The Sun.
London, England, 1833-01-18 00:00:00

THE CONFLAGRATION IN LIVERPOOL,

(Further particulars from the Liverpool Courier of Wednesday

night.)

The cotton saved from the warehouses, as it was thrown into
the street, was piled up by other hands, till it formed a heap
reaching to half the height of the houses in Lancelot's-hey. A
number of spectators took possession of the eminence thus
formed, from which they could obtain a better view of what
was going on. One of the bales happened to fall less firmly
than the rest—it remained for a moment upon the balance, and
while the crowd of spectators were intent upon the scene be.
fore them, it suddenly rolled over, and mowed them down like
skittles. An ill-tirned burst of laughter was all the untoward
circumstance produced, though, by those who could have fore.
seen the sad disaster which was to befall the same vicinity, it
might have been taken as a significant prelude to the approach-
ing misfortune. The rapidity with which the fire continued
Its ravages was almost incredible. It was like an instantaneous
blaze, a conflagration without any beginning, so swift and
sudden were its effects. Scarcely was the attention directed to
the partial emission of the flames in a fresh spot, before the
floors and beams gave way, and the roofs came tumbling
in, and the unbroken universal blaze stretched up to
Heaven, in the pride of its absolute possession.

It is conjectured, from the nature of a partsof the flames,
that one of the warehouses must have contained spirits.
Between two and three o'clock the conflagration may be said
to have been at its height. The reflection of the fire overspread
the whole town with artificial day, scarce less light than that of
the sun. The atmosphere was illuminated from one end to the
other, and the heavens presented one canopy of fire, waving
with the motion of the aurora borealis. In the remotest part of
the town it is said there was sufficient light to read the smallest
print in apartments looking in an opposite direction, and the
clocks of all the churches were as visible as at noon.

,
By our private letter we learn that the total amount of pro-
perty insured amounts to 150,0001., and fully to that amount,
not insured, is destroyed by the fire.

The property destroyed during the recent dreadful fire at
Liverpool is now (Wednesday) estimated at a quarter of a milk
lion. The insurance on it does not exceed 140,0001.

Great activity prevails at this moment in the
different Government offices in preparing the estimates for
1834, which Ministers are anxious should be laid before
the Chamber in March. It is said that, assured upon the
chances of war, the Government is desirous of setting the
example of disarmament, and that it is in contemplation
to effect in the army a reduction of 100,000 infantry,
and 26,000 cavalry. The war estimate., far 1834, will
be established upon the basis of this reduction.— Gal.lifes:
The Peers of Scotland have thrown out every
Ministerial Candidate, thus affording a fresh proof of the
irreconcilable hostility of the Tories to good government.
From this specimen, the Whigs may see that they can only
plaice firm reliance on the good and upright part of the
nation. So long as they show that they have the public
good only in view, they may set all Tory combinations at
defiance. All we dread is lest Ministers, in order to
conciliate the Tories, should do something to endanger their
popularity. The Tries would be the first to avail them-
selves of their loss of popularity to give the coup de grace.
Let them beware of splitting on the rock of endeavouring
to conciliate inveterate enemies who are so, because inve-
terate enemies of the people.
Through Holland we have received intelli-
gence of a recent date from Frankfort and other parts o'
Germany. 'I he Chambers of the Grand Duchy of Hesse
re-assembled on the 7th instant. It may he recollected,
from the accounts we have given of their proceedings, that
the address of the Second Chamber in reply to the GRAND
DUKE'S speech contained some observations which gave
occasion to strong expressions of dissatisfaction on the part
of his Royal Highness. The Deputies passed a resolution
vindicating their address, and then adjourned for the holy-
days. On the 7th a message was delivered from the Go-
vernment on the subject of the memorable decree passed
by the German Diet on the 28th of June. In this com-
munication the GRAND Duxx stated that he had per-
ceived with great surprise the nature of the propositions
made in the Chamber on the proceedings of the Diet; that
the Decree was perfectly legal ; that it in no way violated
the constitution of Hesse Darmstadt; and that the matte,
in question was not within the competency of the Chem-
her. In conclusion, the GRAND DUKE declared that he
never would permit the Chambers to step beyond the
circle prescribed for them by the constitution. This
message, which seems well calculated to provoke a con-
flict between the Executive of the Grand Duchy and
the assembly which represents the people, is said
to have excited an extraordinary sensation. Vio-
lent expressions of indignation were with difficulty re-
pressed in the galleries, and the feelings of the Deputies
were also very distinctly marked. We have no account
of any debate which may have followed, but it is stater;
that the message was referred to the Committee already
ap pointed to take into consideration the decree of the
Diet, and the propositions made to the Chamber respect-
ing it. The report of this Comnaitte-, which is expected
soon to be made, is nein, al'y looked forward to with much
anxiety,
•