The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-03 00:00:00

DREADFUL FIRE.

Yesterday morning, between the hours of twelve and one,
a fire of a most fearful character, by which it is supposed
one or two persons IoA their lives, broke out at :31, Cal-
craft-terrace, New-cut, Lambeth, known as the Exhibi-
tion of 'Nature and Art, the property of a Mr. Fergus-
son. Froth inquiries made during the burning of the
fire, the reporter learned from the proprietor of the
establishment, that whilst he and one or two other per-
sons were sitting in the front kitchen, they were sud-
denly alarmed at hearing a loud crackling noise proceed-
ing from the exhibition-room. Upon getting to the top
of the staircase, they found that the exhibition was
wrapped in one sheet of flame. An instant cry of
"Fire" was raised by Mr. Fergusson, in order to arouse
the other inmates of the place, but whilst he was endea-
vouring to wake them the flames made such fearful
progress that it was with the greatest difficulty that any
one could escape. As it was, the persons in the lower
floor were severely singed in getting out. Intelligence
having been sent to the engine stations, in the course of
a few minutes the brigade engine from Waterloo-road
was at the scene, followed immediately afterwards by
the-West of England firemen and engine. At that pe-
riod the flames had broken through the front window
shutters, and they were rapidly extending themselves to
the tipper floors. Without delay the engines were set
to work from an abundant supply of water furnished by
the Lambeth Company. The exhibition being of a very
inflammable character, 'the figures being composed prin-
cipally of wax, the flames rose with such rapidity, that
before a drop of water could be discharged into the
place, the building was fired from the ground to the
roof. Under the direction of Mr. Hambleton and Mr.
Connorton, the engines were worked with full vigour, in
spite of which the fire still continued to burn most fu-
riously, and before one o'clock they had burnt through
the roof, when the inhabitants of the several surround-
ing houses became apprehensive that the conflagration
would prove of a most extensive character. Other en-
gines of the brigade, with Mr. Henderson, the foreman
of the D section, and Mr. Braidwood, the superintendent,
followed each other in rapid succession, with the County
engine. By strenuous exertions on the part of the fire-
men the flames were got down, by half-past one, but not
until the exhibition of wax-work figures, the living ser-
pentrand monkey, were destroyed. The whole of the
furniture in the upper floors is likewise consumed, and
there is every ground to suppose that, at the least, one
or two Yuman beings have been hurried into eternity by
this Calamitous event. Mr. Fergusson assured the re-
porter that he was fearful a daughter of his housekeeper
had perished in the flames, but he was quite certain
that a female dwarf', named Robertson, had been burnt
to death. He stated that she was sleeping in the back
room third foor, and had not the least possibility of
erecting her escape. How the fire originated cannot be
ascertained. Mr. Fergusson estimates the loss of his
exhibition alone at upwards of 1,0001. Inspectors Horns-
by and Rogers, of the M and L divisions, with a strong
muster of police, were present, and rendered great ser-
vice to the firemen, by keeping the immense crowd out
of danger.

FURTHER PARTICULARS.
Yrsm inquiries made upon the spot at a late hour yes-
terday morning, we were informed that as soon as circum-
stances would permit, the firemen made an examination of
the premises, and under the pile of charred timber they
found the body of the female dwarf, who formed a
portion of the exhibition. Her lower extremities were
much burned, and her features considerably disfigured.
She had retired to rest in an upper. apartment. The
servant, Who also resided in the house, we believe,
escaped uninjured. The body of the dwarf was con-
veyed to Waterloo Church, to await a coroner's inquest.

MEADOWS' SPANISH GRAMNIA.R.--ThiS is a very
useful little volume. The author is evidently well ac-
quainted with the language. It will materially assist
all students, and it contains much valuable information
in a small compass. Meadows' Grammar is one which
we would highly recommend to all desirous of learning
Spanish.

MILITARY MOVEMENTS.--THE LATE BREVIET.—
We understand that towards the end of this week the
head-quarters and five or six companies of the 74th
Highlanders may be expected in Glasgow from Aber.
been, by way of Edinburgh, to be stationed in that gar-
rison. We believe also that the 2d battalion Royal re-
giment is to proceed from Edinburgh to Manchester,
there to be stationed for the present. We are informed
that it 'as beennotifiecP-that all the staff officers lately
promoted by brevet are to continue to act in their former
appointments in their respective localities until the
cl6te of the quarter ending 31st December instant—Ca-
ledonian 1tier047...
ARCTIC EXITDITION. —The Truelove, Captain
Parker, the last of the whalers from Davis' Straits, ar-
rived at this port 01. Monday night, the 23d instant, with
two fish, about 20 tuns of oil, and reports that no intelli-
gence whatever had been heard during the season of the
Terror, commanded by Sir John Franklin, and the
Erebus, in the command of Captain Crozier, the vessels
sent out by the Admiralty in the spring of 1845 to seek
a north-west passage. They were supposed to be up
Lancaster Sound, but on account of the great body of ice
to the north, none of the whalers had this year pene-
trated in search of them.—Hull Pepin
CASINO DE VENISE AND BAL REDOTTO.—This is
the title given to an elegant winter entertainment, for
which purpose the National Laths, 218, High Holborn,
are being fitted up in a style of treat magnificence ; and,
we are informed, will shortly open for the season, under
the lesseeship and management of Mr. H. Coleman, a
gentleman well known among the dramatic and musical
circles of the United States of America.
FALL IN THE PRICE OF MuTTos.—We do not
know if the statement in the London papers, as to the
royal disfavour into which mutton has falien, be the
cause or not, but it has fallen in price here this week, in
eonsequence of a fall in the price of sheep at several
sales in the neighbourhood. Three-year-old wedders,
which, a few weeks ago, were worth from 255. to 28s.
a head; have been sold as low as 21s. ; and good mutton
is now selling in town at sd. per lb.; 6d., and 7r1., having
been the average prices previously.—Perth Courier.
AnutaALCO-CKBURN.—With pleasure -we
tears that public rumour has very much exaggerated the
illness of Sir G. Cockburn. We are assured, on the best
!tuthority, that he has only had a slight attack of para-
lysis in his. left arm, but is now rapidly recovering.
THEreseived Bald CONTEST`, OF LONDON.—A letter was
at Lloyd's, on Tuesday afternoon, from the Ad-
y _announcing that the senior officer on the coast
tlt reported that Lieut. Alston, in charge of
seen tiClbri; entiouptLatntaloon, had, on the 3d July last,
London, on shore off Alignay,
and that in half an h' o she broke up. Master, mate',
and a boy drowned, in°arattempting to reach the shore ;
three men saved.
Such is the scarcity of labourers that the guardians
or the Sheffield union have beenr
requested to send to a
ve-
farming gentleman in the neighbourhoo
plying to them for relief who may be eapabylenior paper_-
forming agricultural labour.—Sheffield Timm