Star. — London, England, 1824-11-20 00:00:00

bitzabßiL itRE i v itbDatunort. 'TO THE ROITOR OF THE STAR. liesrsaacur, Not. 17, HA1.2.2.412 gliVl2l . Mi MAR Sift—l sit down to write you a few hur kied lines, *containing further particulars than those enumerated In the Sealyham Newspaper, of which I have sent you a copy-. The scene, at half-past five this morning, as Mentioned in that paper, was as awfully grand and sublime as it was heart-rending and fright ful. At the hour of six, when the east angle of the Par liament-square, seven stories high, and with a line of fourteen windows to the front, and above twenty to the back, was in one mass of flame, I considered the whole c ity gone: the south angle was burning too, but not to the extent, at the same moment. At eight, A.P.I. the m assy thiclewalls . partly fell, with a tremendous crash : only one artilleryman was injured—l fear mortally ; another, and two of the Royals, sprung from the piazza on which theystood directing the engine into the windows of the south angle, and were safe. At 12, the fire raged in the Cowgate; and the Lord Provost carried off the engines, in defiance of the protests of the Lord Presi dent of the Court, Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Advocate, and King's Remembrancer. These individuals instantly set above one hundred men to work to pull down the only remaining land adjoining, the Court of Session, which is eleven stories to the hack. This has saved these Courts. The newly fitted-up Jury Court and Chambers in the east and south angle of the square are gone, on which, it is said, 40,0601. have been eipended. At'fbur, this afternoon, another wall give, way, and only one of a party of men is saved. This man I hav e lust conversed with : betells me there were about a score, he thinks, with him, directing the three Naval yard engines. All these are buried. Three have been got out ; but they are only the remains of men. Farther I need not shock you by narrating. They had evidently bean instantaneously launched into eternity. The ruins cannot be approached to dig for the rest ! Melancholy to relate, the gable•of the east angle of the I'arliament-square, which forms consequently a part oe the south angle, and has long been known as the highest house in the city (some calling it fifteen or sixteen stories high, but In which I could never make more than eleven or twelve, I think), stands solitary, thre aching destruction to the numerous dwellings beneath. The houses, of course, are deserted, and military stationed at all the avenues, tq prevent access. Having procured two kites, a Gentleman tried to fly one over the tops of these ruins, from the top of the court, xvith a line at tached to the tail, in order to get up a cord; but the rain destroyed his kites, and his s efforts were unavail ing. Some seem to think this a netu 'fire, because it was to windward of the other. It is true, those sparks blew to the eastward, which ascended above the hopses in Ilames; but this far I know, that all this morning I worked at the engines to windward of the burning lands, and frequently we had to stand for many minutes, and work with our eyes shut, amidst a heavy fall of sparks, as thick as any snow storm. The houses now burned are not a hundred feet to windward of those on fire last right, and *hen -sparks did not rise to the level of the tops of the houses, they flew with raging and whirling fury in all directions. Our streets are covered with furniture, watched by the most miserable creatures. If I said hundreds were 1), useless, in my last, I should say thousands now, were the Lord Provost's foresight not so praiseworthy in pro curing Queensberry Barracks for the unfortunate. There is no business done—our Court of Session ad journed—the King's Signet actually removed from the Office to the Deputy Keeper's house—half the shop. keepers with their shops empty, and others with their goods ready packed. In fact, the loan cannot be said to be tranquil, and few will lay down to sleep in security in the Old Town to-night. QUARTER PAST EIOHT.--Mhe fire is pretty well got under, but the streets are so full of military that I can not get near : the wind is still very high. I forgot to mention that an opening has bee.l made in the middle of the street, from the Castle to' the High -street, to carry down a stream of water.—At three o'clock, a house in Carrubber's-close, a great way down the street, took fire from the sparks, but it was soon got under. FURTHER PARTICULARS. FROM THE SCOTSMAN. It is out melancholy duty - to record the most cola mitobs and destructive fire—we may rather say—series of flees, ever witnessed in this city. It broke out about ten o'clock on Monday evening, in a tenement at the bead of the Old Assembly Close, High -street, and in premises, as we are informed, occupied by Mr. Kirk wood the engraver. The alarm having been speedily given by the Police, the fire engines followed one after another to the spot. From various obstacles, a considerable period elapsed before they could be brought into action, and even then ti:e fire, which appeared almost simultaneously in the third story and the top story, was in too high a si tuation to admit of their operating with much effect. Till 11 o'cloct nothing but smoke was seen in front ; and appearances seemed to indicate that very ordinary exertions would be sufficient to subdue the fire. About eleven, fl Imes appeared in the windows of the third flat, and spread with such rapidity, that. before twelve, it blazed out in immense volumes.from all the windows, and when the roof afterwards began to fall in, the ouilding, with the exception of the ground flat, pre sented one most terrific mass of flame.—The deAruc vire element seized upon this tenement in the first instance, but it was soon evident that it had com municated to the contiguous building on the west. Unfortunately it spread by the upper stories, which the engines could not effectually reach. About one, both tenements wet e blazing almost from top to bottom. The spectacle was awfully sublime. The night was cool, with a low breeze from the south west; and the moon and stars seen through the whirling clouds of fiery flakes and sparks appeared of a pale blue colour. The heat vests now so intense, that ff was not possible to ex _ pose the face to it fot any inset of time from the win dcnsa of our printing-office, which is rifht opposite, and at the distance of a hundred feet. fhe street at this' time ptvsented a most extraordinary scene. Belok add above the flaming buildings to some distance, the inha bitants had caught the alarm. Furniture, books, 'beds, clothes, casks, drapery, were carried down the stains, or thrown from the windows,and lay piled confusedly on the street, from which they were carried, away to the Police office court, the Parliament-square, Royal Exchangeakc. —Mixed with these were the firemen with half a dozen of engines, around whom a space was kept partially cleared by the military. Behind this up and down was seen one dense mass of heads as far as the eye could pene trate the murky gloom. The burning tenements, like all those of an old date, had in them a very great pro portion of wood. This increased the blaze ; and the showers of burning embers, flakes, and sparks, wafted by the wind over the town. spread terror even among those who lived at some distance. Twice there was a new alarm of fire raised in other parts of the street, but it proved in each case to be merely in the chimney.— From the second tenement the flames now sprea d to a third, still to the westward ; and from the third, about two or three in the morning, to a fourth—namely, the tenement next the Old Fishmarket Close, the first flat of, which is the publishing office of the t dinburgh Courant. Fortunately the thick and solid gable of the building beyond this arrested the progress of the devouring ele ment in that direction. But long before this it had dif fused itself backward among the old tenements on the two sides of Borthwick's Close. The engines had been playing occasionally all this time; but with extremely little effect ; the narrowness of the closes and the height of the buildings were great obstacles ; but it must be added there was a total want of order, arrangement, and combination in wo►king them.—Where they could be brought to bear upon the flames, their power was great. In the front tenement the fire had sunk so far by seven o'clock yester►las morning as to be no longer alarming—having by that time nearly exhausted its aliment, though some days may elapse before the embers cease to burn. In the back tenements it wat'nearly subdued by eleven o'clock. l The four front tenements occupy a space of about 120 feet in length, and are in general six stories high.. The buildings destroyed behind extend about as tar down towards the Cowgate. NVe have described the effects of the fire as they were seen from our own office. From a greater distance we are assured the effects were awfully grand. Looking southwards from the head of Duke•stieet, the heavens seemed on fire; and on getting to St. Andrew's-square, though the site of the conflagration was more distinctly seen, the apprehended effects were only rendered the more tremendous. Abstracted from the sense of danger to friends and neighbours, the broken masses of the old town, its chimnies and spires, now thrown into shade, now fiercely illuminated by the raging flames, and seen through showers of living fire, presented a scene at once wild, terrific, and sublime. A nearer approach changed the feeling. Pity was excited by the condition of the poor —men, women, and children, driven front their houses, carrying in their hands some miserable remnant of their furniture, but without a penny to obtain food, or a house to shelter them. Wonder was often felt at the daring hardihood of individuals who were seen forcing their way into apartments enveloped in smoke and flame. But the general effect of the whole scene was of a sedative character—powerfully impressing the mind with the idea that men were feeble beings, sported with by elements over which they had no controul. The engines remained in the street during Tuesday, forenoon, to keep down the fire, which shewed a ten dency now and then to rise from the smoulder ing ashes, and the wind, which had increased to a strong gale, still scattered fiery showers. About 12 o'clock, a cry burst ing from the crowd in the street, announced that the 'spire of the Tron Church was set on fire by some of these flying brands. The upper part being composed entirely of wood, the flames socnmade their A ay through it, while the lead covering was seen potfring down its sides. In a short time it was completely enveloped in flame, presenting a most singular spectacle. Its pillars being undermined, the wooden part fell to the eastward, with a great crash. Some fragments of the burnt beams fell upon the roof of the Church, but they were either removed or extinguished by the men placed there. The body of the Church escaped with little injury, but the carpentry of the spire was consumed to the bottom. This second fire was nearly subdued by four o'clock, and it was hoped that the conflagration had reached its close. But at ten o'clock yesternight a new fire burst out in the high old tenement at the south-east corner of the Parliament-square, which reaches back towards the Cowgate. It commenced on the top flat (from what cause is unknown, for it is situated to windward of the buildings previ usly burned, and had not the smallest connection with them). By eleven, this huge old pile, nine or ten stories in height, was blazing in the upper flats ; and by three this morning, all its floors and wood-work were burned down to the foundation.' The strong wind has carried the burnt matter over the buildings to the eastward, even in greater abundance than on Monday. No one knows ,where the mischief will terminate, and a general feeling of alarm has dif fused itself through the Old Town. The proprietors of all the buildings of much value, have stationed men on their roofs, to prevent any of the floating embers from fixing on the wood-work. Sir William Forbes and Co. have removed their books, and the Crown Officers have been taking precautions for the safety of the Par liament House and Court of Exchequer. One of the most pitiable scenes, rising out of the present calamity, was exhibited at .the police.oifice on Monday night and yesternigbt. The upper court was filled with moveables of every possible description ; the receiving room, lower court, &c. with every variety of character. Women and children seeking shelter; the wounded seeking help ; constables .seeking flambeaus; the owners and occupiers of destroyed houses seeking space and security for books, papers, and valuable pro perty; the curious and the officious; the destitute, the criminal, the alarmed, the intoxicated, and the MOM porarily deranged, were all congregated together. • The number of persons who received bodily injuries at the fire on Monday night was seventeen, of whom three ate dangerdusly hurt. Last night a fireman and a dragoon were seriously wounded, and carried to the Infirmary. There are probably more suffeters,.of whom we have not yet heard. The member of poor families burned out and plunged into the depths of misery and want issreat ; but it will gratify the Public to know that the Lad Provost made immediate application to the Officers of Goveinment, and olgained the use of Queensberry House to afford temporary shelter co those who have been thus deprived of their homes. This was a- well judged and humane act. Indeed the Lord Provost has beta eiceedingly 'active an.] anarodk 'an I has ekette.l Mtich yond what the state of his health rendered prudent or safe. The Dean of Guild and Magistrates have alsd been most attentive, and all the subordinate function aries have shewn /ea': !kir. Cameroii Attended the whaled Monday night to insure i supply at water. 'lie Superintendant of Police,and we may add the stirgeon,ex erted themselves greatly. We are sorry we cannot extend our praise to the engine department : the want of or ganization here ought to be made known: in Edinburgh, hitherto, neither the Magistracy nor the Police have had either engines or men for working them, of their own, or disciplined by themselves. Engines were kept by such Insurance Offices as chose to do so—and in such manner, and with such men as they chose; and, in ac tion, the men, jealous of each other, were under no pro per subordination. Nor has anybody, as yet, been or ganized for working - the engines, and supplying them with water. 'recently, however, a tieaty has been formed with most of the Insurance-Offices for placing their engines in the hands of the police, and subset ibing a suns towards the expense of maintaining them. A superintendent of fire engines had also been appointed, but, unluckily, this fire broke out before it was possible for him to have the engines transferred, put in order, and men employed, taught, and organized. From the terrible consequences which, it is now seen, may arise from lite in Edinburgh, we must have these matters put upon a proper footing, let the tax upon the inhabitants generally be what it may. • . Six, A.M.—The flames have now communicated to the large range of tenements between John's Coffee house and the inner angle of the square, so that the destruc tion of the whole of the east side of the squate is cer tain. Theme is every prospect that the tenements ad joining to the Exchequer Court will be saved. ELEVEN, A M.— At eight o'clock the lands in the Par liament-square, fell down with a piodigiotis crash. Islo material alteration, we believe, has since taken place, the engines still continue to play at' the places where danger is apprehended, end it is to be hoped that, from the measures that are taken, the ravages of the fit e may at 1:45t be stopt. We hear that in the course of the morn ing two soldiers have been 'killed, and several persons danger ously wounded. The city still continues in a state of the deepest agitation and alarm. PROM THE EDINBURGH WEEKLY JOURNAL, NOV. 17TH. DESTRUCTION OF THE TRON CHURCH STEEPLE. While the fire was raging in the "houses behind where it originated, and exactly at a quarter before 12 o'clock, the Steeple of the Tron Church was discovered to be on fire. Cries were immediately raised on every side to save the Church, and every nerve was strained to ac- complish this object. Engines were dispatched, but were not of powersufficient to make the least impression on the increasing strength of the fire, for in a few mi nutes the whole of that part of the steeple, which was of wood, was enveloped in flames; the danger from the molten lead from the roofs prevented the firemen from approaching near enough to render any assistance; yet even at this juncture many persons ventured into the Church to save property which had previously been removed from the houses that were burning, and deposited there as a place 'of security. In three quarters of an. hour, the upper part of the steeple fell to the ground with a dreadful crash. All danger from the lead being now removed, several per sons got on the lower roof to prevent the fire from communicating with the body of the church, and in this situation, a mass of the flaming beams which com posed the frame-work of the steeple fell among them, amid shrieks of terror from the spectators—fortunately done were hurt. At this juncture, and after the church had been in flames for a considerable time, the wind blowing strong from the westward, a most powerful engiii, belonging to the Board of Ordnance, arrived from Leith, which being directed by Deacon T. Field, slater, and assisted by other individuals, the fire was not only confined to the steeple, but very soon got coin/ pletely under. We have no doubt that, but for this powerful assistance, the whole of the church would have fallen a prey to the flames. ANOTHER CONFLAGRATION. TUaSDAY NIGHT, PAST . TEN O'CLoOK.— Another alarm has been made of fire having broke out in the iouth range of buildings of the Parliament Close. This is quite distinct from, and in no connection with, that of this morning, being at a considerable distance from it to windward. The flames have burst from two of the windows at top of the east end, as if it were an explosion of gunpowder, and which seemed to threaten with de struction all the surrounding property. The burning has an appearance the most appalling, yet most magni ficent. Under these apartments the new Jury Court room is situated, and to the left of it, Mr. J. W. Brougham's office, the extension of the Exchequer Cham bers, Sir William Forbes and. Co.'s Bank, and the.different Courts;—they seem all- to be threatened with destruc tion. The engines which had got completely under the fire of this morning, and which had, been removed, are arriving, and the town is once morn summoned to be hold a further destruction of property ; for by the power they can bring, they cannot arrest, for one instant, the rapid progress of the all-devouring element. WRUNIADAY MORNING, FOUR O'CLOCK.—The house in the east range, adjoining the one on fire has caught, and no effort can now stop its progress in that direction. The buildings formerly noticed are in comparative safety, the fire.engines having 'succeeded in stopping the connexion there : but the extensive range on the east side, occupied by Mr. Macfarlane, gunsmith, Mr. Clark, Mr. Robertson, and Messrs. Bell and Bi adfute, booksellers, the Water Company's apartments, and numerous Lawyers' writing chambers, besides private families, an extent of building altogether of nearly two hundred feet of front, and towards the Cowgate the height is unqtiestionably the greatest of any house in Edinburgh, being eleven stories from the foundaiion, are still in great danger. Sasixt4 o'CLocK.—Since four o'clock the flames have spread with frightful rapidity, and destroyed every part of the east side of the square, and thus the five of this morning has met with that of five months ago. There is now a continued destruction of property, from the Court-houses to the house below the Old Assembly Close, which is situated fifty yards or more below the Cross, with the single exception Of the house on the upper side of the Old Fish-market Close, and which has been repeatedly in great danger, as well as the Police Office behind, And the Printing-offices of M. Moir, Mr. Laurie, and Mr. Aitchison. EIGHT o'CLocK, iloßNlzco.—The interior walls of the south-east angle, formed by the two sides of the square, have fallen upon the front walls, and precipi tated them into the square in front, and the dust arising from this completely darkened the atmosphere. The rush from the crowd was tremendous :—many persons -777'7717.11r lave been ieeeisely Met; - tali these are iiparts.iii Oita ral killed and missing, for it Was in hoot houses the engines were Worked. 'this had , hoiivrieri *cboaked the fire in this part, and itt the others it.hgl rteil liAbsted itself, having &stilled all within its its* The sparks have ignited d wooden Witting between Conn i t Close and the Covenant Close, and it is now id full blay.e. Detachments of military ale parading about ; and at this instant; half past eiilht, a strong body of seamen and others, from Leith, with the Leith Ma. giArates, have marched past, mail with hatchets, td lend their a. trance. The number of families who have been sufferers, can. not be calculated at leis than three hundred. Four men, two women, and two boys; were carried to the Infir+ mary in the course of yesterday: A handbill has been posted by order of the Lord Prri vo,t and Magistrates, requesting the inhabitants, to have the roofs of their houses examined, and to keep people stationed upon thew, to prevmt danger from the sparks which may have been lodged there. RF-KINDLING OF THE FIRE IN FLRET-STREET. Between seven and eight o'clock this morning, a fire broke out in the lower part of the house of Richard Carlile, the bookseller, at the corner of Bride's-passagt, Fleet -street, adjoining the site of the late calamitous fire. On the first alarm, the family were just up, and their terror was sd great in consequence of the thick smoke that issued up stairs. that they were fearful of venturing down; and to escape the devouring element they got on the roof of the house, but here their situation aiSpeared more desperate, asthe house stood alone; the adjoining house of Mr. Mattress, being burned, and no way ap peared left to escape the devouring element. In a few minutes several engines, which were all eady in the neigh bourhood in consequence of the hate fires, arrived, and water being instantly procured, they commenced playing, and in a few minutes the danget wss over, and the inmates rescued from their perilous situation: some e.caped by a ladder, at the second floor windows, and the rest by venturing down stairs. ; It appears that the fire broke in from the ruins of Mr. Mattress's house, the shell of which only remains, and communicating to the back shop of Mr. Carlile, set the floor, counter, and some books, pamphlets, &c. on fire. The back shop is destroyed, with all the works of Paine, &c. The statue which stood in the front shop is preserved, but much injured. The furniture is greatly damaged by the de+ loge of water poured in by the engines. The damage done from the fire is inconsiderable, but the water did a - great deal. The engines, at l i o'clock this forenoon, were playing on the ruins of the adjoining house, which burned up afresh; A SECOND FIRE. This morning, at ten o'clock, a fire was discovered breaking out in the upper part of a house, No. 3, King street, Drury-lase, chiefly occupied by labouring people, who, as well as the inhabitants near it, were thrown into the greatest consternation. By the speedy arrival of an engine, and a good supply of water from a fire-plug directly opposite, the flames were extinguished, bi the roof was destroyed. 4 fil l; . 111 IC tc Ii ai a , ti • FIRE AT FULBOURN, Wednesday mowing, about seven o'clock, the barn. of Mr. John Hancock, at Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire, was discovered to be on fire, and the flames directly communicated with the Rectory fatm, lately taken possession of by Mr. Baker, including all the corn of the late harvest, which, together with the buildiggs, were entirely consumed. The flames then spread across the road, to a house occupied by Mr. John Mason, which was speedily levelled to the ground. The Rec tory-house, occupied by the Rev. R. Fiske, caught fire, and sustained considerable damage before the raging element could be subdued. ~li SPURiiMi INTELLIGENCg HUNTiNG. Sir B. Graham's Hounds meet an Monday, at the" Lizard ; Tues. day, at Sheriff Hales; Thursday, at Prestwood; and Friday, at faitingham. Sir R. Puleston's Fox-hounds meet on Tuesday, at Duckington ; Friday, at Hampton Heath. The Cheshire Hounds meet on Monday, at Barr Bridge • Wed& nesday, at Burleydam ; Thursday, at Cholmondeley ; and Sa turday, at Wrenbury. His Majesty's Stag-bounds meet on Monday, at Maidenhead Thicket; Friday, at Longford. The Earl of Derby's Stag-hounds meet on Tuesday, at Epsom ----- H. Jolliffe, Esq.'s Fox-hounds meet on Monday, at Stapleton Common ; Wednesday, at Horsham. The Surrey Fox-hounds meet on Monday, at Riddiesdown ; Thursday, at Godstone ; Saturday, at Pratt's Bottom. The Surrey Harriers meet on Monday, Wednesday, and &aura day, at Sanderstead. The Warwickshire Fox-hounds meet on Monday, at Pemba. rough House; Tuesday, at Brick-kiln Gorse; Thursday, at Wal.• ford Wood ; Saturday, at Oakley Wood. Earl Fitzwilliam's Hounds meet on Monday, at Sutton Wood; Wednesday, at Stanwick Pastore; Thursday, at Catworth Guide post; Saturday, at Ashton Wold. Lord Yarborough's Hounds meet on Monday, at Acre House; Wednesday, at Kingsforth House; Friday, at etterby Village; Saturday, at Immingham. ASIIDOWN COURSING. MATCUlS.—riarr DAY. Colonel Newport's Nabauclish and Dr. Meyrick's Mabomet, undecided. Mr. Pettat's Pilot beat Mr. Briscars Benedict. Mr. Robert's Rustic beat ;Ir. Goodlake's Gaurey. Mr. Pardoe's Fireaway bete Mr. Cripp's Czar. bird C. Long's Lynx and Mr. Capel's Janette, undecided. Dlr. Blathwayte's Doubtful beat Mr. Cripp's Muffins. Sir H. Vivian's Volabeut beat Mr. Cripp s Crystal. Mr. Capel's Io beat Sir H. Vivian's Vesta. Mr. J. Long's Longtrot and Mr. Robert's Rhea, undecided. Mr. Pettat's Platoir beat Mr. Phillip's Rob Roy. Mr. Pardoe% Feather beat Mr. Browne's Bellona. DILATCIIIII.—SZCOND DAT. Mr. Erbealrs Breeze and Mr. Cripps's Everlasting, undecided. Mr. J. Long's Leopard beat Mr. Pardoe's Fame. Mr. Roberts Rustic and ble. Goodlake's Gaurey, undecided. Mr. Pardoe's ['Osman beat Mr. Philips's Rajah. Mr. Browne's Blue Maid beat Mr. Davenport% Delightful Mr. Brown's Buxom beat Mr. Blathwayte s Doubtful MATCHRS.—THIRD DAY. Dr. Meyrick's Mahomet beat Colonel Newport's Napoleon. Mr.. 1.• Long's Loiterer beat Mr. Capers Juniper. Mr. Pettat's Prudence beat Mr. C. Long's Larissa. Goodlake's Glum beat Mr. E. Cripps% Enterprize. -Mr. C. Long's Leicester and Mr. Cripps s Cato, undecided. blr. Palmer's Alcohol beat Mr. 4. Cripps's Eagle. Mr. Goodlake's Gazette beat Mr. Cripps's Crystal. Mr. Palmer's Alice, and Mr. Capel's Jeminia, no co. 2 hares. Mr.' Browne's Liellona beat Sir H. Vivian's Volaubent. Mr. Capel's Judy beat Mr. Blathwayte's Dadalus. Mr. C. Long's Leabla beat Mr. Cripps's Castanet. Mr. C. Long's Lilliput beat Mr. Briscars Buccaneer. Mr. Pettat's Pilot beat Mr. J. Long's Longtrot. bir. Capel's Juniper beat Mr. Phillips's Rob Roy. Mr. Capers Joan heat Mr. C. Long's Leda. Mr. Capel's In and Mr. Goodlake's Greenfinch, no co. Mr. F. Cripps's Everlasting and Mr. Capel's Janette, undee. Dlr. Capers Jimnta and Mr. Palmer's Alice, under.. Sunday sennight, a sermon was preached -at Black wafer, Hants, by the Reverend WILLIAM Mau, B.A. of Magda. len'eullege, Oxford, for the benefit of the National School of that place. The receipts were considerable.. 1, .