Our readers are aware that the interior of the cupola of this
magnificent cathedral, represents the life of St. Paul, painted by Sir
James Thornhill; but the neglect and decay of this grand specimen of
pictorial decoration may not be so well known. The great expense of
erecting a scaffold sufficient for its restoration, appears to have
been the principal difficulty, added to the want of artists
experienced in this department of art. These obstacles, however, we
trust have been surmounted by Mr. E.T. Parris, of whose talents we
spoke in our account of the Colosseum, and who has just completed a
model of an apparatus for getting at large domes. The model has
already been approved by an experienced architect, and submitted to
the dean and chapter of St. Paul's; so that the restoration of Sir
James Thornhill's labours presents an excellent opportunity for the
immediate application of Mr. Parris's machinery; whilst its
accomplishment would be the means of rewarding individual ingenuity,
and rescuing from decay a valuable triumph of British genius.
_Instantaneous Lights_.
Oxymuriate matches must "hide their diminished heads" before the
recent invention of a method of obtaining light, by merely compressing
a match, which inflames instantaneously. These matches are called
_Prometheans_, and comparing small things with great, we know not a
better name to imply the scientific age to which the invention
belongs.
_Fossil Fish_.
Mr. Mantell, of Lewes, has lately added to his museum a fine specimen
of a fossil fish, discovered in a bed of clay belonging to the Hasting
sand formation. Similar remains are abundant in the strata of Tilgate
Forest, in the white rock at Hastings, and in the sandstone quarries
near Tunbridge Wells; but they consist, for the most part, of detached
scales only.
_Wonders of Art_.
Among the last we notice the model of a boat for aërial navigation,
lately sent to the French Academy from Rome; and the patent taken out
at Paris for a coach with one wheel only, to accommodate 30 or 40
passengers. The perfection of the latter scheme in England would
render indispensable a complete revision of our Turnpike Acts.
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