The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-29 00:00:00

THE GALE AT DERBY.

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On Monday last Derby was visited with one of
the most violent gales that has been known for
years past, and the destruction ofproperty has been
very great. The hurricane was at its height from
two until four o'clock in the afternoon. About three
o'clock the fine tower of the parish church cf St.
Alkmund's was seen to wave to and fro, and pre-
cautions were immediately taken to block up all
the streets which had a thoroughfare past the
church. About four o'clock the top of the spire,
about four yards in length, fell with a tremendous
crash, which resembled the discharge of cannon. It
penetrated the high pitched roof of the nave, and
fell into the body of the church. The damage done
is estimated at X4OO. At the same time one of the
fine pinnacles on the top of St. Marie's Roman
Catholic Church (opposite to St. Alkmund's) fell
into the yard below, but although it caught the
corner of the priest's house no serious injury was
sustained. About half-past four o'clock the
large chimney at Messr;. West's colour works,
William-street, was blown down on to the
workshops beneath, and did immense da-
mage, numbers of carboys of vitriol beinc, de-
stroyed, and causing a complete suspension of the
works. In every direction trees were torn up by
the roots, and although we have heard of many
narrow escapes by men, women, and children, still,
we are happy to say, that no lives were sacrificed.
The
gale abated about eleven o'clock on Monday
night, but yesterday (Tuesday) it came on as vio-
lent as ever.
TILE WEATHER AND TILE TELEGRAPII.—The
gale which commenced blowing on Monday, and
which still continued up to yesterday, has played
sad havoc with the various pole lines of telegraph.
Not alone in this country, but throughout the Con-
tinent, from Berlin to Paris, the lines have been
interrupted, partly by posts being blown down,
partly by trees falling on the wires, and hurling
poles and wires together upon the ground. Beyond
the interruption of communication, which will
speedily be remedied, little material injury has
been sustained, the damage being for the most part
local in its character, and easily repaired.
THE GALE ON THE RlVER.—Considerable
damage was caused on the River yesterday by the
heavy gales which prevailed. In the Lower Hope
a schooner was driven completely on shore, and off
Woolwich a large number of barges were sunk, two
of which were heavily laden with. The damage to
house property in the town of Woolwich was also
considerable.

PRICE OF GOLD.—The quotation of gold at Parir
is about I per mine d, and the short exchange on London is
25.121 per £1 sterling. On comparing these rates with the
English Mint price of £3 17s. 100. per ounce for standard
gold, it appears that gold is at about 1-10ths per cent, dearer
in Paris than in London. By advices from Hamburg the
price of gold is 422 per mark, and the short exchange oil
London is 13•33 per £1 sterling. Standard gold at the
English Mint price is therefore about 1-10th per
cent. dearer in Hamburg than in London. The course of ex-
change at New York on London for bills at 60 days' sight is
about 108 f 1 per cent., which, when compared with the Mint
proportions between the two countries, shows that the ex-
change is slightly against England • and, after making
allowance for charges of transport and difference of inte-
rest, the present rate loaves no profit on the importation
of gold from the Usited States,