The Sun.
London, England, 1834-08-20 00:00:00

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT LIVERPOOL.

On Saturday night last, between the. hours of 10 and
11, this town was thrown into a state of alarm, in conse-
quence of a fire having broken out near the Salthouse-dock.
The volumes of flame emitted from the neighbourhood il-
luminated nearly the whole of the town and docks, and the
consternation for fear any portion of the shipping had ig-
nited was very great. On inquiry, however, it appeared
that the cause of alarm originated by workshops and out-
housestelonging to Messrs. Clarke and Nixon, ship-builders,
of Cornhill, near the docks, having taken fire, threatening
destruction to the whole of the premises, and the vessels
then on the stocks, in a state of formation, in that and the
adjoining shipwrights' yards. The fire which broke out in a
large stove, used for the purpose of drying timber, and fixed
at the bottom of the workshops and sawpit, was first
discovered by Mr. Forrester, an inspector of the dock
police, who immediately gave the alarm, and if men had
been at hand at the time, there would have been little diffi-
culty in extinguishing the flames. The engines, however, al-
though speedily on the spot, after the first intimation, did not
arrive before the devastating element had gained so power-
ful an ascendancy from the ignition of large quantities of
chips, boards, and dry timber that surrounded the stove,
as to extend itself to an extensive workshop at the ex-
tremity of the yard, the upper part of which was filled with
pitch, tar, cordage, and other inflammable materials, and in
less than ten minutes afterwards the whole premises were
enveloped in blaze, and the fire having communicated to
the piles of timber heaped in the yard, a large proportion
took fire, presenting the appearance of an immense bonfire,
and emitting such a powerful body of flame and heat as to
render a passage to the building extremely dangerous.
Whilst thus burning (11 o'clock) the first. engine, the Nor-
wich Union, arrived on the spot, immediately followed by
one of the new Liverpool fire-police engines, accompanied
by the active superintendent, Mr. Gallimore. The men of
the fire-police in a few minutes got into play, by means of
water supplied by the tanks in the yard ; but the supply
was so exceedingly scanty and non-effective, that the Sun
and Royal Exchange engines were dispatched to the Salt-
house-dock, when a communicating link of hose was placed
between the docks and the yard, and the water pumped
from those engines into that of the fire-police. The fore-
men and men belonging to these engines exerted themselves
very creditably.
During this time the fire was raging with unabated fury
in the building, and amongst the timber in the yard, and in
consequence of the smallness of the pumping engines, com-
pared with the fire-police engine which received the water,
there was great difficulty in obtaining a sufficient quantity
for the fire-police engine effectively to play with. Within
a yard of the building, which was now entirely gutted, a
very fine vessel of 600 tons burden, in an unfinished state,
was upon the stocks. As it stood its estimated value was
.5,0001., that sum having been expended upon it. The
flames had already reached the sides of the ship, and the
fears entertained were that it must eventually fall a prey to
them. Numbers of persons got on board the vessel, and
poured buckets of water down its sides, which, however,
had not the effect of extinguishing the flames ; and Mr.
Gallimore seeing this, extended his hose, and having passed
two intermediate fires, continued to play upon the burning
embers of the sides, and about two o'clock, although badly
supplied with water, he succeeded in ensuring her safety.
At one time she was much endangered by a party of officious
fellows removing the scaffolding at the sides, which was very
advantageous for the firemen to climb up on, in order to.
approach that portion of the vessel which was on fire. The
superintendent desired them to desist -from their work of
destruction ; but they refused, and it was only when one of
them was given into custody thatl/4 the rest were prevailed
upon. Had they been suffered to proceed, the supporters
of the vessel in its upright position would have been re-
moved, and consequently it must have fallen into the burn-
ing ruins in the building. The superintendents were also
much annoyed by the many busy persons present crying out
that the vessel was on fire in the interior, thereby attracting
their attention from saving the vessel by extinguishing the
flames at the sides. Such was not the case at any period.
A set of ruffianly vagabonds, in the dress of mechanics,
were also present, who refused to lend the least assistance,
and endeavoured to dissuade others from doing so, stating
they were sure not to get paid for their services. The
Norwich engine, under the direction of Mr. Anderson,
zealously co-operated with the fire police in endeavouring
to save the vessel, and amongst others who usefully exerted
themselves were Lieutenant Lowe, the Government emi-
gration agent, and Lieutenant Hay, of the ship Crescent.
Afss;• the fire had become partially subdued, the timber at
the river end of the shed ctzug:ht fire, and again endan-
gered the veZsel, and his worsti.'y the Mayor, who was
promptly on tke spot, and who remained until four
o'clock in the morning, seeing that if the fire there
got any head it might communicate to the other ship-
wrights' yards, and the damage become intolculable, took
effective Measures to have it immediately pi,:t out, and
succeeded in his exertions. Mr. Wlutty, of the nightly
watch, and Mr. Dowling, of the dock police, with aseir re-
spective forces, were in attendance, and maintained excel-
liss order. Although the fire occurred between the docks
and the r:rer, there was a lamentable want of water. 1..1us
to the absence of the turiieocks, for en'onls
sent, and he was so drunk he did not
was owing, firs:,
know,
oifyhtterme wasthe P
plugs were ; and, secondly, to the ineffi-
ciency of some of the fire-engines. They were unable to
supply the new fire-police engine from the docks, and at
first hesitated, until ordered by the Mayor. No one who
witnessed the fire can doubt the necessity for, and the utili-
ty of, a fire-police. Though with but one engine, and with-
out any perfect arrangement, Mr. Gall;more effected the
-Cetv of the vessel, and thereby prevented the fire from
3.... -
extenul''g to the adjoining yards. This is. the first occa-
sion on si,llLll the*new fire-police of the toms has been en-
gaged at a fire, and and under the disadvantages ,of not haying
the establishment ei;lllPlete, we should think that the in-
habitants, generally, will be disposed to give them credit
for their effectiveness. The fire was not got under control
until 5 o'clock on Sunday morning. The parties were in-
suredh in.the Plicenix-offic, but not,
.we understism.l,ltor_t_
oe
full amount of their loss, which is estimated at 2,00h0i. rh
engines left at 7 o'clock, but in consequence
continuing. to burn, and wear a threatening as
turned at 3 o'clock, and played upon thornruins
there'st of the
afternoon. °f
at they re-

The SUPPOSED MURDER near BRUNSWICK-

SQUARE.

A very considerable sensation has been produced in the
vicinities of Brunswick-square and Burton-crescent, in con-
sequence of the supposed murder of a man named John
Mills, aged about 60, lately carrying on the business of a
butcher, at Brighton.
Information of the suspicious circumstance was forwarded
to Mr. Stirling, the Coroner, and yesterday afternoon an
inquest was held at the Elephant and Castle, Pancras-road,
before a respectable Jury, on the body of the unfortunate
man, when the following evidence was adduced :
Robert Duke, an officer of Hatton-garden Police-office,
deposed that on Saturday 'morning last he went to the
house of a man named Henry Hill, No. 10, Hadlow-street,
Burton-crescent, against whom he had a warrant for assault-
ing his (Hill's) wife. Witness was informed by the wife
that her husband was not at home, but that he was gone
to No. 23, Lancaster-street, in. the neighbourhood, whore
he (Duke) would be sure to find him. Witness accordingly
went there, and found the door open ; he went in, but did
not see or hear any one. On going into the front parlour
witness was shocked and astonished at discovering the de-
ceased stretched on the floor, with his throat cut from ear
to ear, and the room covered with blood. The unfortunate
man appeared to have been dead some time ; a large white-
handled table knife was lying on a chair near the deceased,
very bloody, and a butcher's steel was on the mantel-shelf.
The deceased had only his shirt and trousers on, the rest of
his clothes were hanging over the back parlour door.
There were bloody print marks of a man's naked foot
across the room where the deceased was lying, and the
door was besmeared with blood, as if clone by a person's
hand. The parlour in which the deceased was lying had no
furniture in, with the exception of a mattress. Vitness
went over the whole of the house, which was quite empty.
By the CORONER—I am of opinion the deceased com-
mitted the act himself, and afterwards walked about tho
room, which accounted for the printmarks of the bloody
feet and the door being besmeared.
The CORONER observed, that he had known instances
Where persons had cut their throats and walked about for
some time afterwards : it was the loss of blood that caused
death generally upon such occasions.
Witness examined by the Jury—l have heard that the
deceased had been quarrelling with his wife, daughter, and
son-in-law ; they are people of very bad character. When
I discovered the deceased in the situation described, I ob-
tained assistance, and returned to No. 10, Hadlow-street,
and found the man, Henry Hill, in one of the rooms, whom
I took into custody for the assault. lam positive when I
first called in the morning Hill's wife said that her husband
was out, and that I should find him in Lancaster-street. I
have since heard that he never left Hadlow-street ; the
deceased's daughter, Mrs., Hill, informed me, that her father
bad called early that morning, and requested her to get him
some meat for breakfast, saying that he was going out for a
short time and would return soon ; but she did not see him
again. The daughter admitted to me since that she de-
ceived me in saying that her husband, was out, and bad
gone to Lancaster-street. I heard in the neighbourhood
that the deceased was in the habit of being ill used by his
wife, daughter, and son-in-law. The deceased had formerly
attempted self-destruction by banging himself, occasioned
by a reverse in his circumstances.
Mrs. Elizabeth Labour, of No. 10, Hadlow-street, de-
posed that she knew the deceased. His daughter and son-
in-law lodged in her house. The deceased had his goods
seized for rent some time back, since which his wife had
lived in her house ; but the deceased lived in the empty
house, to keep possession. She saw the deceased for the
last time alive on Friday evening, between seven and eight
o'clock. He then appeared very unhappy and low spirited.
He told witness that he had been robbed by his daughter,
and was treated like a dog by the whole of them ; at the
same time observing, that he had once attempted to de-
stroy himself, but that the next time he would -do it
effectually. On going away the deceased said, " Good bye,
Mrs. Labour; I shall never see you again ; I am goin., to
cut my throat." 'Witness did not place any credit in what
he said, and tried to rally his spirits. The deceased lived
on bad terms with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law. On
the Friday previous witness saw the daughter empty her
father's pockets while he was in a state of stupor.
By the Jury—l did not see the man Hill leave the house
on Saturday morning, nor the deceased come there. I keep
a shop, and there is a private door to the house. There is a
young woman named Ellen Bolton living with Hill and his
wife. She is a loose character. lam a married woman. I
did not know the character of my lodgers, or else I should
not have taken them into my house. Hill is a carpenter by
trade. I never saw him strike or threaten the deceased,.but
they have quarrelled often.
Sarah Hill, a very forbidding-looking young woman, de-
posed that the deceased was her father. She saw him alive
on Friday evening last, at which time there was no quar-
relling. Very early on Saturday morning the deceased
came to her bedside whilst she was in bed, and requested
her to get him some breakfast. She cannot say whether it
was real, or whether she was in a dream, but her eyes were
open. Her father went away, and said he would return
again in half an hour, but he did not ; the deceased had
been very unhappy in his mind for some time past, on ae-
count of his goods having been seized, and his circumstances
being so bad. _ _ _

By the Coroner.—l cannot say whether my father did
come to me on Saturday morning or no. I was quite sober,
but it might have been the force of imagination or a dream.
My father was not illtreated by any one of us.
Mrs. Labour stated that no one opened the door for the
deceased that morning, and she was of opinion that the un-
fortunate old man did not come, but that he committed the
act on the Friday evening, after leaving her, and threaten-
ing to destroy himself.
Other witnesses were examined, who were merely corro-
borative of the above ; after which the jury expressed them-
selves satisfied, and returned a verdict " That the deceased
cut his throat, being at the time in a state of temporary
mental derangement."

A dreadful circumstance occurred at Teignmouth
last week, which has caused great excitement in that town. It
appears that a young woman, the daughter of a small trades-
man there, was delivered of an illegitimate child, which she
was afterwards discovered to have destroyed. The horrors of
the circumstance are increased by the father of the child being
said to be the girl's own father ! An inquest has been held on
the body of the child, which returned a verdict of wilful mur-
der against the mother ; but she has not been removed to the
county gaol, being yet in too delicate a state.—Devon Ad-
vertiser.

FORCE OF IMAGINATION.—A few years ago a
celebrated physician, author of an excellent work on the force
of imagination, being desirous to add experimental to his
theoretical knowledge, made application to the Minister of
Justice to be allowed an opportunity of proving what he as-
serted by an experiment on a criminal condemned to death.
The minister complied with his request, and delivered over to
him an assassin, a man who had been born of distinguished
parents. The physician told him that several persons who had
taken an interest in his family had obtained leave of the mini-
ster that he should suffer death in some other way than on the
scaffold, to avoid the disgrace of a public execution ; and that
the easiest death he could die would be by blood-letting. The
criminal agreed to the proposal, and counted himself happy in
beim-, freed from the painful exhibition which he would other-
wise have been made of, and rejoiced at being thus enabled to
spare the feelings of his friends and family. At the time ap-
pointed the physician repeired to the prison, and the patient
having been extended on a table, his eyes bound, and every
thing being ready, he was slightly pricked near the principal
veins of th legs and arms with the point of a pen. At the
four corners of the table were four little fountains, filled with
water, from which issued small streams, falling into basins
placed there to receive them. The patient, thinking that it
was his blood that trickled into the basins, became weaker and
weaker by degrees, and the remarks of the medical men in
attendance in reference to the quality and appearance of the
blood (made with that intention) increased the delusion, and
he spoke more and more faintly, until his voice was at length
scarcely audible. The profound silence which reigned in the
apartment, and the constant dropping of the fountain, had so
extraordinary an effect on the brain of the poor patient, that all
his vital energies were soon gone, although before a very
strong man, and he died without having lost a single drop of
blood.—Le Camaion.

-----
COQUETTING EXTRAORDINARY.—Some time
ago a pair of turtles, seemingly anxious to become united in
the silken bands of wedlock, made their appearance before one
of the city clergymen in Glasgow, who, finding the requisite
certificates all right, proceeded with the ceremony till he came
to that part of it where the question is put to the bridegroom
if he "is willing to take this woman to be his wife ?" To this
necessary query, the man, after considerable hesitation, an.
swered " No." "No !" said the Minister, with a look of sur-
prise, " for what reason?" " Just," said the poor embarrassed
simpleton, looking round for the door, because I've taken a
'stunner' (disgust) at her." On this, the ceremony, to thi,
and proceeded
eyident mortification of the fair one, was broken off, and the
parties retired. A few days after, however, they again pre.
senteo themselves before his reverence ; and the fastidi.ous
commenced, and
the. above was
bridegrcom, having declared that he had got over his objet.
twioitnh,outtheinte.ce,Truemptoionny
twilals
aagguaeinstioenonsi
put to the brie:', when she, in her turn, reed. in the nega.
their lonely pillows,
.only I've just
tire. " What is the meaning of all this?". said the clergy.
man, evidently displeased at the
hfoolish_ trifling of. the parties.
had. found them, for the reverend
" 0 naething ava," said the,,blu blushing damsel, tossing her head
resentment,eretired to ta'en a stunner at
oahut of his house the following morning,
and
foolish' couple once more on their way to solicit hie
hNll'iinnitiellty,a,nr
n it
aaT wouldni reo ofn
t comingvv .soe
again
aga
~.It's a' made up noo," said the smiling fair one.
said her intended, "it's a' settled noo, and we want
smgeeenont,tilyeteech:e: , ,
' you to marry us as soon as possible." " I will do no such
thing," was the grave and startling reply to the impatient re-
quest. " What for?" cried the fickle pair, speaking together
in
.a. tone of mingled. surprise and disapuointrnent, " 0 use.
thing ava," said .his reverence, passing on his war, f‘ butjust
I've ta'en a stunner at ye baitii."—Kihnersonk JCiavtal.