The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-27 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 Forta-
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
fiong-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 contrived 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
THE DIO R been inadequateAMA. to prOduce.
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,
the exterior of the Pantheon at Rome by moonlight,
Le Mar 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 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 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 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. We 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 mere than remind those who hive not yet seen

these interesting and beautiful relics of departed
greatness that they now form a part of Madame
Tussaud'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,
AI that now one image dissolves into another with
most curious effect. A new application of the micro-
scope has been introduced, called the cromatrope,
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 Ai 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.