The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-26 00:00:00

FIRE IN A CHURCH.

Yesterday forenoon an alarming outbreak of fire oc-
curred at All . Saints' Church, Oxford-road, Manchester,
but, fortunately, the congregation were dismissed without
any panic. The fire originated in the overheating of the
apparatus for warming the building, and was extinguished
after severalpews and a great part of the flooring had been
burnt. The communion table was also entirely destroyed.

FATAL ICE ACCIDENT TO MR. JOHN
WALTER (JUN.), OF BEARWOOD.
A most melancholy catastrophe happened in Berkshire
on Saturday last. Mr, John Walter, aged 26, the eldest
son of John Walter, Esq., M.P., of Bearwood, near
Wokingham, Berks, returned home to his father's seat
on Thursday evening last, after a tour in the East
and other foreign climes, extending over two years. On
Saturday Mr. J. Walter, accompanied by his eldest son
and other members of the family, and by Captain
Edward Walter and his lady and family, went to
Bearwood Lake for an afternoon's recreation on the ice.
About a quarter past three, while all were enjoying them-
selves, the ice gave way near the island, and Mr. John
Walter, jun., and Master Tom. Walter, Master Francis
Walter, Master Henry Walter, and Master Richard, the
son of Captain Walter, were all immersed. The lake,
which covers a space of about 80 acres, was at this spot
30 feet deep. Immediately Mr. Arthur Walter, James
Rackley, the boatkeeper, and others rushed to the
rescue, while Mr. John Walter, jun., nobly
endeavoured to keep his immersed brothers and
cousin from sinking ; but the ice continually broke under
their grasp, and the hole in the ice became wider.
eventually four of the party were rescued, and there is no
doubt that the saving of the lives of three out of the four
young gentlemen is due to the heroic exertions of Mr. John
Walter, jun., and he was last seen to endeavour to lift and
throw the youngest towards the margin of the ice, where
assistance was at hand, when he suddenly sank. Every
means were used to recover the body, and the lake was
dragged, but the body was not recovered until nearly seven
o'clock. Mr. Barford, surgeon, NV okingham, was promptly
in attendance, but of course the deceased gentleman was
beyond all human aid. The deceased had not been home
more than forty-eight hours when his body was taken out
of the water, and had it not been for this sad accident it
was intended to have returned thanks to Almighty God
in Bearwood Church yesterday (Christmas Day) for his
safe return, and festivities on a large scale had been pre-
pared for Monday (this day). Great gloom has been cast
over the whole neighbourhood, for the so suddenly be-
reaved parent is respected throughout the whole district.
An inquest will be held in due course.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—HaIf-a-Crown Day, Satur-
day, December 24th, 1870.—Admissions by season tickets,
4,370 ; ditto on payment, 1,095 ; total visitors, 5,465.

• THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES.—A
bable visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Ireland
next year has attracted a good deal of interest in that
country. His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, at the
Mansion House, Dublin, on Friday evening, ex-
pressed his hope that the promised visit would take place
on the occasion of the annual show of the Royal Agricu-
tural Society, of which the Prince is president. Lord
Spencer added that he would do all in his power to ensure
it, and every one feels certain that he will. Their royal
highnesses are, it is said, anxious to come again to Ire-
laud, and, if so, it is hardly conceivable that any difficulty
on the subject can arise.