The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-21 00:00:00

TM, WEATHER IND TIM PARES.

The weather still continues intensely cold ; in fact,
owing to the piercing wind, much colder than it has been
for several previous winters. The thermometer at the
Royal Humane Society's receiving-house in Hyde-park
during the night of Wednesday stood at 23. Yesterday
morning at 9 o'clock it rose to 28, but during last even-
ing the mercury stood only at 26, and there seemed
every probability of the glass getting much lower, The
wind still remained due east, and the glass at the reeeiv-
ing-house indicated 30.16, with a fine &ear moonlight
night, showing that the present severe weather was likely
to lase. In accordance with a suggestion made to Mr.
Charlier by Sir B. Hall, additional officers were yester-
day placed at each gate leading into St. James's-park,
who cautioned those entering the parks that the ice was
in a dangerous state. (This suggestion of Sir Benjamin
Hall was made because of the recent accident, where! y
four lives were lost.) Large printed placards were
hung up at the lodges, stating " The ice is still very
dangerous." In consequence of the exertions of the ice-
men, under Deputy Superintendent Parsons, and the
cautions given by the officers, only one person ventured
upon any portion of the ice in St. James's-park, and he
slipped and fell upon a flint stone at the edge of the or-
namental water, and received a severe laceration over
the right eye. In the course of another day or so it is
thought, if the frost should continue, that the ice in this
park will be sufficiently safe.
THE REGENT'S PARK.—The whole of the ornamental
water in this park is now completely frozen oeer, the
ice, however, in some places being only of 12 hours' for-
mation. During yesterday about 2,500 or 3,000 ladies
and gentlemen went upon the frozen surface, and cut
out several pretty figures, such as snakes, eels, &o.
During the afternoon the number continued to increase
to such an extent that they got upon tie newly-formed
ice, when it cracked so fearfully that Mr. Superiuterl-
mit Williams gave orders to place poles across the most
dangerous places, and drive the sliders and skaters lack.
By so doing the perecne were prevented from falling
through the ice, and no accident beyond a few fails leek
place. The whole of the private portion of the park was
not, thrown open to the public, the gates bsiug kept
locked, and only those in possession of the right of
eeti 6 ice
will were allowed to enter. By Sunday next the ce
will be in first-rate condition, presuuiiug that the pre-
sent weather lasts.
TEE ROUND POND IN KENSINGTON GARDENS.—This
pond, the favourite resort of the aristocracy, is covered
with a beautiful clear surface of ice, so clear that sliding
on it is entirely out of the question. About 2,500 ladiee
and gentlemen amused themselves by skating, but any
one who attempted to slide was sure to fall. A gentle-
man who was skating fell through the ice, and became
immersed up to his neck. He was extricated, when he
coolly took his watch out of his pocket, handed it to a
lady who was with him, and recommenced skating
amidst the cries of "Bravo, the hero of Inkerman."
After skating for some time, the gentleman took off his
skates, and ran home as fast as possible. The ice here
is two inches thick already.
Tue LONG WATER, KENSINGTON GANDENS.—About
3,000 sliders and eketere, including several members of
the Skating Club, proceeded to this part of the royal
park at an early hour in the morning, and disported
themselves by' skating or sliding during the entire day.
No accident worth recording took place.
Tull SERPENTINE, HYDE PARK..—A vast number of
persons proceeded to this place yesterday, but the ice
being in a dangerous condition—only formed during the
preceding night—Mr. Superintendent Williams and tke
icemen drove the people off.

FATAL FIRM —Between three and four o'clock yester-
day morning a fire broke out on the premises of Mr. R.
Bygrave, gas-fitter, No. 25, Mint-street, Southwark.
Before more than one or two of the inmates could be
awakened, the flames had taken possession of the stair-
case, and made escape thereby impossible. Under these
circumstances the inmates, with one exception,
andn, calledmadefor
the front windows, threw up the sashes,
loudly for help. The moment the Royal Fire Escapes
arrived, the conductor, Hall, ascended, and safely
brought down Mr. and Mrs. Bygrave, sen. He again
ascended his machine and brought down Eliza Powell
and two children. The third time he was met by a sheet
of fire, and was compelled to make a precipitate retreat.
Mrs. Lydia Robinson, aged 32 years, and child, were
the last persons that could be aroused from their slum-
ber, and both are stated to have fallen a prey to the
devouring element.
RgLICS FROM TIIR PARIS EXMIBITIO3I.-3Sr:Frederick
Futvoye, to whom we are indebted for much that is
recherche in art manufacture, by the personal and assi-
duous exercise of his judgment abroad, has been fortu-
nate in culling the rarest excellences of the French
Exposition for disposal in this country. With all his
exertions, ho wever, he has not been enabled to be in
two places at once; and this want of duality has retarded
the completion of a shop which he has taken in Regent-
street, opposite Hanover-street, for the purpose he has
in view. Nothing daunted, however, and impressed
with the fact that hearts and pulses open simultaneously
at this season of the year, the huge cases of articles in-
tended for Christmas presents having been hurried
through the Custom-house by special intercession, their
contents will be at once di-played. Mr. Futvoye's new
establishineet must not be mistaken with the older one
in Reg,eut-street, which for a while only will bear his
name