The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-31 00:00:00

THE WEATHER AND THE PARKS.

The weather yesterday in the metropolis was such as
has not been experienced in this country for many
years, for within the space of a few hours from hard
frost it turned to rain, then to snow, and afterwards the
wind blew so strong as to almost resemble a gale. The
thermometer at the Royal Society's receiving-house, in
Hyde•park, during Thursday night, fell to 21 degs.,
being 4 degs. lower than it was at six o'clock the same
evening. In the first part of yesterday morning it rose
as high as 35 degs., and at noon it stood at 38 degs.

At 2 o'clock it descended to 30 dogs. At 5 o'clock p.m

it fell again 2 degs., and indicated 28 degs. Fahrenheit.
The barometer, which was stationary the previous day
at 30.11 inches, suddenly changed to 29.53 inches, being
a fall of nearly half an inch—an extraordinary circum-
stance in so short a time. The wind in the morning
was south-west, but in the middle of the day it changed
to due west ; in the evening, at 6 o'clock, it was north-
west, with every appearance of becoming quite north
again during the night.
The sudden change in the weather for some hours
almost put a stop to skating and sliding in the various
parks, for although the ice was tolerably firm, yet the
snow that had fallen the previous day had become dis-
solved, and there remained several inches of water upon
the surface of the frozen rivers. About 500 persons, how-
ever, ventured on the ice in the Regent's Park, and were
amusing themselves by skating, when towards two
o'clock the atmosphere became darkened so as to re-
semble the fall of night. At the same time a tremend-
ous snow squall set in, accompanied with a strong wind.
No accident beyond a few falls took place in this park
during the day.
The number of gentlemen who ventured upon the
Serpentine-river, Hyde-park, was not great. The ice
was described as being 3i inches thick, and very firm
beyond the water on the surface. Owing to the super-
intendent (Mr. Williams) having, in the middle of the
day, had caution boards stuck up along the banks,
many were deterred from going upon the ice. Those
who were skating about two o'clock became greatly be-
wildered, owing to the park becoming quite'dark, when
those who were skating at the east end of the river were
favoured with a heavy shower of rain. Those who were
above the bridge that crosses the Serpentine were more
fortunate, for, instead of rain, they encountered a tre-
mendous shower of snow.

Several noblemen and gentlemen of the Skating Club
were on the Long-water, and, with others, the number
is returned as being 1,000 ; but no accidents took place.
Very few went upon the ice in St. James's Park, and
only two became immersed, who were got out by Ed-
ward Cook, and taken to the marquee. On the Round-
pond no accident occurred. The frost set in again last
evening with increased severity, and it was extremely
difficult for vehicles or pedestrians to pass to and fro in
in the streets.

DESTRUCTIVE CONFLAGRATION AT BRAD-
FORD, YORKSHIRE.

A few minutes before 10 o'clock on Thursday night a
warehouse, occupied by Messrs. Berwick Brothers and
Gillies, and Messrs. Broadbent and M'Crobin, stuff
merchants, Swaine-street, Bradford, was discovered to
be on fire. The building is a new erection, belonging to
Mr. W. H. Ripley, and was five stories high. It was
occupied by the tenants as a stuff warehouse, and when
the fire broke out it contained stock worth about 30,000/.
The flames Were first seen at the back part of the pre-
mises, from that portion occupied by Messrs. Berwick
and Co., at which time they were issuing from the roof.
Information was immediately given at the police-office,
and a posse of police, with the corporation apparatus,
were despatched to the place, and were followed in a
short time by the fire engines belonging to the Leeds
and Yorkshire, and the Halifax, Bradford, and Keighley
insurance companies. In the meantime an express was
despatched to the barracks, and about 11 o'clock the
barrack engine, attended by three companies of 28th
Foot, was on the spot. There being a plentiful supply
of water, the engines were soon brought into play, but,
although worked with great energy, the flames, fanned
by a brisk north-west wind, extended and threatened
an adjoining warehouse on the west, occupied by
Mr. J. Behrens, stuff merchant. Mr. Leveratt,
the chief constable, then directed the efforts of
his men to saving this building, and, a change of
wind taking place about the same time, accompanied
with rain, he was successful in destroying the communi-
cation. The fire by this time had obtained so complete
an ascendancy over the main building that all hopes of
saving it were abandoned, and the efforts of the several
fire brigades in attendance directed to the adjoining
warehouses on the east side and at the back. About
3 o'clock the fire began to abate, and shortly afterwards
it was got under. The destruction of the main building
was complete, there being nothing left at back but the
walls and partially burnt pieces, while the front is in
such a dilapidated condition as to render its removal
necessary. The excitement during the progress of the
fire was most intense, and the public, from a mistaken
notion of saving property, broke into some half-dozen
warehouses, and in the most reckless manner threw the
goods into the streets, and under these circumstances it
is difficult to form any accurate idea of the loss which
has resulted, but it has been estimated, by gentlemen
qualified to judge, at not less than 50,000/. The prin-
cipal sufferers are Messrs Berwick and Co., whose stock,
valued at 23,0001., is entirely destroyed, and Messrs.
Broadbent and M'CrObin, whose loss will not be much
under 10,0001. The former are insured to the full ex-
tent of their loss in the Globe, Yorkshire, West of
England, Liverpool and London, and the Royal Insur-
ance companies ; but the latter have only an insurance
in the Leeds and Yorkshire, to the extent of 2,0001,
At the time we write the origin of the fire is unknown,
and it is stated that the premises were safe at half-past 9
at which hour they were locked up.