Going to the pictures...in 1828?

Neutronale

Or at least what passsed for the pictures in 1828 :eek:

After visiting the Courts of Justice, the Custom-house, and other magnificent
buildings, I was going home, when I was tempted by the advertisement of a
‘Peristrephic Panorama’ of the battle of Navarino. This is a very amusing
sight; and gives so clear an idea of that ‘untoward event,’ that one may
console one's self for not having been there. You enter a small theatre,—the
curtain draws up, and behind it is discovered the pictures which represent, in
a grand whole, the series of the several incidents of the fight. The canvas
does not hang straight down, but is stretched in a convex semicircle, and moved
off slowly upon rollers, so that the pictures are changed almost imperceptibly,
and without any break between scene and scene. A man describes aloud the
objects represented; and the distant thunder of cannon, military music, and the
noise of the battle, increase the illusion. By means of panoramic painting, and
a slight undulation of that part which represents the waves and the ships, the
imitation almost reaches reality.

The first scene represents the bay of Navarino with the whole Turkish fleet
in order of battle. At the opposite extremity of the bay is seen Old
Navarino and its fortress perched on a high rock; on the side of it the
village of Pylos, and in the foreground the city of Navarino with
Ibrahim's camp, where groups of fine horses, and beautiful Greek prisoners
surrounded by their captors, attract the eye. In the distance, just at the
extremity of the horizon, the allied fleets are faintly descried. This picture
slowly disappears, and is succeeded by the open sea,—the entrance to the bay
of Navarino then gradually succeeds. You distinguish the armed men on the
rocks, and at length see the allied fleet forcing the passage. By some optical
deception everything appears of its natural size; and the spectator seems to be
placed in the Turkish position in the bay, and to see the admiral's ship, the
Asia, bearing down upon him with all sails set. You see Admiral
Codrington on the deck in conversation with the captain. The other vessels
follow in extending lines, and with swelling sails, as if ready for the
attack;—a glorious sight! Next follow the separate engagements of the several
ships, the explosion of a fireship, and the sinking of some Turkish frigates.
Lastly, the engagement between the Asia and the Egyptian admiral's ship on the
one side, and the Turkish on the other, both of which, as you know, sank after
an obstinate defence of many hours.

The battle is succeeded by some views of Constantinople, which give a
very lively idea of Asiatic scenes and habits.

http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T820002-001/index.html