The Express.
London, England, 1851-02-19 00:00:00

THE GREAT EXHIBITION.

The Chamber of Commerce of Lyons has consented,
in compliance with the request of the Minister of
Commerce, by a unanimous resolution, to resume the
direction of Lyons contributions to the London Ex-
hibition.

S esterday morning different portions of the build-
ing in Hyde park, were subjected, by the royal commis-
sioners, to various and severe tests as to their strength.
The performance of this experiment, which wan completely
satisfactory, was honoured by the presence of her Majesty,
hi. Royal Ilighne.s Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales,
the youthful members of the royal family, and the royal
suite. Earl Granville and Mr. W. Cubitt, C.E., royal
commissioners; Mr. I. K. Brunel, Mr. Locke, M.l'., Mr.
Field, and a few other eminent professional gentlemen were
present. Col. Reid, R.E., Mr. Cole, Mr. Dilke, Mr.
Dowring, Dr. Lyon Mayfair, Mr. Wyatt, &c., were in

CLERICAL.
PRZFERNIEN.I:9.

Rey. M. F. Dudgeon, to Cratf vicarage, Suffolk, value
116/. ; on the presentation of the ltev. E Rolland, &Oran
Lodge. Suffolk.
Rev. J. Dallas, to Litfield vicarage, Sufi'. ilk, value 220/.;
on the presentation of the Rev. E. !Lifland, Benhali Lodge,
Suffolk.

DE.Tftt:CTIVE FlRE.—This morning, at a few
minutes past three, a fire broke out in the extensive pre-
mises belonging to Meson. Wig4ll. and White, hop mer-
chants, situate in Dukc-street, Borough. Some flames were
discovered in the kitchen ; and scarcely had the inmates
effected their escape before the house was in a general
blaze. The work of conflagration now reached the immense
pile of warehouses in Toolcy-street, and, from the combusti-
ble nature of their contents a great destruction of property
et once seemed inevitable. The floating engine, with others
front the various stations having arrived, they were
set to work immediately; at 1 p.m. the fire was raging with
greater violence than ever. So great was the body of flume
within the premises, that were it night almost the whole of
the metropolis would have been illuminated. Two floats
ing engines, with several land one., of the London brigade
and West of England Company, were being worked by se-
veral hundred men hired for the occasion ; but there seemed
no likelihood of the conflagration being arrested fur some
time. One thing is quite certain, that the fire cannot be
entirely extinguished for several days; the firemen arc
therefore employed in preventing any other premises becom-
ing ignited. Judging from the appearance of the flames,
there seemed every probability of the entire clump of ware-
houses in Duke-street from London-bridge and the land
side of Tootey-street, being destroyed. So dense was the
smoke emitted from the blazing piles that the firemen were
nearly stifled during their operations. Mr. Alderman
Humphrey, the landlord of most of the buildings on fire,
had arrived, and given instructions to the firemen as to the
construction of the various buildings. At one o'clock, the
whole range of warehouses in Duke-street, belonging to
Messrs. Wigan and Co., the hop-factors, were destroyed,
with the costly contents. No. 5, iet Duke-stmt,
the property of 'Mr. J. Wynn, bootinaker, is partially
destroyed. N 0.3, in the same street, belonging to Mr. O.
Bottom, coffee-shop keeper, is also seriously burned. No.
1, in the same thoroughfare, Mr. Smithey, fishmonger,
has the back part destroyed. The hat warehouse of Mr.
Lawson, at the corner of the bridge, is also seriously da-
maged. Nothing approximating to an official report of the
damage done can as vet be made, and it is doubtful whether
Mr. Brentwood will be able to prepare, a correct account of
the damages until late to-night.
DESTRUCTION BY FIRE or LORD MAYNE'S' SEAT

TnE ImLE or WIGHT.—A fire took place on Monday, at
Binstead, Isle of Wight, the seat of 3lajor-Oeneral Lord
Downi-, which was totally consumed. Ilinstead is one mile
from ltyde, whence an engine was despatched: but it was of
little service, in consequence of the combustible nature of the
building—part being very old, and covered with thatch.
Very little of the furniture was saved. It was stated that
her ladyship lost 30,0001. worth of jewels. His lordship
and familr were crossing from Portsmouth, and saw the
conflagration from the deck of the steamer; they were
coming to Binstead for a short time, the house haying
been prepared for their reception. The cause of the tire
was the careless way in which a stove had been set in the
study. The:wall between this mom and the drawing-room
was but half a brick thick ; this had been knocked away,
and the store thrust against the battening, which was Ciu-
raved.

TUE GREAT GLOBE HOLSE.—Our readers know
that the centre of Leici ster-square is the spot fixed upon
for the erection of a building to receive Mr. Wyld's intended
great Globe. After much difficulty, and the payment of no
lees than 3,0001., the arrangement fur the ground is now
completed. The building is to be of a circular form, 00
feet across, enclosing the Globe, of 60 feet in diameter.
Corridors for promenade will surround it, and it is to have
four covered approaches from the sides of the square. The
external elevation at the sides is proposed to be 20 feet high,
surmounted bye large bell-shaped roof of tine. The build-
ing itself will be mainly of Limb T. the inner surface of the
Globe of plaster of Paris. In the centre of the Globe will
be a series of galleries, four in number, constru:ted so as to
enable visitors to see every portion of the model. These
galleries, it is said, will afford actommolation for 1,000 or
1,500 persons at one time, and are to be approached by spiral
staircases in the centre. The entrance is to be at the south
of the Globe. Mr. Welch is the areh;tict. litakrer.
Dk:VON PORT, FEB. 17.—The Athol store chip, Licut.
w. A. It. Pearse, arrived on Tu.sslay, and took in stoles
for Ascension. She was paid advance on Wednesday, and
sailed for her destination.