The Sun.
London, England, 1824-06-10 00:00:00

THE FIRE AT CARLTON PALACE.

The fire broke out in the sitting room adjoin-
ing the great hall, and next the crimson chamber.
His MAJESTY-, Sir Was. KNIGHTON, and suite,
arrived from Windsor about half-past ten o'clock,
and in about twenty minutes after, the servants
in the hall were surprised at a peculiar noise that j
proceeded from the sitting-room ; however they ,
took no particular notice till they heard it again,
and then one or two of them opened the door,
and a volume of smoke and flame burst forth
with alarming rapidity. The whole establishment
were immediately alarmed, and his Majesty, on
hearing the cause, went for personal safety to a
remote part of the building. Sir William
Knighton was one of the first on the spot, and
took an active part in endeavouring, with the ser-
vants, to extinguish the fire whilst in its in-
fancy. Messengers were instantly dispatched
for the engines, and shortly those of St.
James's parish arrived at the Palace, and
the pipes were conveyed into the interior
of the edifice; a plentiful supply of water being
obtained they were speedily put in motion, and
after considerable exertions the fire was hap-
pily confined to the sitting-room, in which the
damage sustained is most extensive and irre-
parable. The ceiling is entirely consumed, and
nothing but the girders are to be seen. It is with
regret we have to state that four inestimable por-
traits have been completely spoiled by the heat;
the canvas is so blistered that scarcely any trace
of the portraits are visible. They consist of a
beautiful full-length portrait of the late Duke of
Cumberland, painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds ;
another of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cla-
rence, by the celebrated Hopper ; another fine
portrait of Louis XV.; and another of the Duke
of Orleans. This was supposed to be one of the
finest pictures ever executed by Sir Joshua. A
half-length portrait of George 11. and a full-
length portrait of her late Majesty Queen Caroline
were the only two saved from the devastation.—
When the loss of the above valuable paintings
was made known to his Majesty he appeared
evidently much concerned, as they were highly
esteemed by his late revered father. The dis-
aster is supposed to have originated in the follow-
ing manner :—From the ceiling of the sitting-
room, which has of late years been used as a
waiting-room, was suspended a superb lustre,
and to keep the dust from approaching it it was
closed in a large holland bag, which hung below
, the bottom of the chandelier. Immediately under

this bag stood a small table, upon which were
placed some lighted candles, and it is therefore
beyond a doubt the flame issuing from them
caught the bag and caused the sad calamity.—
There is no blame, we understand, to be attached

to any individual connected with the Roya
establishment. The fire was purely accidental.

THE KING AND THE WATCHMAN.—it is said, that dur-
ing the fire his MAJESTY came into the court-yard, dressed in
his usual plain manner, and wearing a travelling cap. Whilst
walking about, he was accosted by one of the watchmen of the
Palace, who, being unacquainted with his person, told him "he
must not walk there, as no strangers were permitted to walk
about that place at that hour." The King took no notice of the
mistake, and continued to walk about; but the watchman was
not to he driven from what he considered to be his duty, and
was in the act of laying hands on his Sovereign, for the pur-
pose of putting him out of the court, when some of the attend-
ants came up, and informed him of the rank of the illustrious
" stranger." The poor watchman's consternation at this dis-
covery may be easily imagined; but the King soon kindly
relieved him from his embarrassment, by good-humouredly
laughing at the circumstance, and telling him to think no more
of it.

ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL.-This day being the
anniversary of the Annual Sermon at this Sacred
Edifice, the Children of the respective Charity
Schools were early in the morning on the alert.
The rain,however, fell in showers so heavy during
the morning, that it was found necessary to convey
the dear children in coaches and thus Fleet-street
and every avenue was completely blocked. In fact,
it was twelve o'clock before all bad got within
the church. The sermon
was preached by the
Bishop of EXETER. The Duke of GLOUCESTER
was present, as was a very numerous assemblage
of noblemen and gentlemen.

COURT OF KING'S BENCII.—(TuIs Di y.)

ASSAULT AND BATTERY.
THE KING- W. FINCHAM AND ANOTHER.

This was au indictment preferred against the
defendants for an alleged gross and scandalous
assault committed on the plaintiff, a female
named Palmer, on the 31st January last. It ap-
peared the parties are neighbours, and reside in.
Long-alley, Ntoorfields. On the day iu question
a row ensued between them, which continued
with such fury, that in the course of the affray
the defendants repeatedly assaulted the plain-
tiff, spit in her face, and knocked her
down. Out the part of the prosecution,
several witnesses were called who distinctly
proved the alleged assault. For the defence four
witnesses were examined, and they positively
stated that no blows took place, but admitted
there was a great row, and the language used
was very disgraceful. The Loan CHIEF JusTics
summed up the evidence and left the case to the
Jury, who, after a few minutes consultation,
found both the defendants Guilty.

OLD DAILET—(Tme DAT.)
CARLTLE'S BLASPIUMOUS PuBLICATIO NS.—
James Clark was indicted for publishing a blas-
phemous and scandalous libel of and concerninz
our holy religion. The features of this case
were the same as those which have characterised
the former trials, with this exception, that the
prisoner boldly avowed the principles of Paine.
Verdict, Gull/N.