The Sun.
London, England, 1841-09-13 00:00:00

DREADFUL FIRE IN PICCADILLY.
Yesterday evening, about half-past nine o'clock, a fire
broke out on the premises No. 87, Piccadilly, in the pos-
session of Mr. Salmon, a fruit salesman, which was at-
tended with most disastrous results. From the con-
fusion, and the circumstance of the police peremp-
torily refusing admittance within a certain dis-
tance of the house, we found it impossible
to ascertain how, or in what part of the house, the
fire originated ; however, the general opinion was, that
it first broke out in the shop, and was caused by an escape
of gas. About ten o'clock the house was in one mass of
flames, and shortly after the roof fell in with a tre-
mendous crash. There being nothing but the bare
walls standing the fire was soon got under. In a
short time afterwards it was found that the roof and
upper story of the Duke of Grafton's mansion, which
stands next to Mr. Salmon's house, had taken
fire, notwithstanding that the firemen kept the
hose continually playing upon it. The utmost
consternation prevailed amongst the domestics, as the
roof was in flames in three different places at the back of
the mansion, where it was found extremely difficult to
bring the engines into play. The firemen succeeded
twice in subduing the flames, when it broke out
with redoubled violence, so much so as to induce the
servants to meditate the removal of the furniture, par-

titulary some very valuable paintings, which were on
the first floor. Fortunately, about half-past twelve, it
was so far subdued as to induce no further fears for the
consequences. When the flames in Mr. Salmon's premises
were got under, two firemen, named Weaver and West,
entered the house, when a portion of wood-work gave
way, and buried them beneath it. Every exertion was
made to rescue them by the large body of
firemen present ; but a considerable time elapsed
before the rubbish could be removed so as to en-
able them to be got out, and when it was effected,
it was stated that West was dead, and Weaver danger-
ously injured. Two cabs were called, in which they were
placed, and removed to the Hospital. In consequence of it
being Sunday, and the evening very fine, the vast number
of persons who were promenaing in the western parks,
congregated in the Green Park, and at one time there could
not have been less than from 15 000 to 20,000 persons
present. We are unable to state whether or not Mr.
Salmon is insured
LATEST PARTICULARS.—LOSS OF LIFE.

The Fire was in a great measure got under about 11
o'clock, when, we regret to state, it was discovered that
one person was killed, and another so dreadfully injured
that his death is expected to take place hourly. The two
unfortunate men both belonged to the County Fire Of-
fice, the name of the deceased is William West, and that
of the other is Weaver. It appears that these two poor
fellows, with Poynder and another fireman, had unper-
ceived entered the passage of Mr. Salmon's shop, for
the purpose of cutting away some skirting which pre-
vented those on the outside from reaching a body of fire
which was raging in the joists whicih supported the bal-
cony. Shortly afteYwards a crash was heard, followed
by a loud and piercing cry, and the next instant Poynder
rushed out of xfie passage of the private house of Mr.
Nixon, and stated there were persons buried under the
burning ruins. Several of the firemen instantly went
in and saw one of the hands of West, who was heard

to exclaim " Oh Lord, Oh Lord ! " followed by a deep
groan. In about an hour and a half the firelren suc-
ceeded in getting him out, when the body presented a
most dreadful sight. About five o'clock the men suc-
ceeded in extracting Weaver, who was found to have his

thighs and ribs broken, but alive ; he was instantly con-
veyed to St. George's Hospital. The front of the pre-
mises in which the fire originated is expected every
minute to fall in. The damage done to the residence of
the Duke of Grafton is very great.

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.
(From the United Service Gazette.)
We mentioned in our last Gazette that detachments
bad been ordered to be held in readiness to embark
from Ireland for the Mediterranean and the colonies.
We now proceed to enumerate the strength of the re-
spective draughts which we then alluded to, and to give
a detail of others which have since been added to the
list :

For the West Indies-4 officers and 31 men from the
depot of the 33d Regiment.
1 Captain, 2 Ensigns, 2 Sergeants, and 60 rank and
file from the depot of the 47th.
1 Captain, 2 Ensigns, 2 Sergeants, and 80 rank and
file from the depot of the 52d.
1 Major, 1 Captain, 2 Ensigns, 3 Sergeants, and 80
rank and file from the depot of the 81st.
For Jamaica-1 Major, 2 Captains, 2 First Lieute-
nants, 2 Second Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, and 60 rank
and file, from the depot of the 2d battalion, 60th ; 2
Captains, 2 Lieutenants, 2 Ensigns, 3 Sergeants, and 100
rank and file, from the depot of the 82d.
For Bermuda—The service companies (complete) of
the 2d battalion Rifle Brigade.
For Malta-1 Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants, and 40 rank and
file from the depot of the 19th; 1 Lieutenant, 1 Sergeant,
and 30 rank and file from the depot of the 88th; 1 Lieu-
tenant, 1 Sergeant, and 30 rank and file, from the depot
of the Ist battalion Rifle Brigade.
For Corfu-1 Lieutenant, 1 Sergeant, and 30 rank and
file, from the depot of the 97th.
For Gibraltar-1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants‘
and 50 rank and file, from the depot of the Ist battaliu
Royal.
1 Major, 1 Captain, 1 Sergeant, and 25 rank and file,
from the depot of the sth Fusileers.
1 Lieutenant, 1 Sergeant, and 40 rank and file, from
the depot of the 7th Fusileers.
1 Captain, 1 Sergeant, and 40 rank and file, from the
depot of the 46th.
1 Lieutenan t-Colonel, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Sergeant, 1 Drum-
mer, and 40 rank and file, from the depot of the 48th.
All these detachments are to be embarked for Cork.

The General Steam Navigation Company's
Packet, the Ocean, from Rotterdam, arrived off the
Custom-house yesterday.
The following is an extract from the letter of a
foreigner, dated Lyons :—" The ninth session of the
Scientific Congress of France opened here on the Ist in-
stant. It was a fine spectacle to behold all our popula-
tion joining our magistrates to honour this intellectual
festival. It was not confined to savants and artists, but
manufacturers, merchants, and even workmen quitted
their atteliers, and the priests their churches, to become
either members of or auditors at this Scientific Congress;
so that this meeting is four or five times more numerous
than any of the preceding ; the list amounted to 1,100
names. The Congress assisted at a high mass in our old
metropolitan church before its installation. The com-
missaries of the fete put up the flags of all the European
nations. The large ball was too small to contain the nu-
merous members who endeavoured to obtain an entrance.

In accordance with the suggestions of a Par-
liamentary Committee, the Dean and Chapter of Dur-
ham have thrown the Cathedral (with the exception of
the Chapel of Nine Altars) open to the public, for the
purpose of enabling them to view the building, monu-
ments, &c.
THE CORN-LAWS AND FREE TRADE WITH
AMERICA.—A very important meeting took place in the
Corn Exchange, Hanging Ditch, on Wednesday even-
ing, to hear a detailed statement from James Curtis,
Esq., of Ohio, United States, " on the capability and
willingness of the Americans to supply England with an
abundance of corn, in exchange for our manufactures."
Richard Cobden, Esq., M.P., took the Chair. Amongst
the gentlemen on the platform, besides Mr. Cobden and
Mr. Curtis, we noticed Mr. Alderman Brooks, Mr. Wil-
liam Rawson, Rev. William Shuttleworth, and several
gentlemen of the Anti-Corn-law League. Many hun-
dreds left the doors because unable to find even standing
room.—Manchester Times.
MODESTY.—The first of all virtues is inno-
cence ; the next modesty. If we banish modesty out of
the world, she carries away with her half the virtue that
is in it.

We are glad to see that the grocers, druggists,
drapers, &c., of this town follow up their rules of closing
their shops at eight o'clock during the winter months,
and we hope that others will follow their example, so
as to conter a benefit on their journeymen and appren-
tices.—Sheffield Mercury.
A statue of the late William Van Mildert,
Bishop of Durham, has been brought from Rome, and
it is to be placed in the Cathedral of Durham. [The
Bishop of Exeter should look to this matter. There is a
strong savour of heresy in going to Borne for a prelate,
even in marble, and to place it in a cathedral too ! What
can Dr. Phillpotts be about, that he is insensible to such a
glaring instance of the Church in danger ?--BristolPaper.
The beautiful planet Venus was eclipsed by the
moon on the 12th instant, in the morning; immersion at
thirty minutes past six, and emersion forty-two minutes
after seven. •

SPORTING.—The following notice was served
on a neighbour
days since by a farmer of Broad-
clist sir_i ad
few
by
o not fill satisfied by your taking such
libertys over my ground
:---,.
wich means i forbid you And
all Gather Sporting c haor,s from trepesing over the
SAM with Ought my liberty."
_Western Times.
VIVIPAROUS CUCti
traordinary circumstance toMolllEß.—The following ex-
place
Ashford, the seat of the Itc(v. N.
at Goddington, near
(Mr. Pilcher) on opening a cucumber, m". The gardenerdiscovered several
young plants which had perfectede
their seed-leaves ;
those he immediately placed in a
frame,
and in the
course of a few weeks he will be cutti •
ng fruit from
them,
and at the same time from the parent
plant,. which is still
in good health and vigour.—Kent Herald.
THE LATE MURDER IN NEWCASTLE. --A
man of the name of John Grey, a shoemaker, who had
been some time in custody on suspicion of being one of
the persons who murdered John _Anderson, in Blue
Anchor Chare, Quayside, has been discharged, He
proved satisfactorily that he was not near the place of
the murder during the night on which it was perpetrated.
A woman of the name of Hill has since been appre-
hended by the police, and there is reason to suppose,
from the contradictory statements . she has made, that
she is acquainted with the actual parties who committed
the outrage. The evidence before the Coroner led to the
conclusion that the violation of the unfortunate woman's
person was the object of her assailants ; but from cir-
cumstances which have since come to light, there is a
supposition that the deceased was robbed of some arti-
cles of trifling value.—Durham Chronicle.
Several Members of the Cabinet had interviews
with Sir R. Peel on Saturday morning at Whitehall. The
Right Hon. Baronet was visited in the course of the day
by several influential Members of the Conservative party.
A HINT TO TOADIES.—It is stated that Miss
Southme d _
ida , a venerable spinster, who died the other day
b
in St. '• well' s, had made awill
equally amongst all her relations. About two years ago
she altered her will, and left
because he never
called upon nor troubled her."—
Western Times.
A salmon was taken last week inthe T. river ' i”,
near Cardigan,weighing 311 b
.s. and measuring 4 feet in
length, and 2
feet in girth.— Wales Independent.