The Sun.
London, England, 1830-03-31 00:00:00

DREADFUL FIRE.

On Monday evening, about a quarter past nine o'clock'
a dreadful fire broke out at the house of Mr. Thome
Reading, Oriental paper-manufacturer, No. 10, Prospect...
row, Brampton-road. The flames spread so rapidly tba
Mr. Reading's three children were suffocated by the smoke '
before they could be extricated. The fire originated in the
workroom en the first floor. Mr. Reading, it appeami
had left some composition, used in his business, boiling ea'
the fire while he went out to purchase some varnish, and,
during his absence, it is supposed the composition boiled
over, and set fire to the room. The flames burst forth
trial incredible violence, and, there being a number of
lodgers in the house, the confusion which took place can-
not be described. The three poor children were sleeping
in an adjoining apartment, and Mrs. Reading rushed
through the flames several times, in hopes of saving them,
but in vain, until her clothes were nearly burned to pieces,
and she was forced to rush out of the room enveloped irs
flames, and throw herself down in the middle of the road,
when, by the assistance of some neighbours, several coats
and blankets were thrown over her, and the flames were
extinguished. She was then taken to a neighbour's house,
and attended by a medical gentleman. Had the confusion,
not been so great there was plenty of time to have saves
the unfortunate children; but, owing to a female lodgers.
who had rescued her own children, and assured every per—
son assembled that there were no more children in the'
house, those endeavours were not used to rescue them unfit
it was too late, and the poor children were taken out sr
the first floor window very little burned, but oompletel/
suffocated to death. The bodies were removed to the house
of Mr. Pullen opposite. Several engines soon arrived ea
the spot, but it was nearly an hour before water could be
procured, and the fl.mes eommunicated to the adjoinirag
house, .kept by Mr. Humble, a milkman and it was with
some difficulty the inmates escaped. Both houses were
burnt to the ground. The names of the children who
have perished are Charles Reading, aged seven years
Thomas, aged five years; and Elizabeth, aged three years.
The houses belong to Mr. Adam 'Hill, landlord of the
Angel, in the Broadway, Westminster, and are insured in
the Guardian Fire Insurance Office. None of the tenants
are, however, insured, and they must have lost every thing
that they possessed in the world.

Mrs. Reading, who is six months gene with child, was
conveyed to her brother-in-law's, Mr. Adam Hill, who,
has a house at Brompton, and was attended by Messrs.
Hetson, Liddle, Ire, and Chinner, surgeons, in the neigh-
bourhood. Yesterday it was currently reported she was
(lead, but we are happy to say such is not the case ; she
was still alive yesterday evening, but very little hopes were
entertained of her recovering, the agitation and shock
having brought on a premature labour.
Crowds of persons assembled round the building yes-
terdiy, anxious to view the bodies of the poor children,
and it was with some difficulty the mob could be kept off.
A Coroner'sinquest will sit on the bodies to-morrow evening.

We understand that GEORGE FREDERICK
PITT, Esq., ha• made a munificent donation to the town
of his library, consisting of nearly 1,500 volumes, corn-
prising many rare and valuable works. The Mayor and
corporation are appointed the trustees, and they are now
engaged in making arrangements to receive the whale at
the Audit House, where they will be accessible under such
regulations as will be considered the most expedient. We
have no doubt they will discharge the trust in a liberal
and satisfactory manner.—Southampton and Isle of
Wight illercury.

LAUNCH OF A STEAM-VESSEL.—On Sa-
turday noon was launched, in beautiful style, from Messrs.
FISHERS' yard, an elegant steam-packet, with all her ma-
chinery on board, intended for the Woodside Mail Ferry.
We have seldom seen a finer mould, nor a vessel that sat
better in the water. She measures 100 tons burthen, and
carries an engine of 30-horse power, made by the Ilzara-s,
of Ilawarden, whose engines have been famous. Alto-
gether she is a model, and adorns the character of even the
FISHERS, who have long been known as first-rate ship-
carpenters. Master WILLIAMS, the proprietor's eldest
son, christened her the King Fisher ; and we heartily
wish the spirited owner every success in this addition tio
his steatn-packets. Upwards of 200 persona received re-
freshments on board, and several ladies remained on deck
during the launch.—Liverpool Albion.