnes, to
be transported as a felon for the term of seven years.
Her Majesty was pleased to approve and confirm the
finding and sentence of the Court, and to command that
the prisoner be transported accordingly beyond the seas
to such place as her Majesty, by the advice of her Privy
Council, shall think fit to appoint and direct.—J. Mac-
donald, Adjutant-General." The prisoner was handed
over to an escort of one sergeant and two privates of
the 11th Regiment, and marched for Gravesend en route
for the Penitentiary at Millbank. The prisoner's regi-
ment is lying at Dover.

A Belgian paper mentions that Wilschozk, of
Archangel, who is admitted to be the most expert skater
in Russia, had arrived in Brussels, and was to exhibit his
talent on Sunday (the 15th), on the basin of St. Josse-
tun-Noode. Wilschozk enjoys a vast reputation in St.
Petersburgh, where, in the art of skating, so highly cul-
tivated in that capital, he is acknowledged to be without
a rival. In 1838 he won a match in skating against a
reindeer, on the sledge-drive on the Neva. This race
was won in the presence of the Czar, who on that occa-
sion presented to Wilschozk a magnificent pair of skates,
set with precious stoup Since that time he has, by
dint of the mest laborious practice, attained such perfec-
tion, that he can perform all sorts of feats and gambols
on the ice. He can skate on all fours—that is to say,
having skates on his hands as well as his feet, at the same
time imitating perfectly the movements of the polar
white bear, whose habits he has had the opportunity of
observing in the frigid regions of his native country.—
Court Journal.

A SCIENTIFIC BIRD.—It is a remarkable fact that
the tolegalla (an Australian bird, somewhat resembling
our domestic fowl) does not hatch its eggs by incuba-
tion. In order to effect this object it assimilates in
seine degree to the practice of the ostrich, yet upon a
totally different principle. The tolegalla collects toge-
ther an immense quantity of decaying vegetable matter
as a depository for the eggs, and then trusts to the heat
engendered by the process of decomposition for the
hatchir,g them. The heap employed for this purpose is
collected by the birds during !several weeks previously
to the period of laying ; it varies in size from two to
four cart loads, and is of a perfectly pyramidal form.
The construction of the mound is not the work of one
pair of birds, but is effected by the united labours of
several ; the same site appears, from the great size and
the entire decomposition of the lower part, to be resorted
to for several years in succession, the birds adding a fresh
supply of materials on each occasion previously to laying
their eggs.