The Sun.
London, England, 1824-04-29 00:00:00

DEsTRucTIYE FIRk

EDINDURGU, APIUL It6.—Yesterday morning,
between five and six o'clock, a fire broke out in the premises
occupied as a brass foundry by Messrs. Armstrong, Niddry-
street. The city engines were promptly upon the spot, and
every exertion was used to stay the progress of the devouring
element. The flames, however, so rapidly gained strength,
that they Wiled all the efforts of the firemen to subdue their
force, and in a short time they communicated with the printing-
office of Messrs. Hay, Gall, and Co. immediately above the
foundry, so that before eight o'clock the whole of these exten,
sive premises were enveloped in one dreadful and destructive
flame, exhibiting a scene at once fearful and awfully grand !
Upon the arrival of engines from Leith, their additional powers
were promptly exercised to defend the buildings on the north
of the foundry and printing-office. The fire, however, had by
this time burst into the rooms above the shop of Mr. Morton,
agent and leather factor, the upper flooring of whicld speedily
gave way, and the roof fell in with a tremendous crash. But
the diligence of the firemen at last became successful, and the
flames were prevented from farther extending their savages.-_.
We learn that, by the exertions of Mr. Gall and some of his
workthen, the office books and 3 few valuable stereotype forms,
and other printing materials, were preserved. Mr. Gall also,
at the imminent hazard of his life, contrived to save a money-
drawer from one of the rooms, which was at the time shrouded
in smoke and flame. One of the firemen was severely bruised
by the falling of a burning plank: we have not heard of any
other personal injury sustained at the fire.—The extensive
stock of leather in Mr. Morton's warehouse, in value to from
ten to twelve thousand pounds, by the exertions of the legal
authorities, was all saved from being injured by the fire, ex-
cepting one or two dozen of sheep skins ;and the whole was
removed to a place of safety.--The Sheriff; Magistrates, Capt.
Robison of the Police, and a strong body of his officers, with
a number of the military from the Castle, were on the spot
soon after the fire broke out.—We understand the premises
were insured.

The disturbances on Friday night were marked
by a ferocity and a love of mischief, which reflect
disgrace on the lower orders of this city. At the
head of the North Bridge, any person respect-
ably dressed, while walking past, was called to
by the mob to take off his hat, and if this order
was not instantly complied with, he was assailed
by bands of young lads, knocked down, probably
his hat carried off, and his clothes torn. In con-
sequence of this cowardly mode of attack, seve-
ral persons were severely hurt.—(Edinburgh
Courant)

THE KING'S LATE BARD.

MR. EDITOR---111 consequence of what has ap-
peared in some of the public prints relative to
the late EDWARD JONES, Bard to the KING, as
he was denominated, several unfavourable re-
marks have been made by persons who conceive
that he was neglected in his old age by his Royal
Master. The fact is, that the situation of Bard
to the Prince of Wales was merely an honorary
one bestowed on Mr. JONES at the request of
some friends who interested themselves in his
behalf, and all the emolument he ever derived
from it was apartments in St. James's Palace to
reside in, which he occupied until the period,
when a part of the building was destroyed by lire.
Mr. JONES was born at a farm in Merioneth-
shire, called Henblas, or Old Mansion, in 1752.
His father was, what is generally termed, a mu-
sical genius ; he not only could play on various
instruments, but he also made several ; he taught
two of his sons, EDWARD and THOMAS, the Welsh
Harp, another son, the Spinuet, and another the
Violin ; be performed on the Organ, so that the
44 Family Concert" was at least a tolerably strong
one. EDWARD JONES came to London about 50
years ago, under the patronage of several persons
of distinction connected with the Principality.
His performance on the Harp was considered in
those days—when taste, feeling, and expression,
were the characteristic features of a Lyrist, to
be very superior. He met with great encourage-
ment, and had the honour of giving instructions
to many Ladies of rank.
In conjunction with Dr. 0. PUGIIE, Mr. WAL.
TERS, and a few literary friends, he published
a volume of Ancient Bardic Lope, and Welsh
Airs, about thirty years ago, and in four years
afterwards brought out a second volume, contain-
ing much valuable historical information. In

1820 he published the first part of a third volume,
and has employed his days chiefly since in pre-
paring the remainder, so as to complete the
work ; but he was not permitted to accomplish
it. He had been severely afflicted with rheuma-
tic pains for some time, and his memory became
daily more defective ; he was a very reserved
man, and passed most of his time alone, with his
chamber door locked. He had been a collector
of scarce books, and possessed many valuable
ones ; but his inability to follow his professional
pursuits, and his high spirit preventing him from
making his situation known to his relatives, caused
him to dispose of a part of his library, on the
produce of which he existed.

I and many others saw that he was daily be-
coming au object of our friendly attention, and
we endeavoured to ascertain his circumstances ;
but from him we could learn nothing, notwith-
standing it was pretty certain that he passed many
days without a dinner.
It became at length a duty incumbent on us to
take him under our care ; a recommendation to
the Governors of the Royal Society of Musicians
was signed by Mr. F. CRAMER, KNTYETT, SHARP,
SHIELD, •MACKINTOSH, myself, and a few others,
which was promptly attended to, and an annuity
of fifty pound: was granted him—unknow to him.

I was deputed to give him the first monthly
payment. It was in the evening when I called ;
I found him locked in his room, at his lodgings
in Great Chesterfield-street, Mary-le-bone; I was
admitted, he did not recollect me immediately,
although Most intimately acquainted with him ;
he had his dressing gown and night cap on, his
harp standing by the table, on which was a
blotted sheet of music paper. I told him the
purport of my visit, but lie did not pay much at-
tention to me, and only asked, with much fer-
vency, whether I knew " The Melody of Mona,"
a most beautiful pathetic Welch air, in the minor
key, to which Mrs. HEYMAN bus written an excel-
lent song, called The Lamentof the Lust Druid."
lie took his harp, and with a trembling hand,
Struck the deep sorrows of his Lyre,"
It was impossible nut to feel affected on such an
occasion--the scene reminded me of the dying
hour of a celebrated Bard, who called for his
tarp, and performed a most plaintive strain—
" Sweet solace of my dying hour,
Ere yet my arm forget its power,
• Give to my falt'ring hand my shell
Ono strain to bid the world farewell."

In a few days afterwards he was sitting in his
room, when he fell in a fit; the landlady, who
sat in the apartment below, heard a noise ; she
ran up, but could not gain admission ; she called,
but received no answer; she was greatly alarmed

—went for assistance—the door was burst open,
when the poor Bard was found lying on his face,
with a heavy chair on his back.
Messrs. PARKER and JoNis, -of Devonshire-
street, were called in, and every attention was
paid to him, but in vain ; he laid senseless for two
days, and expired without a groan.
When tidings of his death were made public,
several of his old friends called to offer their as-
sistauce, and highly to the credit of the benevo-
lent feelings of their Royal Highnesses the Duke
and Duchess of GLOUCESTER, they sent to ascer-
tain if any pecuniary aid was required to bury
him in a respectable manner. He has a brother
and a sister in London, who have done every
thing in their power. He has left a number of
valuable books and much music, so that his effects
will more than defray the expenses of his funeral,
which took place on Sunday last. He was fol-
lowed to his silent home in Mary-le-bone burial
ground by a few of his old friends, including
myself.
The idle reports relative to a successor having
been appointed are scarcely worthy notice, only
with a view of contradicting them. While his
MAJESTY was Prince of Wales he had his bard,
and no longer ; the epithet of " Bard to the
King" was given to Mr. JONES by his friends ;
and never officially bestowed on him, conse-
quently he was not entitled to any pension from
Government. But had his situation here been
made known to our benevolent MONARCH, I need
not add, that due attention would have been
paid to it.
I have honosr to be your obedient servant,
.1011 N PA *AR Y, Registrar of Music to the
April 26, 1824. Royal Cambrian Institation.