The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-30 00:00:00

TRAVELLING UN THE PRAIRIES.

There is more variety in a journey across the central
and yet unpeopled land of America, than one would be
dicposed to expect, Even on the prairie there is an
occasional change of scene—green slopes and belts of
timber here and there cross the path, the wood marking
the windings of a praris stream; now a green doll in-
vites them to a noon-day rest, the whimpling rivulet
which runs near it supplying a store of wholesome
water—or, a lofty ridge, flanked by a deep ravine; some-
times a la)1d bluff, capped with timber, comes into eight,
and from its crest, if you can surmount it, you may see
the far-spread prairie, Stretching away in graceful un-
dulations as far as the eye can reach. Then there is the
fresh brumes that is almost always blowing across the
prairie, the beautiful modulations of the changing clouds
—the storm that can be seen from its beginning to its
end—the curious looming of objects between earth and
sky, taxing the ingenuity ev, ry moment to rectify,
There is the anxiety for the night's quarters, the sere-
intde of wolves, howling round the camp, ready to
carry off the beasts' harness in their voracious assaults,
and on which the night-guard has to keep a strict look-
out. This species of danger gives a zest to the interest
of a prairie journey; and by day there is an occasional
deer-bunt, i❑ which the riflemen distinguish themselves
by their skill in tracking and shooting the game,—all
this gives an interest and variety to the prairie journey,
white the first fluth of adventure is still strong on the
travellers across the plains.—Eliza Cook's Journal.

NUMEROUS FIRES AND PROBABLE

LOSS OF LIFE.

Late on Saturday night the inhabitants of Watling-
street, City, were greatly alarmed in consequence of the
sudden outbreak of a fire in the extensive premises oc-
cupied conjointly by Messrs Strachan, and the anti-
corrosion paint manufacturers, and Messrs. Boatwright
and Brown, sealing wax manufacturers, situate at 54, in
the before-mentioned thoroughfare, and within a few
feet of the parish church. The flames originated from
the spontaneous ignition of a cask of lamp black, which
set fire to a number of vessels filled with turpentine and
varnishes. Owing to the combustible nature of the stock
in trade, the flames spread rouud the store with amazing
fierceness, so that at one time the church opposite and
every house near appeared doomed to destruction; mes-
sengers were therefore dispatched in sundry directions
to call the engines. Several engines of the Brigade,
parish, and West of England Company quickly attended,
and plenty of water being procured, the flames were
prevented from reaching the wax stores of Messrs. Boat-
wright and Brown, but they were not extinguished until
the side stores on the first floor were very seriously
burned, and much of the contents consumed. It could
not be ascertained whether the firm was insured or not.
, While the engines were engaged at the above fire, in-
In'citaation was received that another had occurred in the
antb,eurhood of the City-road. The Whitecross-street
England'Z'
men found &La,
vale reside
r.
York-street. Fc,,,,11r•
• of the buildllitte-lY
square brigade, together with the West of
proceeded to the spot, when the fire-
t,tit.e outbreak had taken place in the pri-
J.tiCe,teo, No. 9, Mason's-place,
Whichthe
ewnams
mc
eo
nn
cfiende.d t o that
portion
that the a;67dugre-sr-oaalde•
St, to, their stations
callfianreoltehefeonrrea ttthe newdfiaer
die Inrfereconemillot:Lub:rk Saviour's-
swiour,.
station,The
attracted
rues had originated
iiwhenitl
l 0 iptrwe•masisaessccorftal‘itcre.i
J.
Herrin
ca,ttentioneourt. It
_, No. 6, Duke's-court,
a narrow alley running
atop pueirter
premises
rtehme t6tehse
inthmtehse.y pliyreacevietl
toting
'flvelopc d
bnyetudboteirrsiehsa
odftl,l4eiii_r
,ip,:,
and
upon
en.
was '"bdued,
Mrs.
desperate I (I. 'fferorritngthceornfiprieeteiy ,
but not until the unfortunate woman was frightfuny
burnt, so much so that she was removed to the hu.pitel,
where she remains in a very precarious state. The dis-
aster is supposed to have been caused from a spark fly-
ing out of the grate, end coming in contact with some
wearing apparel.
About an hour later the firemen were called to attend
a fire at 32, Clifton-street, Finsbury, in the premises
of Mr. Wagstaff, flock, list, and rug-merchant. Fertile
tenately it %l as extinguished before much damage was
done.

As the firemen were leaving this fire, they were sent
for to another, which had occurred in the lamp-black
manufactory of Mr. J. Huggins, in Queen-street, Mile-
cud New Town. Owiug to the activity of the strata-

gers, this fire was extinguishet I before the engines had
time to arrive.

Between four and five A.M. the same day a fire hap-
pened in the premises of Mr. C. Hawkins, British wine
manufacturer, No. 2, Beth; 3rd-street, Somers Town,
which was caused from a defect in an adjoining flue.
The engines were quickly on the spot, but the fire was
not extinguished until much damage was done to the
premises.
A few hours previous to, the above outbreak another
fire, and attended with a considerable loss of property,
broke out in the wadding rria.nufactery of Mr. J. Davies,
No. 5, John-street, Cart sin-road, Shoreditch. The
flames originated in the crerding-rooms, and at one time
threatened destruction to the whole factory. The en-
gines of the brigade, parish, and West of England
promptly attended, but in spite of an abundant supply
of water, and the most active working of the engines, the
firemen were unable to get the flames extinguished, until
a serious amount of propert:v was destroyed, which is
thus returned by Mr. Superintendent Braidwood:—
" The carding-rooms i❑ Mr. Davies's factory burned
out, the contents destroyed, and roofs off. The engine-
house and store-rooms adjoining damaged by fire and
water. The premises snit their contents were unin-
sured. No. 63, Charlotte-street, Mr. J. T. Parlour.
li,7,6ns?d victuaer, and prc.prietor of the Brieklaysrs'
Arms. Roofs of back prerc ises and skittleground da-
maged by breakage. Insured in the Royal Exchange
Fire-office."