The Sun.
London, England, 1834-10-17 00:00:00

FURTHER PARTICULARS.-(THIS DAY.)

From a very early hour the neighbourhood of the con
flagration was very densely crowded with persons, anxious
to know really how matters stood—for in every quarter "-Of
the town there were various reports of the damage that had
been done. In some places we heard that the whole of the
buildings in any way connected with the Houses of Parlia-
ment were totally consumed, while, in others, the affair was
represented as merely trifling. On our arrival we found the
passes leading to the scene of devastation strongly guarded
by parties of police and of the Foot Guards, in order
to keep off the crowds, so that the firemen might not be
obstructed in their arduous and dangerous duty, and also to
protect the property which was lying about.
We found the engines all round the buildings, and ready,
at a moment's notice, to play upon any part that required
it. The ruins were still smouldering in many places, and
frequently broke out into a flame at that part immediately
above the Peers' entrance, but was as instantly put out. It
was, however, only effected by breaking up the roof, and
pouring in agreat quantity of water, otherwise the Parliament
offices, the Lords library, and other places still unhurt would
have again been placed in imminent danger. The Com-
mittee-rooms at the corner, where the Members' entrance
is situated, also required the constant attention of the fire-
men—it was there that the greatest body of fire seemed to
be in existence ; but it also had been pretty well got under
by the constant pouring in of water. Of the House of
Commons nothing remains but the walls ; all else is gone ;
so are all the rooms and offices between that and the
House of Lords ; but in that the fire seems to have had
the greatest scope. Nothing at all of it is left saving the
back wall. The walls in front of Old Palace-yard have all
tumbled down, and the place presents all the appearance of
a complete ruin. Westminster Hall, we are most happy
to say, has escaped without damage ; so also have the
Courts of Law. The Judges' desks, &c. had been removed
and stowed away in St. Margaret's Church ; but by twelve
o'clock so safe were the buildings considered, that every

thing was again taken back to its old position. The
Speaker's house has not suffered much from the fire ; some
of the rooms are partially burned ; but great destruction has

taken place by the removal of the furniture, and breakage
of the plated glass in the windows. The furniture was
all placed in the garden ; so also were the books which
formed his splendid library. We are glad to say that all
are saved, and were being taken into rooms in the house,
which were untouched, when the Speaker (who had been
sent for express to Brighton), arrived about 12 o'clock.
He seemed glad that the matter was no worse. It is con-
solatory to know that all the valuable books belonging to
both Houses have suffered no more damage than that aris-
ing from their hasty removal. We could not learn any
thing certain about the spot where the flames first were
observed ; from all we could learn, it was near the south
end of Howard's Coffeehouse. We learned, from good
authority, that a half bundle of matches was found in the
Speaker's garden half burned, which were shown to Lords
Hill and Adolphus Fitzclarence, who happened to be present.
Sir J. C. Hobhouse arrived upon the spot about 11 o'clock,

and was very busy up till after 2, giving directions to work-
men who were taking down those parts of the walls which
were in a dangerous state. Many of the Members of the
Lower House were present to look at the ruins of their place
of meeting. At this hour (2 o'clock) the people are housing
their furniture, &c., and all seems to be going on well ; the
engines are still playing, in order if possible to quench the
smouldering remains of the ceilings, which still occasionally
fall with a heavy crash, and greatly endanger the lives of
the workmen. We learn that the only accidents up to
this time are two broken legs, one a fireman, and another
a soldier.

THREE O'CLOCK

The ruins present nearly the same appearance as be-
fore. Portions of them still continue to fall at inter-
vals, but no further accidents have taken place. The
only private person who has lost anything by the fire

that we have heard of, is Mr. Ley, the Commons libra-
rian, who was insured for 600/. His insurance money be-
came due on the 29th, but a few days before that he went
out of town, leaving orders that the money should be paid.
The person entrusted neglected it, and so Mr. Ley suffers
all the loss himself. The only further accounts we have
been able to learn of the origin of the fire, is that it has by
some of the experienced firemen been attributed to the soot
accumulating in the new flues with which the house has
been furnished, and that it had by some means caught fire.
On the other hand, some attribute it to the burning
of the old tallies, which were being burnt upon the
abolition of the old Exchequer. The old House
however, is untouched. It should be stated that such has
been going on for some days.

ADDITIONAL LATEST PARTICULARS.
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
.. _ _

The ruins of the Senate-House present a strikingly aw-
ful appearance this morning, and the heaps of furniture
piled up in the open space opposite St. Margaret's Church,
coupled with the armed soldiers parading up and down,
and the smouldering remains of the noble edifices, excite
interesting but painful feelings in the breast of a spectator.
At about five o'clock this morning the military and police
were relieved, and will doubtless for some days yet continue
on duty to protect the valuable documents, &c. Some of
the fire engines continued to play on the smouldering embers
at twelve o'clock this day, at which time smoke was still to
be seen issuing from the gable-wall of the Hall. That
building however was considered in perfect safety. The
private libraries belonging to the Speaker are entirely
destroyed ; and to what extent the devouring element has
damaged many of the Parliamentary papers has not yet
been discovered.
The prevalent rumour this morning was that it was the
wilful act of one of the workmen employed on the intended
new library. The affair will be promptly and strictly inves-
tigated by Lord Melbourne and other of his Majesty's
Ministers. Persons continue to pour in from all quarters
of the metropolis, to behold the devastation which the fire
has made, and the intense interest appears to heighten
hourly rather than abate. Several captures of the swell
mob were made, who are more than usually active this
morning. The licensed victuallers in the neighbourhood
are reaping a rich harvest.
The following is an authentic account of the
ACCIDENTS, AND NARROW ESCAPE OF THE