The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-18 00:00:00

prompt decision by entering vigorously on the
theatre of war. It is said that France and England
are furnished with special powers. The relations
between Prince Gortschakoff and our Cabinet have
again become exceedingly active. M. d'Alvensle-
ben and Count d'Arnim are present at the confer-
ences which he has with the Minister of Foreign
Affairs. The armaments are going on, but the
march of troops for Transylvania has been arrested."

THE FIRE AT MESSRS. CUBITTS, AT

PIMLICO.

---
The accounts published in yesterday's papers, owing
to the late hour at which the fire commenced, convey
but a faint idea of the amount of property reduced to
ruins, in lepeudent of which from 500 to 600 men have
been thrown out of employment, besides being bereft of
their working tools—which alone will amount to several
hundred pounds. The fire was discovered by two night
watchmen, who perceived a flickering light on the top
floor, used as a joiner's shop. The flames soon swept
over the entire floor, and extended to the marble works.
This was a building of four floors,' including the base-
ment, about 80 feet wide, and of proportionate depth,
fitted with costly machinery, and containing slabs of
marble, ornaments, statuary, &c. So rapid was the
work of destruction that in less than a quarter of an
hour after the outbreak this building was on fire from
the base to the root.
Owing to the scarcity of water only a few engines
could be set to work. Information was therefore de-
spatched to Southwark-bridge for the aid of the powerful
steam floating engine. By the time of its arrival the
fire had gained possession of the whole extent of the
joiners' shops, which were filled with goods, valued at
many thousand pounds. I❑ this part of the works there
were from 13 to 18 benches, each being worth 3001.
From this point the flames rushed into the painters and
glaziers' workshops. Their destruction was followed by
that of a large building filled with prepared work of im-
mense value, amongst which was the ornamental
flooring for Buckingham Palace, which had taken
upwards of a year to finish. The costly fittings for
Albert House, Hyde-park, were also in this building, and
the entire contents of the place have been consumed.
The plasterers' model shops, containing some of the
finest specimens in that art, were partially situated under
the joiners' houses, and the floor in that part has not
given way ; there is, therefore, some grounds for con-
cluding that the costly articles will be saved, with the
exception of the damage which must necessarily take
place from water.
Every attempt was made to prevent the flames from
reaching the engineer works, but without the least suc-
cess, and at length this building, which was only two
floors high, but nearly 100 feet long, became also
wrapped in flames. In this part of the premises were
machinery of every description used in the business,
including a moulding-machine, which cost over 4,0001. ;
a valuable stocking.machine, for cutting stocks in
wheels ; planing-machine, for planing steel and iron ;
surface-lathes, for grinding surfaces to plates of iron and
steel ; va.tious lathes and drilling-machines, which alone
cost, it is stated, nearly 80,0001. Besides which there
was a vast quantity of work in the different shops,
including some travelling steam-engines, just finished.
The whole of this expensive stock of machinery was
subjected to the greatest heat for hours. It is, there-
fore, feared that it will never be able to be called into

use again.
The powerful floating engine, and as many land en-
gines as could be supplied with water, were kept at work
the whole of the night, and throughout yesterday, and
even at 8 o'clock last evening there still remained a
considerable body of flame in the ruins.
Notwithstanding the heavy loss, from 50,0001. to
50,0001., the only insurances effected upon the property
was 3,0001. in the West of England on the building, and
3,0001. on the stock in the open yard. There was also
an insurance of 4,0001. in the London office, making a
total of 10,0001. only, not one-twelfth part of the actual
loss