The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-03 00:00:00

EXPLOSION OF FIREWORKS.

Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, at a few minutes
before three o'clock, the inhabitants of Northampton-
square, Clerkenwell, were thrown into a state of the
greatest excitement, in consequence of a fearful ex-
plosion, by which three persons were so seriously in-
jured as to be obliged to be conveyed to the hospital,
and which occurred on the premises belonging to Mr.
F. Bull, a grocer and oilman, carrying on business at
No. 7, Lower Smith-street. From inquiries made on
the spot, our reporter was informed that Mr. Bull was
in the habit of preparing a quantity of fireworks for
the sth of November, principally for the amusement
of his immediate friends. Yesterday he procured the
aid of two men, named respectively Phillips and
Prickett, who had been engaged for some time filling
cases for squibs, catherine-wheels, serpents, &c.Mr. Bull, who had been superintending the manu-
facture of the various pyrotechnics, was standing at
the side of the other
i men, when some one proposed
that a squib which had just been refilled with com-
position, should be ignited for the purpose of trying
the effect of the charge. This WNS accordingly
done, but almost immediately after doing so
the sparks came in contact with a tub of
gunpowder and prepared composition, when an ex.
plosion followed, which shook the houses in the im-
mediate locality to their very foundations, and at the
same time hurled every article in the various premises
contiguous to the ground, and prostrated Mr. Bull
and his two assistants. They were immediately en-
circled with flame, and at one time their destruction
seemed inevitable. The neighbours rushed into the
building, and, with the aid of the police, succeeded
in rescuing Mr. Bull end the two other men. A
child, about two years of age, who was standing at
the side of its father, although knocked down, strange
as it may seem, escaped without the least injury.
The three men, viz., Mr. Bull, and Messrs. Phillips
and Prickett, upon being rescued from the burning
property, were found to be most terribly injured. A
medical gentleman having been sent for, he at once
recommended that the three sufferers should be re-
moved to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, which was ac-
cordingly done, and on making inquiries at that In-

stitution last evening it was ascertained that they re•
mained in a very precarious condition. Mr. Phillips
was not expected to survive the night out. The
various engines of the London Brigade and West of
England office were soon on the spot, but by the time
they arrived all danger of any further extension of
mischief was at an end. Unfortunately, Mr. Bull
was not insured.

ELEGANT AMUSEMENT OF THE
JOCKEY CLUB OF PARIS.
The long talked-of fight between Lord H.'s two
owls, Iron Beak and Young, and twelve rats, came off
at midnight on the 28th of October, in the drawing-
room of the Jockey Club.
The bets on the side of the rats, amounting to 1,2501,
were all taken by Lord H., who backed his plumed
champions.
The most perfect order prevailed in the drawing-
room. The place of every spectator Ras assigned to
him by the judges of the battle, whose orders were
implicitly submitted to. Lord H. had on his right
M. Mary, the poet of Marseilles, who, while the war-
like preparations were going on, improvised a dozen
strophes inspired by the singular occasion.
At about half-past eleven, Victor Couturier intro-
duced the rats. The large cage in which they were
contained was placed upon a table in the middle of
the room, in order that the inmates, who had fasted
for 24 hours, might be publicly fed The dish chosen to
sustain their strength and animate their ardour was a
pasty of Perigord truffl-s, prepared by that worthy
successor of Vatel, the head cook of the club. In
three minutes these delicacies were disposed of, with
an evident relish and appreciation which could hardly
have been predicated of rats. Lord H. then ordered
his falconer to bring in the owls.
Iron Beak and Young were born in Scotland, upon
an estate of his Lordship's, where for two years they
inhabited an old tower, in which they were one day
surprised and captured by William Perkes, the fal-
coner. They are owls of the largest kind. They
are each two feet high; their eyes of a ghastly trans-
parency; their plumage a mixture of various shades
of grey; their talons remarkable for their form,
strength, and flexibility. As the clock struck twelve
the signal for the combat was given. Victor Couturier
let loose the twelve rats. They had previously occu-
pied each a separate compartment in the cage, and
finding themselves on the floor of the drawing-room,
while the digestion of the truffles was going on, were
about to fall foul, ofstsaeirother, when William Perkes
turned the two owls into the arena. At this moment
a religious silence prevailed among the spectators.
Nothing was heard but the piercing cries of the rats
and the gnashing of the beaks of the owls.
Iron Beak opened the war by flying at Robert
Macaire, alias the Greek, and seizing trim by the
haunches pounded him as completely as a boa con-
strictor would do a calf that he was about to swallow.
Young at the same time as effectually -disposed of the
unlucky Coquard, alias the Bock keeper. Prince
Petulant alias Claamouski, Rodilard alias the Vaga-
bond, and Briequet alias Cut-Knuckles, fell -.lto-
gether upon Young and flung on to his claws. Young
caused Rodilard and Brisquet successively to bite the
dust; but Prince Petulant obstinately renewed his
attacks upon Young's posteriors, and broke his thigh
in two places. By this time Iron Beak had slain
Voltaire alias The Enemy of Obscurity, the brave
Ratapoil alias The Vexer, and Darkness alias The
Pancake-eater. But he had sustained the injury of a
broken claw. The chances were now nearly equal.
The two owls were seriously wounded, but five rats
only, more or less injured, survived. The interest of
the battle witli at this moment at its height, Poulastrol
alias the Wigmaker, who bad hitherto coa eyed in a
corner as if ashamed of himself, suddenly rushed
upon Young, threw him upon his side, and literally
eat out his eyes. The owl uttered a horrible scream, but
in his dying struggles tore open the bowels of Pou-
lastrol with his beak, and the two enemies expired
side by side at the same moment. Iron Beak was now
singly opposed to Tourlouron alias the Brushmaker,
the Marquis alias Hide-your-Love, the Parisian alias
the Chaffer, and Prince Petulant. The latter, who
had eaten more truffles than any other rat, was furious
beyond measure. He clung to the sound leg of Iron
Beak, and continued to gnaw it, while the owl killed
all the remaining rats. Of all the gallant combatants,
Iron Beak, the owl, and Prince Petulant, the rat, alone
survived, both mortally wounded, disabled, but still
flashing sparks of fury at each other from their eyes.
The judges at this stage declared the battle a drawn
one tor the present, but decided that the stakes are to
be handed to the owner of the combatant that shall
live the longest. Upon this announcement, Victor
Couturier carried off Prince Petulant to be doctored
and nursed. William Perkes, the falconer, took care
of Iron Beak, and the backers on either side are now
awaiting with anxiety the result of the skill of the
respective medical attendants of the mutilated heroes

THE CO UN TI
LIVERPOOL, Nov. I.—No
s. d , e. d

Wheat, per 701 b :
English, white .. 5 8 to 5 Inl

Y MARKETS.

change worth quoting to-day.

- .
Do. red .. 5 2 5 6
Irish, best red •. 4 8— 5 2
Do, lower quality 4 6 5 0
Mani, red and wh. 4 10 5 3
Dantsic, high mixed 5 10 6 2

Do., mixed .• .. 5 6 5 9'
Rostock, &c.. .. 5 6 5 9
Hambargh and
Lower Baltic .. 4 10 5 3
American & I white 5 6 5 8
Canadian, tred 5 0— 5 4

Antwerp&LOuvain 5 6 5 8

d.
a.
Do.Meal,perl96lb lb 0 to 16 0
Barley, English, pr
imperial quarter 26 0— 28 0
Irish, Scotch, and

French, red.. .. 5 7 5 9
Hungarian and
Mariaropoll • . 5 0 5 2
Odessa, Polish .. 4 10 5 0
Do., common .. 4 6 4 9
Egyptian • • .. 3 8 4 0
Flour, English &
Irish, per 2801 b 27 0 29 0
Do., extra tine 30 0 32 0

Blanx,per6olb.. 3 8 3 10
Foreign, grinding 3 0 3
Rye, per 601 b .. 3 6 3 9
Beans, English, pr
imperial quartr 30 0 32
Irish and Scotch,

per 4801 b.. .: 26 0— 28 0
IDutch .. 30 0 31 0

Egyptian •• .. 22 6 23 0
Peas, English,per
imperial quartr 32 0 34 0
Foreign .• .. 32 0— 33 0
Oats, per 451 b

United States, per
barrel . •

18 6-22 0

Engli;h, Scotch,
and Welsh, old 3 5 3 6
Irish, tie- 1 est
mealine .. 2 6i— 2 7
Do., feeding •• 2 2 2 4
Do., foreign .. 3 0 - 3 2
Oatmeal, English,

Canadian .. -0 19 01

ICScotch,pr-2401b 94 0 25 0
Irish, new • . .. 22 0— 23 0
Do., old . •• 26 0— 27 0

Indian corn, per
4801 b, white .. 29 0 29 6
MANCHESTER, Nov. I.—The flour trade has gradually
assumed a firmer tone during the present week, first-
rate marks of households and whites having been more
readily placed on fully previous terms, whilst for extra
superfine qualities the demand has exceeded the supply,
and higher rates have, consequently, been ob,eined ;
inferior and doubtful kinds it the same time being quite
neglected. Oatmeal has moved off steadily, without
material change in value. The imports co' oats and
oatmeal from Ireland into Liverpool and Runcorn ex-
hibit a slight increase, but of other articles they continue
extremely light, and coastwise there are no supplies
worth naming. From abroad the arrivals aro likewise
on a very limited scale. At our market this morning
wheat fully supported the currency of this day se'nnight.
As regards flour, the above observations accurately de-
scribe the operations to-day. Oats must be noted the
turn cheaper, and oatmeal 3d to 6d per load lower.
NOTTINGHAM, Nov. I.—At Newark, on Wednesday,
though no great quantity of wheat was offered, but
little business was done, owing to factors requiring some
reduction, and growers refusing to give way. In barley
there was more activity, and an advance of is per
quarter was obtained. For oats, beaus, and other grain
there was a moderate business at former rates. Wheat,
white, 39s to 40s; red, 35s to 38s; barley, malting, 25s
to 28s; grinding, 208 to 225; oats, 17s to 265; beans,
28s to 345. This report, with very little variation, in-
dicates also the state of the other local markets during
the week, including Worksop, Retford, Mansfield, Mel-
ton, and Grantham. The supply of wheat at our own
market today was less than last week, and prices were
fully supported, though a small amount of business only
was done. Barley was in short supply, and 2s per
quarter dearer. Oats and beans were very firm at the
rates of last Saturday.
READING, Nov. I.—Wheat, per qr, 3gs Od to 48s ; barley,
218 to 32s ; oats, 15s to 22s Od ; beans, 25s to 34s ; peas,
26s to 32s per qr; average price of household wheats, Os to
to Os, Poultry—Fowls, 3s Od to 3s 9d ; ducks, 4s Od to 4s 6d;
geese, 5s Od to 6s Od; turkeys, each, Os Od. Butter, is to
Is la. Eggs, 12 to 13 per Is.
DALICEITH, OCT. 30.—The relative weight per four bushe's
of the three prices of wheat were 18st 111 b, 18st 51b, and 16. t
21b. Oats, 12st 71b, Ilst 101 b, and llst 01b. Barley, 16st 31b,
15st 91b, and 14st 51b. Peas and beans, 18st I l lb, 00st Oil,
and 17st fibs.
Qrs.

Best.

Current.

Interior,

267 Wheat ... £2__ 6 0 £1 19 0 £1 8 0
h 94 Oats
1084 Barley 1 8 6 1 4 9 0 17 0
14 Peas and Beans 1 16 0 0 0 0 1 7 0
Average of wheat 38s sd.
ABIRDIEN, OCT. 31.—Grain—Oats 14s 6d to 15s Od,
401bs per bushel; foreign oats, 00s Od to 17s Od, 401bs per bushel;
barley, 00s Od to 21s Od. 521bs per bushel ; bear, Ms Od to 21s
od, 521bs per bushel; wheat 00sto 425; oatmeal, 12s 3d to 13s 4d
per boll ; flour, 29s to 30s Od per sack. Provisions—Beet,
4d to 6d per lb ; mutton, ditto, 4d to 6d; veal, ditto, 4d
to 6d ; pork, per stene, 34 Od to 3s 6cl; lamb, per Ib, 4d to 6d ;
tallow, per stone, Os (id to 3s 6d; potatoes, per peck,
4d to 6d ; rabbits, each, Od to Od; hares, each, 0,
to Os Od ; grouse, per brace, Us to Os ; butter, per lb, 9d to 10.1;
eggs, per doz, Ud to 10d ; cheese, per cwt, 18s to 23s Od ; hens
peg pair, 2s 6d to 3s Od; chickens,ditto, Is od to 2S lid; ducks, do.
2s Od to 2s 6d ; ducklings, ditto, 21 to 2s 6d; turkeys, per pair, 7,
to 8s Od; geese, ditto, 7s to 88; butter for exportation ( presen
cure), per cwt, 688 to 008; eggs. wholesale price, per dozen, tit
to 6d ; 41b loaf, cash, 5d ; credit, 6d ; pork, per stove of 141 b-.
Oa od to Os od; pork fine, small, 5s 6d to Os Od ; pork, large
3s 6d to 4s 3d; ship pork per barrel of 204 lbs, Us to Os
Meal—Oatmeal, is 3d to Is 4d; barley dust, 9d to 101 ;
peasemeal, Is 8d to Is 9d ; side, Od to 6d ; beremeal, Is 2c
to is 3d; flour, Is 7d to Is 8d; barley, per lb, lid to zd, barle,
flour, is 4d to is sd.
DUBLIN, Nov. 31.—We have no alteraiion to report
in the currencies 1 f our coin nisiket wince Tues-
6ddi
to tto,
10 18day, in any description 01 grain or Indian corn.
Lt; o
0 2itltso!
Wheat, white, 18s 00 to 22s
rowoi 8s
s
; red
bete, new 9s 6d to 10s; us
old, Os Od to Os Od; oatmeal, lOs Od to lis 00; bakery'
flour, per cwt., 12$ to 14s 01; bailey, new 108 to 14s;
Indian corn, per 4801 b, 25s to 27s 60; rapeseed, new
14s Od to 15. 00,

CORK, OCT. 31.
The trade this week prebents no new feature calling
for comment. The murket is quirt, and without any
material change in any article of produce. Souse foreign
arrivals continue to take place, but the sailings for other
ports almost keep pace with them. The receipts of
home grain are large, the supply for the week being:—
Wheat, 1,764 barrels, at 15; to 20s per barrel; barley,
3,963 barrels, at 8.3 to Us per barrel; oats, 13,851
barrels, at 7s 6tl to 9s 6cl per barrel. The value of
wheat is firmly maintained. Barley is without change,
but oats have s.dvanced 2d per barrel on the week. For
the inferior descriptions of foreign wheat the demand Is
slow, wad the gorket dull; but the metier Wadi find w