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

CHRISTMAS AMUSEMENTS.

" Christmas comes but once a year !" This is one
of those satisfactory apothegms which there is no
gainsaying, and though it might, perhaps, be as truly
applied to other seasons, yet Christmas has appro-
priated it exclusively ; therefore, this undeniable fact
is made an especial season why, for this once, every
one should indulge in the festivities within his reach.
There are few modes more agreeable of spending a
" merry Christmas," and none more harmless, than
in visiting the exhibitions, of which so many open
their portals in the metropolis ; and at this season,
also, there is generally some extra attractions to make
them the better worth seeing. We shall, therefore,
as it is our wont to do, present a catalogue raisonnee
of the whole.
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 has 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 contrivei 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 almostmiraculous 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 sire, and present may objects of in-
terest with great fidelity. The present subjects are
the colossal statues of gemnon on the plain of Thebes,
the exterior of the Pantheon at Rome by moonlight,
Le Mer de Glace, in Savoy, the exterior and the in-
terior of St. Peter's at Rome,
and Eruption of Mount
Vesuvius, the Lake of Thun, in Switzerland, and the
Hippodrome at Constantinople. In some of these the
effects of varying lights and shadows are represented
in imitation of the diomma.

C lIINF4 SE COLLECTION'.
A visit to the Chinese INlUSeinit at Ityde
rAtk-
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 S 5 WPS 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 be 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 attrartion of a
good rcp.sical bend, aid the illutninated monster
dragon that presides every evening during Christmas
over the imperial dragon fete.
1111 D:01E TUSSAUD'S ENIRBITIOX.
Sterlins) indeed Mint Le 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.emis ete pits'dntui, and
till thOSe *he 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 itnportvt accestions have been
made in the flgiires 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 anceotor tio.t share titli hint this
peculiar f Mtn Of Stfit, and add much to its brilliant
effect. We so recently noticed the late addition of
Napoleon's carriage and the other mementos of the
former Emperor of Ftranee that iP urlileedia.ry now
to do mere thail remind those who have not yet seen
thesegrea interesting
tnesithattheyandnobweauf:rifutul
arepligt ooft
Tussaud's nnelutilled eXhibition. (leipadaartmede

OLYII C 1 TIC INSTITUTION.
This excellent instittttion NS made some alteration
in itS programme to suit the Christmas visitors. A
new collection of dissolving views is exhibited; and
the proteoscepe, or mode 4f thaivirig opaque objects
with the hydio-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 tedttiattepe,
wherein a t'aritty 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 added, whilst the old
favourites remain. On two evenings of the week,
ndnuriningustiehe;
andhol
idayevseerayson, Mr. Horn delivers lectures
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 /a Jullien," in
which forty performers are engaged.