The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-08 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN CATTLE.

There was a full average supply of foreign stock on offer
in our market to-day, but its general condition was very
middling. Sales, however, progressed steadily at very full

prices.
From our own grazing districts the receipts of beasts
fresh up this morning ward moderately extensive, but, com-
pared with many previous weeks, their quality exhibited a
falling off. Good and prime stock commanded a steady in-
quiry at an advance in the quotations of 2d per 81b; other-
wise the beef trade ruled firm at full currencies. The best
Scots and crosses changed hands at 5s per 81b. There were
a few beasts on offer from Lincolnshire in but middling
condition.
The receipts from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cam-
bridgeshire comprised 2,300 Scots, crosses, and shorthorns ;
from other parts of England, inoluding Lincolnshire. 550
various breeds; and from Scotland 140 Scots and crosses,
There was a lull average number of sheep in the pens in
fair condition. Nearly all breeds w, re in good request at
an improvement in the currencies of 2d per 81b. The gene-
ral top figure for Downs was 5s per 81b.
Lambs were in good supply and steady request at full
prices. The general currency ranged from 5s 4d to 6s 8d;
but a few very superior lambs sold at 7s per 81b.
We have to report a slow sale for calves—the supply of
which was moderate—at late rates.
The pork trade was heavy on former terms.
Per Sib. to sink the offal.
s. d. e. d. e. d. a. d.
Crse. &inf. beasts 3 4 3 8 Primecrs-wool d 0.4 8 4 10
Second quality do. 3 10 4 4 Pme. S'thdowndo.4 10 5 0
Prime large oxen 4 6 4 8 Largo crse. calves 4 0 4 6
Prime Scots, &c. 4 10 5 0 Prime small do 4 8 5 0
Crse. & inf. sheep 3 8 4 0 Large hogs.. 3 4 4 0
Second quality do._4 2 4
_6 Small porkers 4 2 4 6

FIRE AT THE HOUSES OF PARLIA-
MENT.---(This Day.)

This afternoon about three o'clock the utmost
consternation and alarm were experienced by the mem-
bers of the select committees of the Houses of
Lords and Commons sitting to consider various private
and other bills, as well as the witnesses attending them, at
the announcement that a fire had broken out in the build•
ing and was then burning. As may naturally be
supposed, a general panic ensued, and numerous
members left their other duties to ascertain the
truth of this announcement, of which they were soon
able to satisfy themselves from the strong smell of charred
wood which prevailed throughout the corridor of the
building. It turned out on inquiry that a
waiter belonging to the refreshment department
of the House of Commons, on passing from the
library to the members' tea-room, observed smoke issuing
very near to the latter from the wooden roof, and imme-
diately afterwards the flames burst through with
great fury. He immediately communicated this
to police-constable Home, 12 C, who gave an
alarm, and obtained the assistance of the police
on duty in the other parts of the building, and
he immediately set to work, applied the hose, and turned
on the water with which the mains are constantly charged,
and applied it with such effect that the flames were soon
subdued, and no further mischief was apprehended.
The corridor leading from the House of Commons to the
Lords' committee rooms were flooded with water, and but
for such prompt means of action there can be little
doubt that the whole of the corridor, as well as
those above, would soon have fallen a prey to the
flames. When the flames were extinguished, Mr.
Kelly, the acting man under Mr. G. Gurney, to whom the
ventilation of the Houses of Parliament are entrusted, made
an examination of the seat of the outbreak, when it was
found that a brick flue from the kitchen passes over the wood
roof of the corridor, and that by some means a brick had
become displaced, and by the opening and draught the heat
had communicated to the woodwork near it, and having
no doubt been for some time subjected to it, had thus taken
fire. It was deemed prudent to make a strict examina-
tion to ascertain if the fire had extended to any other
portion of the space between the wooden roof and base
alluded to. and the flooring of the corridor above it, and seve-
ral of the officers connected with the gas department were
sent down the trap doors to see if there were any other parts
on fire, but, after a diligent search, it was reported tkat it
had been confined to the place where it originated, and no
further danger was to be apprehended.