The Sun.
London, England, 1841-11-06 00:00:00

FIRE IN THE TOWER OF LONDON.
About mid-day yesterday smoke issued from one of
the apartments in the Bowyer Tower, indicating that the
devouring element was not yet powerless, but it was
soon extinguished.
The scaffolding erected in front of the grand entrance
for the purpose of saving the sculptured coat of arms
(and which has been contracted for by Messrs. Harri-
son), is now nearly completed, and hopes are entertained
that this fine work of art will be taken down with very
little injury. It was executed by the celebrated Gib-
bons, and great merit is due to the Board of Ordnance
for their attempts to save it.
Colonel Gurwood, Governor of the Tower, who left
England for the Continent on Saturday morning last,
has not yet returned. Despatches were forwarded to
him on Monday, acquainting him with the melancholy
disaster, but it is supposed that they' have not yet
reached his hands.

The Board of Ordnance met again yesterday, and
proceeded with the investigation, Colonel Peel in the
Chair. Mr. Swifte, and several gunsmiths were exa-
mined, but the profoundest secrecy is observed.
No person is allowed to go over the ruins, unless pro-
vided with an order in Major Elrington's name.
That portion of the Tower denominated the view de-
partment, in which the arms were inspected previous to
being brought into service, is entirely destroyed, and my-
riads (it may almost be said) of cavalry swords, carbines,
and fusees are blended in one undistinguishable mass in
the cellars beneath.

Major Elrington, the Governor, on Tuesday submitted
to his Grace the Duke of Wellington a report contain-

ing all the,. circumstances relative io the fire, and yester-
day the following communication from his Grace rela-
tive to the subject was publicly read to the officers and
entire battalion of Scotch Fusileer Guards on the *ade
fronting the Armoury.

" London, November 3, 1841.

" Sir—l beg to communicate to the officers of the
Tower and the warders the expression of the sense I en-
tertain of the general zeal, alacrity, diligence, and in-
telligence which they displayed in the performance of
the laborious duties imposed upon them in consequence
of the occurrence of the late calamitous event in the
Tower.

" I selected them for the appointments which they
hold in the Tower for those very qualifications in the
performances of their duties in their several regiments ;
and I am happy to find that the public have had the ad-
vantage of being served by men of this description.
" I will not fail to report their conduct in such quar-
ters as that a knowledge of their merits may reach our
most gracious Sovereign.
" I have the honour to be faithfully yours,
" Major Elrington. " WELLINGTON."

WOOL WICH.—Nov. 5,
ROYAL ARTILLERY.
GENERAL ORDER, OCT. 29, 1841.
The Master-General directs the following circular
from the Horse Guards, dated Ist inst., to be promul-
gated in general orders to the Royal Artillery, and de-
sires in the event of parties of Artillery being required
to escort deserters by railway, that the army practice be
adopted.
(Signed) J. E. JONES, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
(Circular.)
" Horse Guards, Oct. 1, 1841.
" Memorandum.—The General Commanding-in-Chief
desires that escorts proceeding by railroads in charge of
deserters do not load their muskets until they shall have
quitted the train, and that whilst travelling by the rail-
road-carriages the deserters may be handcuffed.
" By command of the Right Honourable the General
Commanding-in-Chief.
(Signed) J. MACDONALD, Adjutant-General."
ROYAL MARINE OFFICE.
The following appointments and promotions, dated
Nov. 3, have taken place in the Royal Marines:—
First Lieut. James Buchannair, of the Woolwich divi-
sion, to be Captain, and appointed to the same division,
vice Captain W. Wood, placed on half-pay.
First Lieut. Henry George Mitford, of the Woolwich
division, to be Captain, and appointed to the Chatham
division, vice Capt. H. G. Morrish, placed on half-pay.
Second Lieut. John H. Mercer, of the Woolwich divi-
sion, to be First Lieut. in the same division, vice Buchan-
nan, promoted.
Second Lieut. George W. Whiting, to be First Lieut.
and appointed to the Woolwich division, vice Mitford,
promoted.
The funeral of the late Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. G. G.
Lee, Knight, took place privately this morning at ten
o'clock. The body was interred in the parish church-
yard of Woolwich.
ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY.
The gentlemen cadets, having obtained permission,
held a masquerade last evening, and the proceedings
were conducted with great spirit and the highest satis-
faction to all parties. The RacquetsCourt was covered
in for the occasion, a gallery erected for the accommo-
dation of their friends and the families of the officers
and respectable gentry in the neighbourhood, and the
whole space very tastefully decorated with transparen-
cies, a profusion of lamps and evergreens, and had a
very fine effect. Shortly after eight o'clock Major-
General Sir George Whitmore, K.C.H., Lieutenant-
Governor of the Institution, arrived, and was received
by the band of Royal Artillery playing " God save the
Queen," and the gentlemen cadets all standing unco-
vered. Dancing then commenced, and the evening was
spent in the greatest harmony. The masks were excel-
lent, and the characters well sustained, particularly
three young gentlemen, who sung the Canadian boat
song. There appeared to be every variety of costume
usual on such occasions, and got up with great taste,
considering the idea of the masquerade had been so short
a time in contemplation. At halt-past eleven the band
again played " God save the Queen," and the company
separated after a delightful evening's entertainments.