The Sun.
London, England, 1838-01-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1838.

PRIVATE BUSINESS OF PARLIA-

whether the loss of all the music will not suspend the rerforminces
Altez,ether.

MENT.-(THIS DAY.)
The Committee on petitions, though announced,
did not sit this day, owing to the absence of Mr.
Shaw Lefevre, the Chairman, who has not arrived
from the country. Notice had been given of petitions
for the Cheltenham and Great Western Union Rail-
way Bill, and the Quedgley (Gloucestershire) Inclo-
sure Bill, both of which must be renewed. All peti-
tions for private Bills must be presented on or before
Friday, the 16th of February, and all private Bills
brought in on or before Monday, the 26th of March.

(From Galignani's Messenger.)
The flames, shortly after they were discovered, had attained such
fury that they were see❑ bursting through the roof ; and it was appre-
hended, even at this early part of the conflagration, that it would
be impossible to save the edifice from destruction. The ahrTn
was quickly given to the nearest posts of firemen and the guard-
,uses, and the generale was immediately beaten through
all the streets in that quarter of the capital. It was a
quarter past one before the firemen and troops could arrive. An im-
mense crowd was already assembled on the Boulevards and round the
theatre, but the good conduct of the troops of the line preserved order.
The firemen, perceiving that their efforts were useless, as far as the the-
atre itself was concerned, turned their attention rather to the houses
which form part of the same pile of building. The conflagration, how-
ever, spread with fearful rapidity. By half-past two the whole of the
building was in flames, and part of the wall an the side of the rue Fa-
vart had fallen in. On account of the severity of the frost there was
much difficulty in procuring water, but the lines for passing buckets
were formed with the greatest readiness, and well served, notwithstand-
ing the intense cold that prevailed.
Th.: shops on the back fronting the Boulevards, and the houses on
each side of the theatre, on the opposite sides of the narrow streets by
which it is bounded, ran the greatest risk of catching fire ; and the in-
mates were busy in removing their effects from those that were most
threatened. Immense clouds of smoke and burning particles shot up
into the air, high above the roof of the building, and at one time the
flames themselves were t ..enty or thirty feet in height above its walls.
The wind was from the south, and firemen were st:ttioned on the roc)!
cf the French Opera, to guard against the shower of sparks that fell
upon it, as well as on all the houses on that side of the Boulevards;
fortunately, however, no fresh conflagration was caused by them.
We are sorry to say that this melancholy fire has been attended
with considerable loss of life. M. Severini, acting manager of the
Italian Opera, who resided in the building on the fourth story, endea-
voured to escape by tying sheets and blankets together ; but whether
through agitation, or from some accident which it is now impossible
to ascertain, fell into the street and was killed on the spot. Had this
unfortunate gentleman remaine 1 a little longer in his apartment he
would have been preserved, since his two servants and two children

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TO-MORROW.
%turning ......... 32 minutes after 6 I Evening 54 minutes after 6

•
BRIGHTON AND BLACKWALT. RAILWAYS.
FULL REPORTS OF TIE GENERAL
MEETINGS THIS WEEK will appear in a Double
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Railway Times Office, 3, Hind-co.: Fleot-street.

The publication THE SUN NEWSTAP commenced this day
at 30 minutes past Three Clock.

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were safely brought down from thence. His body presented a shock-
ing spectacle, and a large hole was perceptible in the side of his head.
M. Robert, the other manager, was, however, fortunately enabled to
save himself by means of a rope and ladder.

We understand that five firemen were killed by the falling in of part

of the burning bui:ding, and that a great number of their brave com-
rades have teen wounded. The fire continued with great violence all
night, and, at the time of our going to press to-day, was still raging with
great ♦iolence. The Cafe in the Rue Marivaux is entirely destroyed;
but the back of the Opera, f::rming a frontage to the Bou!evard occupied
by the Cafe du falcon, and sh ,ps underneath, has not been touched by
the frames.

The troops have formed a cordo❑ completely isolating the building,
and it is impossible to approach very near to it. The Prefe,t of Police
and other municipal authoritiz.a, who arrived at an early hour, are pre-
sent, exciting the firemen to save the facade. The Boulevard is st:11
c.lvered with furniture and effects of every description ; the whole is a
scene of mournful desolation.

The cause of this sad event is not known. The opera of Don Gio-
vanni was performed there last night, and it is reported that it was
produ.r.d by the fireworks used in the last scene catching some of the
cordage of the scenery at the conclusion of that opera. The building
belonged to the Lisle Civile. Th• papers, cash, &c., of the Theatre
have, we understand, been saved ; but the destruction of prope.ty, sce-
nery, arid decorations will be very great. The conduct of the troops is
beyond all praise ; and, indeed, but one feeling of regret and of readiness
to help seemed to pervade the breasts of all who witnessed this la-
mentable conflagration.
It is a very singular coincidence that t, e curtain of the Odeon ,The-
atre caught fire yesterday evening during the performance, but was
quickly extinguished without much damage being occasioned.