The Sun.
London, England, 1869-01-06 00:00:00

TE111?IFIC EXPLOSIONS OF GAS.

Only four fires, including a fa'se alarm, occurred
in London from six o'clock a.m. yesterday, until
six a.ni this (Wednesday) morning, but two were
of a serious character, an 1 one, it is feared, will be
attended with fatal consequences to a highly-
respected gentleman, the owner of house property
iu Brixton, and other parts of Surrey. It appears
that last night a strong smell of gas was
experienced in the private residence of Mr.
W. Taylor, situate No. 3, Valentia-road, Brixton.
The circumstance having been communicated to
the proprietor of the building he incautiously took
a lighted candle to seek for the leekage in the fittings.
Unfortunately, the moment he entered one of the
rooms with a light in his hand a terrible explosion
took place, with a noise resembling some convulsion
of nature, blowing out at the same time the windows
both at the back and the front of the house, and de-
molishing the ceilings, as well as causing dense
clouds of dust to obscure for a few minutes
the atmosphere in that immediate locality. The
inhabitants, apprehensive that a fire had occurred,
sent off for the engines, and in a space of time al-
most incredibly brief numerous laud engines, by
Shand, Mason, and Co., attended, but the fire by
that time was extinguished. Mr. Taylor, the pro-
prietor of the establishment, was found covered
with the debris, and burned in a fearful manner by
the action of the blazing sheets of gas, which were
were too strong for any one to avoid with safety.
Medical aid was obtained, but the unfortunate
gentleman, who is sixty-four years of age, on
being found to be so seriously burned, his
removal to the hospital was recommended,
and which was accordingly done. From inquiries
made this morning there appears very little chance
of the sufferer's recovery. The building and con-
tents, which were so severely shaken, were insured.
Another explosion happened in the same way as the
above in the premises of Mr. E. Snell, No. 2, New-
terrace, Alderney-road, Mile-end Old Town, which
was attended with considerable damage, but fortu-
nately no one was injured. The sufferer in this
ease was insured in the Sun Fire Office.

WRECK OF A TYNE STEAMER.—In referenc© to
the loss of the steamer Thomas Gillespie, which was re-
ported from Gibraltar under date of December 28, a further
telegram was received in North Shields on Monday, stat-
ing that the third engineer, the cook, and a Swedish sailor
had been drowned. The cook was drowned in attempt-
ing to jump from the wreck to the lifeboat which went
to the assistance of the crew. The Thomas Gillespie was
wrecked, 17 miles south of Cape Spartel, on the 22d ult.
ATTEMPTED MURDER.—An extraordinary attempt
at murder is reported from Kilmarnock. On New-year's-
day a man named James Drummond bought half a pound
of gunpowder. He went home, told his wife he would
give her three minutes in which to prepare for death, and
at the expiration of that time he threw the gunpowder
into the fire. The consequent explosion threw Mrs. Drum-
mond to the other side of the room, and severely burnt
her. The man escaped with only a slight scorching. The
neighbours, hearing the explosion, camp in and rendered
assistance to Mrs. Drummond, who is now recovering.
Her husband is in custody.—Scotsman.
THE THAMES EMBANKMENT.—the planting of
trees on the Thames Embankment (north), as recom-
mended some few weeks since at a meeting of the Metro-
politan Board of Works, has been commenced, nearly 50
trees being now in the ground. The trees are placed at
intervals of about 20 feet from each other, and already
nearly half the line of ground between Westminster-
bridge and Hungerford is ornamented. The three new
piers now in course of construction on the river—at Hun-
gerford and Waterloo-bridges and the Temple—are fast
approaching completion, and it is anticipated will all be
opened in the course of a short time.
It is reported that Whelan will have a now trial,
with venue changed to Toronto.

The Springfield Republican says that James Fisk,
son., father of the Erie manipulator, formerly worked in a
factory at South Adams, and commenced his business
career by peddling calico remnants from the North Adams
print works.
_ _

DUNVILLE and Co., Belfast, are the largest
holders of Whisky in the world. Their Old Irish Whisky is re
commended by the medical profession in preference to French
Brandy. Supplied in casks and cases for home use or exports
tion. Quotations on application to Messrs. Dunville and Co.
Belfast; or. 4, Beautcortrbuildiags, Strancl,_,L9adva Wic-111d
itritiementl