THE ROYAL PANOPTICON OF SCIENCE ANDART.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 782, 12 October 1853, Page 3

THE ROYAL PANOPTICON OF SCIENCE ANDART.

(From the “Britannia.")

The sight-seekers and visitors iia London cannot have failed to notice the important building which lias lately sprung up on the east side of Leicestersquare, the summit of which forms a conspicuous object from the bridges and several other leading thoroughfares of the metropolis. The Royal Panopticon of Science and Art has been erected not tor the sight seer only, but for those who desire to become acquainted with all the scientific improvements of the day ; the object of the directors being to make the place as useful as it will he entertaining to the public. We have not had time to give more than a glance at the exterior further than to perceive that the facade is divided into three compartments, in the centre of which is the grand entrance, the side compartments or wings forming private residences, &c. Over the centre is seen a large arched sky-light which covers one of the most extensive and perfect photographic chambers that have as yet been built. Flanking the front of the building, and slightly receding from if, are two elegantly-shaped minarets, one hundred and ninety feet high from the ground. These are to be used for exhibiting the powers of the electric light, and signalling to the various brigades the locality of any fire breaking out during the hours of darkness within a circle of six miles from Leicester-square ; and surmounting the whole is the large dome which covers and lights the central hall. The front of the building strikes the observer as being somewhat flat, but this is perhaps right for a street front, and is fully compensated for by the playful and artistic manner in which the sky-line is treated. Having noted thus much, we hasten to gratify our curiosity, and enter the building under a large and highly-enriched arch, supported on four detached shafts of polished marble. Immediately on enterin'* doors right and left communicate with the offices, and opposite is the pay office. Here we cannot help pausing for a moment to admire the decorations of the walls of the entrance, which are formed with slabs of alabaster in frames of encaustic tiles of beautiful patterns, mid rich with colour ; the floor is also paved with these latter. On either side of the pay office arches open into the central hall, and once in here, though the spectator may be at first perplexed with the many objects which court his observation, far above them all, even above the

elegant and sparkling fountain immediately at his feet, or the solemn swell of the gigantic organ, the most complete yet constructed, his attention will be riveted to the grand proportions of the hall itself, and the gorgeous colours with which it is enriched. The dimensions of this apartment, as given us, are one hundred feet diameter, and ninety-seven feet high to the summit of centre light. The dome which covers the hall springs from a series of horse-shoe arches which rest on three tiers of iron columns. These arches are sixteen in number, each containing a meteorological indicator, the one exactly facing the spectator as he enters being about double the width of the remainder, and is spanned by a trefoil headed arch, the upper segment of which runs into the dome. This arch forms the opening into the organ chamber, under which are two spacious lecture rooms. The hall is surrounded by two wide galleries which are approached by staircases right and left of the grand entrance, and by an ascending chamber on a novel principle. The decoration and enrichment of this hall have been most elaborately carried out. The shafts under the lower gallery are peculiarly beautiful; they are cotagonal in form, and from the base up to about two-thirds of that height are cosed with glass gilded behind; above this, at four of the faces, hang down small shafts in imitation of lapis lazuli, forming corbels for the widelyspreading capitals; between these, on the smoother faces of the octagon, is a beautiful Arabesque pattern. The second tier of shafts is being covered with marbled glass, and the upper tier is painted with an Arabesque device; from this tier spring the arches already named, which are glazed with ornamental glass, and help to light the building. There are other windows in each of the galleries, likewise filled with ornamental glass, but the principal light is derived from the sky-light (thirty feet in diameter) in the centre of the dome, and small apertures formed by two intersecting squares with which the lower part of the dome is pierced. The prevailing colour of the dome is blue, powdered with gold stars and triangles is sexfoil patterns. Every other portion of the interior capable of receiving it has been highly enriched with colour, so that whichever way the spectator may turn, a beautiful variety of Avell-blended tints and graceful patterns charms the eyesThis is unquestionably the most striking building of the kind, and the only one of this order of architecture that has been erected in this country, and reflects the greatest credit on all concerned, both for its general arrangement and for the beauty of its design. The machinery and fittings are not yet forward enough to allow us to describe them, but there is a vast quantity* ready, to all appearance, for being fitted and finished.

The Dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral.— Mr. Parris, the artist, has just completed his floating gallery iu the cupola of St. Paul’s Cathedral, to carry out the important restoration of the paintings of Sir James Thornhill, which adorn the interior. The paintings, which have long been obliterated, owing to a leakage iu the upper part of the dome, represent the principal events in the life of St. Paul, in eight compartments of the cupola. On the occasion of Prince Albert’s visit to the cathedral a few days since, in company with the Duke of Wellington and Sir William Molesworth, the Chief Commissioner of Woods and Works, to inspect the proposed site in the crypt for the reception of the late Duke of Wellington’s remains, the Prince devoted much time in examining the model of the plan by which the renovation of the pictures is to bo effected. Viewed from the pavement of the cathedral, the construction seems the most curious thing imaginable—namely, a leaf-like kind of platform of boards floating in mid-air some 200 feet high. The great cornice where the paintings begin is GO feet above the whispering gallery, and the cupola rises GO feet perpendicularly, altogether 220 feet from the pavement of the cathedral. The light is obtained from twentyfour windows between the cornice and the whispering gallery, consequently the paintings are lighted from below. All previous propositions for the purposes of their renovation have been to erect a scaffold right up from the base. These, however, have been uniformly objected to on two grounds—namely, it would interfere with the regular service, and it would leave the artist in darkness, as it would be necessary to cover the whole surface—a diameter of 100 feet—with flooring. The plan in operation by Mr. Parris obviates these difficulties, it is only on reaching the whispering gallery that its character can be properly estimated. It comprises two galleries, —one on a level with the great cornice, and the other some 80 feet above it, in the spring of the cupola. The flooring of each is sustained by poles, firmly secured, one end riveted into ringbolts inserted into and through the solid masonry of the cupola (two feet and a half in thickness), and secured with iron plates on the outside, while the further end is supported by strong wire ropes secured above through the upper gallery to the framework of the over dome. The present platform only occupies one-eighth part of the circumference of the cupola, so that when one compartment is finished the gallery is shifted round to the next compartment, and so on till the restoration of the whole paintings is completed. It is said to he the intention of the Dean and Chapter to follow up the ideas of Sir Christopher Wren to the fullest extent. — Ob server.

The remains of Mr. Maurice O’Connell, M.P. were interred by the side of those of his lather, in Glassnevin Cemetery. Lord Gilbert Grosvenor is now at New York, serving as lieutenant on board ol ILM.S. Lcauder, which conveyed the Earl of Ellesmere, as Commissioner to the American Crystal Palace Exhibition. Another railway disaster had taken place at East Boomfiehl, Mass, causing one death, and injuring several persons very severely. The disaster was said to be solely owing to the negligence of the switch tender. The Maine Liquor Law had been approved by the people of Michigan by a majority of ten thousand people. Gavazzi was at New York lecturing on the “Freedom of Speechin doing which he entered at length upon the Montreal and Quebec riots. Mortality was said to be very rife about New York. Several persons, principally labourers, had died of sun-stroke on the 22nd. The weather had since that become more cool. General Slather had died at Cincinnati on the 23rd June. ThePresidentof the United States had recovered from his recent indisposition ; he visited Sir Charles Lyell, who was at Washington on the 24th, and went with him to the several points of interest in and around the American capital. The Law of Divorce.— The first report of the Commissioners appointed by her Majesty to inquire into the law of divorce, and more particularly into the inode of obtaining divorces a vincula matrimonii , has been laid before Parliament. After an elaborate summary of the history of the law from the earliest times, and a sta.oment of the inconveniences occasioned by its present state, the Commissioners proceed to make various suggestions as to the alterations and improvements which they think may be made in the law with prudence aud safety. 1 lie principal of these suggestions are, that the distinction between divorce a mensa ct thoro and divorce a vinculo matrimonii shall still be maintained, hut that the latter shall be allowed for adultery only, and that a verdict at law and an ecclesiastical sentence shall not be considered as preliminary conditions wbicli must be complied with before it can bo obtained. They recommend that the existing mode of ob aining a divorce a vinculo shall no longer be continued, but that a new tribunal shall be constituted to try all questions of divorce, and also all matrimonial questions now determined in the ecclesiastical courts, and that this tribunal shall consist of u Vice-Chancellor, a common law Judge, and a Judge ot the Ecclesiastical Courts. Lastly they recommend that there shall he only ono appeal from the decree ol the Court, aud that the appta' shall be earned to the House of Lords.

The Bishop of Durham lately subscribed towards the building fund of the fourth United Presbyterian Congregation, Newcastle. His Lordship has also given a contribution to free Bethesda Chapel, Gateshead, from Mr. Deas has been elevated to the Scotch judgeship, vacant by the resignation oi Lord C uniugname. Mr. Deas delivered his first speech at the bar before Lord Cringletie ui 182§,

The Postmaster General is taking measures for establishing a money-order system between Great Britain and the colonies. So far as relates to the receipt and payment of money in the colonies, and to its transmission to and from the United Kingdom, his lordship intends to avail himself of the agency of ordinary banks, except in any case where the colonial postal arrangements are not under Lis direction, and where the authorities of the colony may prefer to undertake this business themselves. The receipt and payment of money in the mother country will form a branch of the money-order system already existing. Advertisements will shortly appear inviting tenders from bankers tor the performance of the duties referred to.

SCULPTURE FOR THE LONDON CORPORATION.— -Oue readers are aware of the determination on the part of the corporation to commission the production of a certain number of statues for the adornment of the Man-sion-house—a determination for which they and their architect, Mr. Banning, deserve the warm thanks of all who are interested in the progress of the fine arts of this country. In carrying out their intention, the corporation wisely avoid competition; they visited various studios, and then named, by ballot, six sculptors, who should each be commissioned to produce an ideal figure from one of the English poets. The artists selected are Messrs, Bailey, M‘Dowell, Foley, Lough, Calder Marshall, and Thrupp; and they Lave each submitted a sketch, in plaster, of their design, one-fourth the real size, which is to be somewhat larger than life. The subjects are—following the same order .as the names—- “ Bright Morning Star," Milton; “Leah," from Moore’s “ Lives of Angels “ Egeria," from Byron’s “ Childe HaroldComus, Griselda, and a figure called the “ Lion Slayer," unappropriated. This last is, to be withdrawn, and a substitute provided. The statuettes for the most part promise very well; but, being little more than sketches, everything will depend on the manner in which they are carried out, and for this of course the corporation depend on the reputation of the sculptors. We sincerely hope that the result will prove satisfactory.— The Builder. From the London Patriot we have the following in reference to the intended re-opening of the Mission to Madagascar in connection with the London Misionary Society:—“ The donations received or promised to enable the London Missionary Society to recommence the missions in Madagascar now exceed £7,000. The Rev. W, Ellis is on the point of embarkation for the Cape of Good Hope, as the representative of the directors to the new Government of Madagascar. Mr. Ellis goes out to collect precise information on the present and probable character of the native Government, and the possibility of securing for British missionaries, not merely admittance to the country, but freedom and protection in the prosecution of their labours. So soon as information received shall warrantee step, the directors will bold themselves in readiness to send forth several missionaries, including one conversant with medicine and surgery, another acquainted with the art of printing, and a third specially prepared to devote his energies to the important work of education.

The French Government and Scottish Agriculture —Some time ago the French Government appointed a deputation of seven scientific gentlemen to visit this country, and to examine and report upon the state of agriculture, and more especially to examine the system of high farming pursued in Scotland. The deputation have been located in this city for some time back, and they have made a minute examination of the system pursued on the best farms in Mid-Lothian. They are now visiting Stirlingshire, on a similar errand, but their head quarters will be in Edinburgh until the examination is concluded. Extraordinary Robbery in a Glasgow Bank.— Glasgow, Saturday.— This forenoon a young man named Andrew Wallace, proceeded to the Western Bank, in Miller street, to cash a cheque for £7OO for his employers, Messrs. D. and J. Macdonald, sewed muslin manufacturers. The teller banded him the money, consisting of four £IOO notes, five £lO notes, and the remainder in small notes. Wallace counted the large notes, amounting to £450 and laid them aside on the counter, while he proceeded to look over the small notes. When so engaged, a well-dressed person came behind him on the left side and hurriedly asked him to point out the manager’s room. Wallace looked round, and indicating with his head, said, “To the left.” “ Which of the doors ?” said the stranger. The clerk told him, and immediately turned round to resume the counting of the small notes. He saw in a moment that the parcel of large notes, viz. £450, had disappeared, and exclaimed, “My money is gone!” Mr. Crawford, a respectable citizen, who was transacting business in the bank beside Wallace, said, “ I saw a gentleman lift a parcel of notes from before you, and there he is, leaving the bank at this very moment and certainly at the ins ant a man was seen hurriedly receding from the gloss-door which opens to the street. Wallace hastily snatched up the small notes and rushed out, but by this time tbe thief had got to the bottom of Miller-sireet, and mixed in the crowd continually rolling along Argyll-street. Wallace could not have identified the thief, even though he had come alongside of him ; for, in point of fact, while the one fellow engaged the clerk’s attention on the left side, his associate came up on the right, and hastily snatched the money, and Wallace, consequently, never saw him. Tbe thief who inquired for the manager’s room vanished amid the confusion, and, allhough £IOO has been offered as a rewaid, «s yet there are no traces of either the culprits or the money. The perpetrators of the robbery are supposed to be English thieves.— Time i No less than forty applications for female servants havereacntly been made to the master of the Marylebone workhouse, who cannot recommend one from that house, although its inmates number 1820. A challenge has been sent by Herr Harwitz to Mr. Staunton, tbe celebrated chess-player, to play a match of the first eleven games for fifty guineas. It has created quite a sensation in the chess world, from the wellknown talqjts of both gemlemen. The ground fur the New Metropolitan Cattle Market at Copenhagen Fields is staked out, and workmen will be immediately employed at it. The ground proposed to be covered amounts to upwards of seventy acres; of this number over thirty acres will be appropriated to lairs, and nine acres to roadway.

A return to the House of Commons was recently issued, from which it appears that the receipts from railways in the United Kingdom, in the half-year ended the 3('th June last, was £7,195,551 3s. 9£d.; and in the corresponding period of 1851, £9,749,5121185. 9-£ d. The landed proprietors aud leading agriculturists of Tamworth have lormed a society for the purpose of engaging the services of an analytical chemist, to render such professional assistance as may be required, with a view to a more regular and scientific application of the principles of chemistry to the cultivation of the soi l .

The Chambers of Commerce seemed in earnest about commercial law reform. A very important and unanimous meeting had been held in Liverpool. Delegates were present from all parts of the country, who decland that the establishment of tribunals of commerce must be insisted upc n. The movement in favour of the establishment of a Museum of Inventions, that has been commenced in many of the chief seats of manufacuring industry in England, is constantly extending itself, further memorials, on the subject having been addressed to the Government and the Royal Commissioners, by Glasgow and Sheffield, signed in both cases by the leading inhabitants of those towns. Memorials had been presented to Prince Albert from Sheffield and Glasgow. They expressed the opinion of the memorialists that such an institution had long been needed, and that would command the zealous support of all who take an interest in the industrial development of the country. It is understood that the Commissioners of Patents, with whom the Boatd of Trade has entered into communication on the subject, are fully alive toils importance, and that Professor Woodcrolt is, under their directions, making every exertion, and with greatsuccess, towi.rds collecting such models of inventions and works having reference to them, as may form a nucleus for the contemplated National Museum and Library of Inventions at Kensington. Temporary accommodation will be provided by the Patent Commissioners and by. the Royal Commission until the question of the erection of an appropriate building for the due display of the collection is decided.

The committee of the Great Industrial Exhibition for Soo’land have reported that it is desirable the exhi bition should take place next year, so as not to interfere with the French one in 1855. Relic of Columbus.— The Espana announces that the <*eneral autograph charts of the pilot Juan de la the companion of Columbus in bis discovery of the New World, lias been purchased in Paris, by oid j r of the Spanish government, for the sum ol 4000f. It lately belonged to Baron Walkenaer, whose library was sold some weeks ago in Paris. A new invention for producing beer in a stone-like mass has been discovered in Bohemia. On infusion in water it dissolves, and froths up into a palatable beverage. Several English houses have turned their attention toil. . Stolen Idol*.— The silver image of the Madonna della Consolazione at Tuiin, presented in 1833 by Queen Maria Christina, relict of Charles Felix, of the value of 40,000 francs, has been stolen. At Casal a golden urn, containing the ashes of St. Evasus, has likewise been made away with. A weeping willow, of large size, grown from a cutting of the willow which overhangs Napoleon’s tomb at St. Helena, has been presented to the Emperor of the French, by a nureery-man, and has been placed in the garden of the palace of St. Cloud,