The Sun.
London, England, 1824-11-15 00:00:00

South America, with the exception of a Mail from
the Brazils, which was received on Saturday.—
From Rio Janeiro and Bahia the dates are not so
recent as those of the previous advices. From
Pernambucco the letters are dated the 26th Sep-
tember, at which time the town and neighbour-
ing country were perfectly quiet under the re-
stored authority of Don Pedro. It is said, that
the contract of a Loan mentioned some months
ago, as to be raised for the service of the newly-
formed State of Gueytimala, has been ratified,
and will be speedily brought out.

[MORNING POST.]
The Paris Journals which have been received
since our last, state that the determination of the
French Government to withdraw the greater part
of its army from Spain, had excited much alarm
amongst Ferdinand's Ministers, and had acca-
sioned representations and remonstrances against
the measure, which, we are glad to say, had
proved unavailing. The Chargis d'Affaires of
France, says au article from Madrid in the Jour-
nal des Dacia, had gone in person to the Escu-
rial, to announce to the King the evacuation of
part of the Peninsula, which, since the 25th of
October, had formed the subject of a continual
exchange of notes between this Diplomatist and
the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The measures
already resolved on were carrying mean-
while into execution with great activity,
and at the close of this month not a
single French soldier would be found in the
capital. The places which would remain occu-
pied were Cadiz, Barcelona, Figueras, Seu
d'Urgel, Pampeluna, and St. Sebastian. The
Military Commandants of these four latter places
were to be under the orders, it was said, of the
Generals at the head of divisions, who were
nearest to them. Those who commanded at the
two first were to receive direct the orders of the
Minister at War. Having failed in his endea-
vours to procure the continuance of the French
in Spain, it was generally believed that the re-
port originally circulated would be realized, and
that Ferdinand would retire to Burgos with the
Royal Family, to enjoy greater facilities of
making his escape into France if events should
render it necessary.

DIRITISLI PRESS.]
We have, on several occasions, animadverted
on the scandalous negligence of the water compa-
nies in respect to the supply of water for the ex-
tinction of the destructive conflagrations which
sometimes occur in this vast Metropolis. Yester-
day morning, in Fleet-street, there was one of the
most extensive fires that have taken place for
many years. Five houses are burned down, and
several others partially injured. The loss of pro-
perty,—much of it, we regret to learn, uninsured,
—has been immense. After the discovery of the
flames, it appears that more than 25 minutes
passed away in fruitless endeavours to obtain
water. The turncocks were not to be found, and
the engines that were in attendance were conse-
quently useless, and the, labours of the brave,
active, and zealous men, who were pulling up the
pavement, and making every effort in search of
the plugs, were rendered wholly abortive. The
supply of water is of more importance during the
first ten minuses than at any time afterwards. It
is while the flames may yet be subdued, as in
most cases they might with ease soon after the
fire is discovered, that the operations of the en-
gines can produce the greatest benefit. Many of
these dreadful calamities might be prevented, if
water in sufficient abundance could be at once
thrown upon the smothering masses, but if a de-
lay of half an hour be suffered to intervene,, the
excellent arrangements of the Insurance Offices,
and the skill and ability of the firemen, are of
little avail. Instead of suppressing the mischief
in its origin, they are reduced to be almost
powerless spectators of its progress, which rages
on without impediment, until, as in this instance,
it is checked by some party-wall, or other in-
surmountable obstruction. Considering the just
and severe reproofs which have been given from
the Bench, and through the Press, to the water
companies, for their shameful indifference to the
safety of the lives and property of those from
whom they derive their large gains, we had ex-
pected that they would have adopted some means
for facilitating an early and effectual supply of
water in these cases. It is now clear that some
legal remedy must, be applied to the evil. The
Water Companies must be compelled by positive
enactment to do their duty towards the public.
We trust, however, that the public will not con-
fine the manifestation of their sense of indignation
to the mere obtainment of this security for the
future. There are new companies soliciting pa-
tronage, and it wilt be well for every individual,
according to his convenience, to favour and sup-
port them. Interest and necessity will then
compel the performance of those obligations
which are now so wantonly neglected, to the im-
minent hazard of every person's life in every
walk of the community.