The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-17 00:00:00

TILE CRYSTAL PALACE•

The neighbourhood of the Crystal Palace presented
yesterday an appearance somewhat different from that
which we have been accustomed to note, although still a
considerable bustle was observable. There were no loug
tiles of omnibuses pouring their contents, or long streams of
foot passengers pouring themselves into the building, but
on the other hand fifteen exit doors stood wide open, and
from each poured out a continuous stream of merchandise
into a cordon of waggons that completely surrounded the
building. The British section is already half denuded of
its contents. The soft goods have nearly all been packed and
sent off, the carriages have been summarily wheeled out, and
even the cumbrous machinery begins rapidly to disappear. Of
the lighter description of goods a considerable quantity, has
changed hands, especially the Sheffield ware and cutlery,
people being anxious,:if possible, to secure some memento of
the Exhibition. The presence of this motive has in many
instances caused prices to be obtained which would not be
thought of in open market. In the foreign department
similar celerity is not observable, as, partly from the extra
care required in packing many of the articles, and partly
from the more leisurely habits of our neighbours, much
more time is occupied in the delivery of every package.
The Greek Slave took her departure about 10 o'clock in
the morning, and signs of migration were observable about
others of the statues. It will be some time, however,what with
care,what with leisurely work,what with fiscal requirements,
before the foreign nave and galleries are entirely cleared.
The most noticeable feature of the day's proceedings was
the arrival of five autograph letters from his Royal High-
ness Prince Albert, two to the special commissioners, Dr.
Playfair and Cut. Lloyd, and three to the executive com-
mittee, thanking each gentleman for the share he took in
the great work of the season, and intimating the illustrious
writer's regret that the gold medals intended for them were
not yet ready, in consequence of the indisposition of Mr.
Wynn. The contests of these letters have not transpired in
detail, but it is understood that Dr. Mayfair's contains, he-
sides a warm acknowledgment of his distinguished services,
the offer of the appointment of Gentleman 'Usher to the
Prince, lately vacated by Colonel Reid. This appoint-
ment, in a pecuniary point of view, is merely of
nominal value, but is important, as showing that
• new era is likely to set in is the dispensation of
courtly honours. Mr. Cole is particularized as" one of the few
originators of the undertaking," and Mr. Wentworth Dilke
is warmly thanked for the seal, energy, and ability with
, which he helped the infancy of the undertaking, the per.
severance with which he aided its progress, and the great
share ho had in bringing it to a triumphant conclusion. As
l had been expected, there is considerable discontent among
the exhibitors on the subject of the awards. The Americans
are understood to be particularly wrath that Colt's re-
volvers have not been honoured with a medal. It is, we
believe, their intention to open a sale-room in some
central situation for the disposal of their goods.

DESTRUCTION OF EIGHT HOUSES BY FIRE,
AND LOSS OF TWO LIVES.
_ .
This (Friday) morning information was received
at the West of England fire station, Waterloo-road, of a
serious conflagration having broken out in the town of
lentisheer, 4 miles from Cullumpton, on the previous day,
and besides laying in ruins eight dwelling houses, was ae-
stompanied with the loss of two lives. It appears that the 1
lames originated in a house which had been newly
thatched, and in spite of every exertion mad.
by the inhabitants to subdue the fire, it extended
with the IltatOCa of lightning, until the whole building
presented a regular blazing masa. The wind unfortunately
was blowing rather fresh at the time, which forced the
lames into the houses adjoining on either side, and in leas
than a quarter of an hour after the outbreak three houses
were on fire from the base to the roof. Information of the
disaster was promptly forwarded to the town of Collump-
ton for the aid of engines, when Mr. Superintendent Salter
started to the scene with the powerful engine belonging to
the West of England Insurance Company, and was
followed by another belonging to the Itoyil Farmers%
slice. Upon arriving at the spot, a fearful sight
promoted itself, for nut fewer than eight of the
hones were blazing away with tbo greatest inspe-
tiondty, and large flakes of burning material were flying
about, to the danger of destroy in 4 property a large distance
off. The firemen, under the superintendence of Mr. Salter,
set to work in a most praiseworthy manner, and dil all that
was possible to extinguish the flames; but in spite of which
the work of devastation contitmed,Und before the fire could
be conquered eight of the dwellings were burnt to the
ground, and the principal portion of their contents con-
sumed. The total loss is very considerable, and will fall
principally on the West of England fire office. We regret
to state that an aged lady, named Mary Baker, and a
man of the name of William Churley, were burnt
to death. The former, it appears, on finding that the flames
hail reached her house, rushed in, in order to save some
valuable property, when she became surrounded with
flames, and being unable to escape, fell a victim to the fury
of the destructive element. The man Churley was also in
the act of removing some property from one of the houses,
when a mass of burning material fell upon him, and he
speedily shared the same fate as the unfortunate lady. Both
bodies, when found by the firemen, were burnt almost to
cinders. The melancholy catastrophe has thrown a gloom
over the whole town. The inquest on the bodies is to be
held this day. How the disaster originated is unknown.

to 30

Mow,.

PRESENT OF A STCRGEON TO THE QCEEN.—On
Wednesday W. J. Pierce, the assistant water-bailiff, had
the honour of presenting to her Majesty, at Windsor, a line
living sturgeon, weighing upwards of a hundredweight,
which was caught in Oalleons, in the Thames, on Tuesdays
by William Jackson, a fisherman.
TILE CAILBERWELI, TRAGEDY.-011 Wednesday
morning Mn. Fawcett, the wid•lw of Anthony Fawcett,
who murdered his twu ebildr,u tel committed suicide on
the 31st. ult., died. She perished from the shock the sys-
tem had sustained.