The Sun.
London, England, 1841-11-22 00:00:00

DARING ATTEMPT TO SET FIRE

TO THE HORSE GUARDS.

A gentleman connected with the Horse Guards ac-
quainted us, so late as Wednesday last., with the fact that
a great sensation was created there, on Wednesday
morning, about one o'clock, in consequence of a com-
bustible ball having been thrown into the building with
the intention of setting fire to it. But the aim of the
incendiary not being well taken, it fell at the feet of a
sentry on duty, who immediately communicated the
circumstance to the authorities; and they are in pos-
session, as we are informed, of a portion of the de-
structive missile. But what makes this circumstance the
more extraordinary is, that a similar combustible
ball was thrown on the same morning at the bar-
racks behind the National Gallery, at Charing-cross.
It was fortunately discovered in time to prevent the
intention of the incendiary from taking effect. The
authorities at the Horse Guards were occupied during
the whole of Wednesday, in endeavouring to discover
facts tending to elucidate this mysterious occurrence ;
but with no success. The information was then conveyed
to Colonel Rowan, of the Metropolitan Police, who is
now engaged in investigating the circumstance ; and it
is to be hoped that the perpetrators of the outrage will
shortly be in the hands of justice. A great deal of
secrecy is observed on the subject, in order that the ends
of justice may not be frustrated ; and the impression
that now prevails is that the fire at the Tower of London
was not accidental, but may be traced to the same arch
incendiary who endeavoured to destroy the Horse Guards
and the Charine•-cross Barracks on the morning of Wed-
nesday last. Several persons have been examined, but as
yet no light has been thrown upon the affair, which remains
involved in the deepest mystery. But it is clearly to be seen
that a design is entertained by some diabolical incendiaries
to destroy the great public buildings of the metropolis. The
soldier at the Horse Guards, at whose feet the com-
bustible ball fell, did not observe any person in the street
by whom the missile appeared to have been thrown ; but
in the alarm and confusion which so mysterious an oc-
currence may naturally be supposed to have created in
his mind, it is possible that the incendiary escaped before
he was looked after. There can be no doubt but that,
had the ball taken effect, the Horse Guards would have
been destroyed.
The above information is derived from authority, upon
which we have the firmest reliance.—Planet.
This statement having been forwarded to us we
caused immediate inquiries to be made ; our reporter
proceeded to the chief office of the metropolitan po-
lice in Scotland-yard, and was informed that nothing
whatever had been heard there on the subject ; and
on expressing a wish to see Colonel Rowan, was told
that the Colonel was not in town, and that his chief
clerk had retired to rest. The Superintendent on duty
was not to be seen. We next proceeded to the sta-
tion of the A division of police in Gardner's-lane, and
oti inquiring of the Inspector whether he had heard
anything of the circumstance, he replied in the negative,
adding that if there had been any truth in it they must
have heard something of it. The reporter next proceeded
to the Horse-Guards, and finding the orderly-room closed,
it being near midnight, he accosted the sentinel on duty,
and on asking whether he had heard of any attempt to
fire the Horse-Guards by a shell of a combustible na-
ture, his reply was that it was perfectly true, and that a
similar ball was thrown into St. George's barracks the
same morning, which had seriously wounded one of the
men, who was in the hospital. The reporter then ob-
tained admission into the canteen, and the account as to
the throwing of a shell inside the Horse Guards was con-
firmed by Mr. M'Gregor, who was in the yard at the mo-
ment the shell alighted, having gone out by mere ac-
cident. As near as he can recollect, it was about a quarter
past twelve o'clock. The ball fhll between himself and
the sentinel on duty nearly in front of the Canteen, and
exploded with a terrific noise. The sound, Mr. l!d•Gregor
says, was as loud as a cannon. He was completely
stunned for a time, and "the sentinel," said Mr. M'Gregor,
" being rather a raw soldier, flaw off like a shot." The
alarm caused by the occurrence was very great, and Mrs.
M‘Gregor and the inmates of the Canteen hastened to
the spot. Some combustible materials were still burning,
but of what nature they could not distinctly ascertain.
There was, however, no clue to the perpetrator of the
outrage, which is still involved in mystery. The sergeant
on guard said they were in readiness, if the attempt was
repeated. It would seem that they had received orders
to be on the alert.

PARTICULARS.)
The above details of the attempt to set fire to
the Horse Guards and Charing-cross Barracks, we regret
to be obliged to confirm. Of the fact there exists no
doubt, :and the act, in both cases so fortunately frus-
trated, is supposed to be the work of some wicked
incendiary or demented enthusiast.
Nothing has as yet, we believe, resulted from the in-
quiry which was immediately set on foot.
The explosions,:both at the Horse Guards and the
Barracks, were heard by many persons residing in their
vicinity; and that at the latter place, from its loudness,
excited considerable surprise and alarm in the minds of
the residents of Leicester-square and the streets in the
immediate neighbourhood, the barracks being contiguous
to the south side of the square.

FIRE at WOOLWICH DOCK-YARD.
At half-past four on Saturday morning, a fire broke
out at the manufactory for making the patent fuel for
the steamers. It caused very considerable alarm, but
was speedily subdued. We regret to add, that owing to
an intense to,,b, two men of the Royal Marines and a boy
fell into the basin, and the boy was unfortunately drowned.
An officer ran against a block of granite and severely hurt
his face.

(FURTHER PARTICULARS.)
About half-past three :on Saturday morning, police-
constable 291 R, who was on duty at the western
end of the dock-yard, adjoining Charlton Pier, disco-
vered flames issuing frem a wooden building in which
Mr. Grant's patent fuel fir steam-boats was prepared.
He instantly gave an alarm by springing his rattle,
and in a very short time the utmost confusion
prevailed. An express having been sent off to the
police in the town, as well as to the garrison, the drums
beat, bugles sounded, the fire-bells were rung, soldiers
were seen marching from all quarters, and the alarm
speedily spread throughout the town. Inspector
Robinson, who was on duty at the Dock-yard,
mustered his men, and proceeded, in company with
a detachment of the 15th Foot, to the spot,
taking one of the small Dock-yard engines along ivith
him. Unfortunately the engine was in such bad repair,
that it broke down upon the road. On arriving at the
spot, the flames were bursting, from beneath the flue
used to amalgamate the ingredients !of the patent fuel,
threatening from the combustible nature of the material
to demolish a brick building, and an extensive
smithy adjoining. A small engine, known as the
West Pump Engine, was brought up and got to
work, but little good was done. Subsequently two en-
gines from the sappers and miners' barracks, one from
the marines, and another from the artillery, were brought
to bear upon the flaming building, a good supply of
water being obtained from the basin. By dint of
great exertions the smithy and engine-house
were saved, but the building where the fire first
broke out was burnt to the ground in less than
an hour. As morning broke, a gang of 150 convicts
were set to work, and before many hours had elapsed,
all trace of the building or of the catastrophe was re-
moved. During the dense fog that prevailed, a boy be-
longing to a collier, lying off Woolwich, fell into the
basin and was drowned. A seaman was also hurt. This
is the second time that the building, in which the patent
fuel is prepared, has been destroyed."

STATE OF TRADE.
(From the Leeds Mercury.)
ENG Lisa WOOL MARKET, LEEDS, Nov. 19.—Sales
this week have been to supply the immediate require-
ments of the manufacturers, which, owing to the season,
are small. Ia combing wool, low and middle wethers
still go off more readily, and at better proportionate prices
than the finer qualities. Prices may be quoted about the
same as last.

TRADE OF LEEDS.—The very severe weather during
this week has rather improved the demand for winter
goods, and in fine and middle qualities for the American
market there has been about the same amount of business
done as for the last week or two. Prices are without any
alteration, notwithstanding the advance which has taken
place at the late sales in the price of Colonial wool._
Very few buyers have been in the market this week, an
in consequence there has been very little business doned
in the warehouses.
• s much
HUDDERSFIELD MARKET. Nov. 16.—This
la buyers
the same unsatisfactory market-day prin-
-1 few, and comparatively small sales effected.o In
cipal demand was in heavy low-priced
Nevertheless
other descriptions very little was done;h
f increased de-
prices remain firm, in the anticipation
otinuance of orders
as last wee The
'nand, as well, perhaps, as from a
warehouses is toler-
to a fair amount. Business in the w
with ho
pe for a
able, and the merchant looks forward
More stirring trade. ts worse : the number
The trade of Holmfirth still gel r
-ed workmen in-
of unemployed and inadequately erup }
by the
will be increased
creases. Their privations
winter
season has set in. Our
se-
verity with which the .
rates begin to be very op..
prospects are gloomy
; hPi°cllrissnly one stage above pau-
pressive to that class w
y of than are faring worse than
perism ; in fact
man-
paupers. How long the? cruelties of the wicked Corn-
are •
laws to be patiently borne
RoeuDALE
MARKET, Nov. 15.—There has
FLANNEL
been little or no change in the flannel market during the
the demand has beenprettyweeks
low. This
• still continue very last week
good, but prices
manufacturer has assigned over his effects for the
abenefit of
,
few thousand pounds. There
will automat to a is no
change in the wool market to report.
BRADF NW MARKET, NOV. 18.—We cannot report
any
better doings in manufactured goods, the shipping
season being now over, and nothing but small lots
required for assorting -up the merchants' stock.
We are glad to find the manufacturers acting cautiously,
and nothing like the ,usual quantity of goods making
as we have known at this season, which we trust will
have the effect of keeping prices steady. The demand
for yarns has not in any way improved, and the spinners
complain loudly of the depressed condition, and see nit
immediate hope of being' able to extend the hours oT
working, which are at present of a very limited cha-
racter, being daylight only. Prices without alteration.
There is a little more activity as regards the demand for
wether wool, but prices remain unimproved. The supply
of warp hogs is abundant, in consequence of the substi-
tution of cotton, and as the introduction of the latter is
extending, we see no prospect of any
advance in the
, price of hogs.—Leeds Mercury.

THE LATE INCENDIARY FIRES IN SUSSEX.
—Mr. Stanford has offered 100/. reward for the dis-
covery of the villains who set fire to a rick at Keymer,
Sussex, a few days since. The police are actively en-
gaged in the affair'