The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-31 00:00:00

1845.

THE DIORAMA.

To those who are lovers of the perfection of art, we
would recommend a visit to this place of amuse-
ment, which opens to-morrow. We were to-day
favoured by a private view of two pictures, viz.,
the Castle and Town of lleidelberg, and an
exterior view of the Cathedral of Notre Dame,
which are to be exhibited here, and it is no
false praise or empty compliment when we say
that they are the finest things of the kind we have ever
had the good fortune to behold. Both pictures are painted
by Le Chevalier Renoux, and have been completed
to exhibit the various novel effects cf light and shade.
The first effect represents the ruined Castle of lleidel-
burg, frowning in the depth of winter upon the tower
beneath. The flowing Neckar is seen for miles of its
winding course. The whole picture is startling
from its rugged truthfulness, which almost affects
the physical senses. A change comes over
the picture, and it represents with equal
truth the same scene in summer. We then
come to the grand and noble picture of the
Cathedral of Notre Dame. It is sublimely beautiful
and true, and ought to be seen by all who are lovers
of the great and wonderful in art. The first
effect of the picture represents sunset, and the
second moonlight. This latter is the very perfec-
tion of art. The change is so very gradual from bright
sunset to silvery moonlight that it is almost imper-
perceptible until it is effected. The noble cathedral
becomes illuminated, and the swell of the organ from
the interior adds greatly to the grandeur and solemnity
of the scene. Let every one who delights in genuine
painting gc and see this picture.

FALL OF A BUILDING AT POL-
LOKSHAWS--FIVE LIVES LOST.
Early yesterday (Friday) morning, a most melancholy
accident occurred at Pollokshaws, distant about three
miles from Glasgow, which has created a great
sensation, and thrown the inhabitants of that dis-
trict into deep and heartfelt mourning. Some time
ago it was proposed by the Old Trades' Society
of Pollokshaws to erect a building in the Main-
street of that town. This building was commenced,
and on Thursday last the mason work of it was
finished, and the scaffolding removed the same even-
ing. Close to this building stood ' a thatch house
of one story high, occupied by poor but respectable
tenants. The occupants of this humble dwelling,
seven in number, had, it appears, considerable doubts
as to the stability of the building erecting adjacent to
them, and, during the ccurse of this week, remained
two nights in a lodging-house, being afraid that the
building would fall upon them. On Thursday even-
ing, while the wind was blowing a hurricane, the
inmates entered their habitation, still under the
same fears. They congregated themselves around
the hearth, and sat there listening to the storm
raging without, until far in the morning. Thinking,
then, their fears were groundless, and danger dis-
tant, they all retired to rest ; but, as stated to us,
they were not ten minutes stretched upon their beds, to
close their eyes in sleep, than down fell upwards of
twenty feet of the gable and chimney-stack, which was
very high, of the building, crushing beneath it the humble
domicile of these unfortunate beings. The crash was
heard in an adjoining house, the inmates of which instantly
rosn and procured cvtiry assistance In their power
to have the sufferers removed from the awful situa-
tion in which they were placed. Two of the seven
were speedily got out, and found to be little injured,
viz„ Mrs. Bann, or Catherine Muter, a young
widow, and her child, a little girl about ten
years of age. It required upwards of two hours,
however, of great exertion, before the remainder of
the sufferers could be reached. After being dis-
covered, they were all found to be lying in
their beds, with life totally extinct. One of the five,
named Betty Brown, a young woman aged nineteen
years, had her head mangled in a most dreadful man-
ner ; and a little boy named William Rann, about
twelve years of age, was severely injured about the
breast, having several bones broken there. The
other three, who thus met with an untimely and
melancholy end, were John Muter, an old man, aged 79
years, and his wife, who was upwards of 75, along with
Catherine Bann, daughter of the young widow, Mrs.
than, above alluded to. All of these unfortunate suf-
ferers were much respected in Pollokshaws, particularly
the old man and his wife.—Scotch Reformers' Gazette.

THE BLACK EAGLE STEAM-VESSEL—This fine
vessel has been taken alongside the wharf wall of the basin
at Woolwich dock-yard, and her leaks temporarily repaired,
until she can be taken into one of the docks, which are all
at present full. At the time of the accident, on Friday night,
it was so dark that the description of vessel which caused
the injury could not be correctly ascertained, some being
of opinion that the vessel was a brig, and others that she was
a ship of a large class, and the latter is the most\probable
supposition, owing to the height of her bows out of the
water, as she nearly ran over the Black Eagle, which had
at one period water nearly knee-deep on the stern end of
her deck. The officers and crew of the Black Eagle have no
knowledge of the vessel or parti4s on board the ship which
caused the injury, and the attempt of one of the crew of
the steam-vessel to go on board the ship was frustrated, as
he supposes, by cutting the rope by which he attempted to
board her, as that is the only way he can account for falling
back into the Black Eagle. It wasa most fortunate circum-
stance that the collision did not take place a few feet more
forward; the engines would have been liable to sustain in-
jury, and the parties on board the vessel which caused the
accident did net remain to ascertain if any aid would be re-
quired of them. On looking at the extent of the injury sus-
tained by the Black Eagle, it appears surprising that the
officers and crew were able to keep her from sinking, espe-
cially in a dark night ; but their accomplishing that object
and navigating her round to Woolwich, affords convincing
proof of their excellent knowledge of the coast and abilities
as seamen. Some idea may be formed of the force of the col-
lision when it is stated that the strong oak ribs of her frame
were completely broken through, and the strong oak frame
supporting the cross-beams between the side and chief cabin
window were completely separated into two and driven in
different directions. The beautiful mahogany panels and
gold mouldings inside have been destroyed, and several
planks of the floor of the principal cabin considerably sunk.
The deck appears to have been put together in a remarkably
strong manner, as it is not much displaced, the greatest in-
jury being where the ship had literally cut through the solid
wood. It will take some time to repair the damage sustained
by the Black Eagle, and this is to be regretted, as the vessel
was destined to have the honour of embarking her Majesty
at the port where the royal yacht is stationed.
The electric telegraph for the use of Government
on the South-Western Railway is now regularly at work.
The wires extend from the terminus at Gosport, through the
fortifications, and into the Royal Clarence-yard. There a
semaphore is erected, which communicates with the one in
the Commander-in- Chief's residence in the dockyard, so that
messages can be conveyed to and from the Admiralty as
often as may be required. The arrival of the Dublin and
Resistance was made known at the Admiralty on Tuesday by
this telegraph—the weather being so thick that the ordinary
telegraph was useless.—United Service Gazette.

According to the report laid before the Share-
holders of the Sheffield and Manchester Railway, the works
of the undertaking are progressing as fast as could be ex-
pected, considering the late severity of the weather. It is
expected that the whole of the line will be opened in May,
but the -question of amalgamation with the Midland and the
Manchester and Birmingham Companies remains for settle-
ment by the decision of Parliament. As far as traffic has
been yet developed, the results are held to be satisfactory.
The receipts for the half-year ending December last were
18,503/. 14s. 10d., and the expenses of working,
9,3401. 15s. 3d., leaving a balance of 9,1621. 19s. 7d. in
favour of the Company. The gross amount of expenditure
on the works of the line has been 1,139,709/., and the balance
at the bankers' is now 32,215/. The proposed extensions are
to be prosecuted before the Legislature with all due vigour,
and the Directors appear to show a very friendly feeling to all
neighbouring interests.
HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—Amongst the com-
pany present at her Majesty's Theatre, on Saturday night,
were—the Duchess of Cambridge, the Grand Duke and
Duchess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, Prince Ernest of Hesse
Philippsthal, attended by Baron Knesebeck and Mr. Mild-
may ; the Queen Dowager's box was occupied by the Grand
Duchess Stephanie of Baden and party ; the Prince de
Broglie, Baron and Baroness Brunow, the Count and Countess
de Jarnac, the Marquis of Huntley, the Earls of Shelburne,
Kenmare, Munster, and Falmouth ; the Countesses of Ken-
mare and Mountcashel ; Count de Noailles, Baron and Ba-
roness de Lagos, Lords Foley, Brougham, and William Be-
resford ; Ladies Easthope, Shawe, Stewart, Joddrell, Curtis,
Elliotson, and Quintin ; Sir Henry Webb and Major Henry
Baring.
The Queen Dowager has recently subscribed the
sum of 20/. towards the building fund of the Intended district
church at Malvern Link, Worcestershire.
At a public meeting at Pontefract, on the 26th
March, a petition was agreed to against the grant to
Maynooth.