The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-11-18 00:00:00

MORE DREADFUL FIRES`.

We lament that we have to add to the mel4nelioly ca-
talogue of fires that have so recently alarmed the Metro-
polis, an account of two very serious ones that broke out
It an early hour this morning, and which, from their
appearance, we fear have occasioned a most destructive
loss. We had not time to gather any full particulars of
them before our paper went to press. The first broke out
at a Roman cement warehouse in Curzon-street, Donate-
hill, communicating its ravages to a contiguous paper-
warehouse, and burnt for some time with considerable
fury, but was, by the activity of the firemen, got under.
The first alarm had not subsided when the whole town
was illuminated by a second fire, which burst forth in an
instant, and which, we learn, broke out at Hockley's, a
coiree-shop in Leadenhall-street, completely consuming
that and the adjoining premises, consisting of an eating-
house, &c. and for a while threatened destruction to the
houses of Mr. Jackson, the Common Councilman, and Mr.
Forster, the stationer. We fear that much damage was
sustained by the houses 111 the courts contiguous.

DIR•DFUL GAN EXPIOSION.—Iktween six and seven
o'clock last evening the utmost consternation was excited
in the neighbourhood of Fetter-lane, by a tremendous ex-
plosion of gas on the premises of Mr. Barrett, grocer and
tea-dealer, corner of Dean-street. Mr. Barrett had been
enlarging his shop and making some trifling alterations in
the cellars, where tw J of the carpenters were employed at
the time the explosion took place, both of whom were
thrown down, and one had his thigh most severely bruised.
Mr. Barrett, who was making up goods behind the coun-
ter, declared that lie felt himself literally raised some
inches off the floor. The house shook from base to sum-
mit, every thing trembled, and the windows were driven
into the street with terrific violence, but in a manner par-
ticularly worthy of remark : that on the right was shattered
to atoms, glass and frame, whilst the one on the opposite
side teemed u if it had been cut through with the most
mathematical precision ; and strange to say, one pane'
from which the the thnber-work had been torn away
remained without a single fracture. In the rear of
the shop, the window looking into a hack yard was also
driven out, and the brick-work round the chimney
quite shook. In the cellars the force of the com-
bustion was even more distinctly marked; three strong
lattice windows were shivered to atoms, a partition of
boards was thrown down, and two large doors were wrenched
off their binges. The flames ascended to the shop in three
distinct and amazingly brilliant columns, and instantane-
ously communicating with some light timber work, gave
strong reason to apprehend a repetition of those fearful ca-
lamities which have agitated the public mind for the last
four days. However, by the copious use of water, the
flames were got under without further damage. It is sup-
posed that owing to a detect in the main pipe, a quantity
of the inflammable matter had exuded through the aper-
ture, and on the werkinen introducing a lighted candle
into the apartment ignition consequently followed ; but
certainly no bla:nc can attach to the men, who could not
possibly be aware of the danger attendant on so doing.
The report was distinctly heard at the distance of between
three and four hundred yards.
Thomas Coombs, the man fully committed from Cnion
Hall Office, charged on suspicion of having shot James
Morgan, the under gardener of Emanuel Goodhart, Esq.
of Langley Park, near Bee.enhain, was on Monday last
removed (tom the county prison in Horsernonger-lane, to
Maidstone gaol, preparatory to taking his trial at the en-
suing Assizes for the county of Kent.
DARING Houk:ay.—Early on Saturday morning the
house of J. L. Holland, Esq., of Cornwall-terrace, was
entered by some daring thieves, who succeeded in carrying
off a quantity of plate, and other articles marked J. 1.. H.
Information was immediately given at Mary-la-bonne
police ottiet, and bills describing the property printed, of-
fering a reward of ten pounds for the apprehension of the
offenders.

PARING BURGI.ARY.—On Sunday night last, some
daring thieves broke into the house of J. Stull, Esq. of
Middlesex-place, New-road, and were successful in
taking away silver candlesticks, spoons, two drab coats,
umbrellas, he. Information was given at the Mary-la-
bonne Office, when Morris was directed to examine the
premises. Morris, on examining the premises, found that
the thieves had got into the garden, and completely exca-
vated the ground, until they got on the line of the. base-
ment story, by which means they easily entered the kitchen,
after which they cautiously proceeded up to the parlour,
from whence they took the property. Five Pounds reward
is offered for the apprehension of the offender or offenders.
An instance °ccurnd yesterday morning of the fatal
effects of leaving children alone. 'file wife of a man
named Cox, a labouring man, in ('hapman-street, Com-
mercial-road, having gone out, leaving three children, (the
eldest not above six years old) alone. the dress of one of
them, a tine boy two years old, caught tire. The shrieks
of the children brought some persons to their assistance,
who put the flames out, but not before the poor infant was
dreadfully burned in the lower extremities.
IMITATION—BEA Cs Gat: .--Jarnes Atkinson, per
-
hanker respectfully informs the public. that owing to the great
demand for the Bears' Grease imported by him, there are Lulus,
rous articles sold for lle..re Grease, exactly ;,wenibling bin in the
outward appearance. These are in general nothing but common
lard, mallow, Re. possessing none of the qualities of genuine
Bears' Grease. Heal Ite..rs Grease, when procured Iron the
animal in its native climate ;in which state it is recommended by all
writers on natural philosophy) is an very rich penetrating quality,
ilitliaing front all tither animal and vegetable fats, and the reputa-
tion it has long held for promoting the growth of hair, bas been
lately roved in such numerous cases, M to place its peculiar ()na-
iades beyond the question of a doubt ; and when properly purified
and perfumed, it is a very pleasant and elegant article for dressing
the hair, making it heaiiiifally soft and glossy. The following is
a description of tit. manner in which Atkinson's Bean' UMW is
sent out. It is in pots, with the words "Atkinson's Hears' Grease
for the I lrowth of Hair" burnt on the top, and it is enclosed in a
wrapper, with his signature : price '2l. fat. ; double, 4s. • per-
fumed with Otto of Rose. 3s. and ss. Sold by James Atkirson,
perfumer, 44, Gerrard-street. Sidle-square. and trust perinuters
and medicine readers.