The National Register.
London, England, 1822-09-23 00:00:00

THE NATION

REGISTER

FIRE AT AMSTERDAM.

AMSTERDAM, SEPT. 18 —To-day, at noon, one
of the most dreadful fires broke out here that has
happened in this city for many years. The new
Lutheran church on the north-cast side of the
Singel, is burnt down, together with some of the
adjacent buildings. The church was observed to be
on fire about half past one, and a little after two it
was all in flames. The heat was so great, that all
efforts to save the nearest houses were necessarily
renounced. It was felt at the distance of two streets
on the Torensluis, and opposite the church it was
' insupportable, notwithstanding the breadth of the
' Singel. The sight of the lofty cupola in flames was
dreadful but sublime. The copper which covered
it, and which flew in large sheets through the air,
coloured the flames with varying tints of blue and
green, which were speedily mingled with the
brighter flames of the ardent spirit, and the dark
yellow smoke of the oil with which the adjacent
warehouses were filled. It seems certain (at least
this is the general report) that the fire commenced
in the church itself, and not in one of the neigh-
bouring warehouses; but with respect to the real
cause of the misfortune, we have little more than
conjectures. On account of the violence of the fire
and the falling sparks, the vessels nearest the Singel,
over which a very strong east wind fortunately
drove the thick smoke, had to remove to another
place ; it does not appear that any of them have
received much damage. The fine church thus de-
stroyed, and of which little will remain but the
wall round it, which is ten feet thick, was erected
in the year 1678, 1681, chiefly by voluntary do-

nations:
The fine dome was built on the model of that of
St. Peter's at Home, and as well as a semicircular
building adjoining, covered with copper, which
were brought from Sweden duty free, by permission
of King Charles XI. On the platform of the ad.
joining back building there was a large cistern of
rain water, to be used in case of fire. We du nat
know whether it has been of any service on this
occasion.
Four of the adjoining dwelling-houses and maga-
zines are burnt, and a fifth in flames.
SEPT. 19 —The fire yesterday seems to have
broken out in the left where the plumbers had
been at work, and so rapidly spread that the church
was all in flames in half an hour, and soon commu-
nicated to the neighbouring houses and warehouses,
some of which being full of spirits of wine, and
other inflammable substances, added to the fury of
the conflagration. The greatest praise is due to the
firemen for their extraordinary exertions, and we
are happpy in not having heard of one accident of
great consequence, only that one of the firemen re-
ceived some severe bruises on the neck and hands,
another on the hands only. The whole inside of
the church is destroyed, the walls only remaining.
Happily the books and papers were saved, as well as
some valuable articles from the Consistorial Chamber.
Six dwelling houses and nine warehouses are en-
tirely or nearly destroyed; some others are damaged,
not to any extent.

The visiters at Harrowgate, which is now unu-
sually full of company, experienced an unpleasant
disappointment on Sunday week. The Reverend
Richard Hale, Vicar of Harewood, with his cha-
racteristic benevolence, had undertaken to preach a
charity sermon on behalf of the Sunday school at-
tached to the established church at Patina!, and as
the parish church, which is at the distance of from
two to three miles, is so remote, it was determined
that he should preach in the large room, at Low
Harrowgate, called the promenade room. The
place was accordingly fitted up for the purpose, and
at the appointed hour a large and very genteel con-
gregation had assembled; bat just at the moment
when the worthy vicar had descended from his
chaise, a messenger from the Lord Bishop of Chester,
now at the Granby, informed him, th:►t as the place
in which he was about to preach was unlicensed, if
he proceeded with the service he wourl do it at
his peril. To this information Mr. Hale replied,
that he had the permission of the Archbishop to
preach in this unlicensed room, but that he would
wait upon his Lordship at the Granby, which he
did without delay, leaving the congregation to await
the result of the interview. With what took place
upon that occasion, of course we are not informed,
except from report, on which, in such a case, we do
not choose to rely : but the result was, that the con-
gregation %%as obliged to disperse without any ser-
vice, and the exhausted funds of the Sunday school
must be replenished in some more orthodox way.
One of his Majesty's ships is about to be partially
calked with wool, instead of oakum, by way of
experiment. Another is to be fitted with an iron
furLinast and bowsprit.
In the year 1821, seventeen persons died in the
city of Naples upwards of 100 years of age.
There are at present in Blair's fruit and Qrover
gardens. Delty, strawberries of • second crap. fully totaled,
••d whey is ism ditlerent beds iu full blooms*.

BIRTIIN.
At Dr. Monro's, fiusby, liens, the lady of A. Mont°, en. it
POll.
In Gloucester place, Portman square, the holy of Wm. Thompson.
esq. M 1.. Wad shrink elect of London and NitlOlesez, of a still bora

_ .....
lii Southampton place, New road, the lady of Henry Wild, eaq. of
a daughter.
'I he lady of J. Evans, esq. of Walthauntow, of a son.
At Norwood. Surrey, the lady of J. Inglis, esq. of a sea.
Mrs. Alexander Eraser, of Iliac= inn, of a son.
At Tottenham, Mrs. Jaques, of a daughter.
At folienham mills, the lady of C. L.cartoys. eat. ore dasibler.
Mts. 1. Thomas, of Coopers' row, of a daughter.