The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-29 00:00:00

BOROUGH HOP.

The business doing in our market is very moderate, and
is chiefly for immediate consumption. Prices title firm.
The accounts from the plantations are favourable,

IVI.IITECP_APEL.

Moderate supplies of meat are on sale, and the trade is
firm, at the annexed quotations :

Beer, from 2s 10c1 to 4s 44 ; mutton, 3s 6d to 4s 8d;
lamb, 5s 04 to 58 8d ; veal, 3s 10d to 43 8d ; and pork, 3s 6d
o 4e 6d per 81bs by the carcase.

ALARMING FIRES (TIIIS DAY).--A fire of a very
alarming and destructive character broke out at a
late hour on the premises belonging to Mr. David Gray, a
cheesemonger, carrying on business at No. 4, Cross-street,
Blackfriars-road. The inmates having been aroused, they
fortunately effected a safe retreat. Conductor Garner
quickly attended with the Ruyal Society's fire-escape, and
the engines of the parish and London Brigade, under Mr.
Henderson, the chief officer of the D district, and Engineers
Medcalf and Boutcher, followed in rapid succession. On
immediate and an abundant supply of the Lambeth Com-
pany's water having been procured, the firemen went to
work in admirable manner, but, in spite of their exertions,
the flames continued to spread, and the entire building be-
came enveloped in a broad sheet of flame. Eventually the
firemen succeeded in getting the mastery over the flames,
but not until the premises and contents were for the most
part destroyed. The origin of the fire is unknown. The
loss will fall upon the Leeds and Yorkshire Fire Office.—
Another fire happened in the residence of the Marquis of
Hastings, No. 23, Park-lane. The discovery was made
one of the domestics by noticing smoke issuing from the
flooring of the third floor. The Royal Society's escape and
the engines of the London brigade promptly attended,
under the direction of Mt Swanton, the chief officer of the
C district and by a good supply of the Grand Junction Com-
pany's water, the fire was extinguished, but not before con-
siderable damage was done. The origin of the fire was
owing to a defective flue.

The Royal Dramatic College Fete will be held at
the Crystal Palace on the 16Lti and 18th of July.
Among the leading features will be the usual stalls, pre-
sided over by the most popular of the metropolitan actresses,
including blacille. Stella Colas, who will make her first ap-
pearance at these fetes, Mr and Mrs Howard Paul are to
inhabit a grotesque edifice, resembling a huge fan opening
and closing, the design of Mr R. Phillips, of the Adelphi
Theatre. They will sell an elegant little Dramatic College
fan, devised by Mr Howard Paul, who is at present in Paris
superintending their production. Messrs Toole and Paul
Bedford are to give an exhibition ot wax work. Claike, of
the St. James Theatre, is to have a cat and dog show. The
Wombwell menagerie will be repeated, with wonderful addi-
tionA of curious monsters. So that what with the usual
Aunt Sallies, minstrels, serenaders, gipsy tents, Richard-
son's Booth, and other pastimes, the Fair this year promise!
a great deal of fun and amusement.
NEW GUNBOATS.—A Toulon letter of the 24th
says : " Experiments have been made here
vessels
sit
during the last few days with new ironclad gunboats
with improvements which enable there
st
eo
smallmove at a
rate on land as well as on water. T
very low in the water, and have on the deck an ironclad
shelter pierced with six portholes and eighteen embrasures.
As they can be taken to pieces in a few hours and divided
into eighteen blocks, including the engine, these gunboats
could, if required, engage in a naval combat off the coasts
of Provence with a speed of eight knots ; then be taken to
pieces, and, having been carried away by railway, be ready
to fight again off the coasts of the Atlantic in 36 hours,
after crossing the whole of France. If this new engine of
war had existed daring the Italian campaign, Mantua and
Pescbiera might have been captured alrnost,without a blow,
and Venice might have seen a miniature ironclad fleet
navigating her lagoons.
PRIZE DESIGNS.—" Undoubtedly, however, the finest
show in this respect is made by Benson, who offered prizes
for designs for watch case at, the South Kensington Museum,
and who by this means has secured same of the most exquisite
ornamental details for watch cases that are shown in the
building."—Times, Miy 7,1862. Chronometer, duplex, lever,
horizontal, repeaters, centre seconds, keyless, split seconds,
and every description of watch, adapted to all climates.
Benson's illustrated pamphlet, free by post for two scamps,
contains a short history of horology, with prices, and enables
those who live in any part ot the word to select a watch or
clock. Prize medal and honourable mention, c asses 33 and
15. J. W. Benson, LucPzate•hill, watch and clock maker by
special warrant of appointment to 11.1 t. . the Prince of
r.st4lislied 1719.