The Sun.
London, England, 1856-10-25 00:00:00

THE SUN. LONDON, SATURD EVEI--( IN G, OC OBEli, 25, 1856.

worth—l was at the Surrey-hall on Sunday evening last.
The disturbance commenced about the middle of the
second prayer. I stood under the gallery immediately
apposite the mai❑ entrance. At that time a rush took
place into the lobby from the gardens, which produced
a bustle in the hall, followed immediately by screaming
in that vicinity, and a general looking round to that
spot. The word "Fire" arose more as a matter of in-
quiry than an alarm, and immediately like a stream it
flew across the hail Eke a flash. Suddenly the avenue
gates were opened, and there was a rush producing a
sound as if a fire-engine were coming. Then the panic
arose. I had not then heard the tinkling of bells, but I
did occasionally the breaking of chandeliers. A general
alarm spread through the building—all appeared to get
out of their seats and trample over cne another, from a
desire to escape. I assisted in breaking the glass in the
windows (hut not with a chair) to give additional means
of exit. If it had not been done more lives w,,uld
have been lost. When I was breaking the glass
a person came up to me and said, "Be quiet,
don't do that, but trust in God." I replied
that I quite agreed with him in that sentiment, but at
the same time I considered myself justified in what I
was doing, in giving additional facilities to escape. I
do not believe the disturbance arose from a preconcerted
measure, but from the foolery of opening the avenue
doors when the hall was full. The panic arose from an
accidental and unforeseen circumstance. I did not see
any one put his hand to his mouth and call " fire."
Mr. Isaac John Barrett, master of the Spa Wood
Grammar School—l was at the Surrey Hall on Sunday
evening in company with my wife. I stood with my
face to the audience, about three yards in front of the
pulpit. During the second prayer there was breathless
silence, and I distinctly heard the tinkling of the drops
of the gas chandelier and a rumbling sound of feet as if
stamping at the main entrance, simultaneous with
another such sound at the north-east entrance, accom-
panied with the breaking of glass. I had not
then heard the word " fire." From the manner in
which Mr. Spurgeon addressed the audience in
prayer I thought a disturbance might occur, He
said, "There were a great many mealy-mouthed
ministers who were afraid to use the word hell to ears
polite, but that he should use it a great many times that
❑ight in the course of his address. His master Christ
seldom spoke of heaven, but of hell." Immediately on
hearing that a thought crossed my mind that a disturb-
ance might arise. I believe the disturbance arose from
a preconcerted plan by the opponents of Mr. Spurgeon.
When the confusion commenced Mr. Spurgeon desired
the audience to be quiet—it was only " pickpockets."
I saw an old schoolfellow of mine named Young, who
has a wooden leg, go into the pulpit. He said " they
must be aware of the expense incurred in engaging the
hall, and that as they had not been able during the
confusion to collect as much as they anticipated, he
should feel obliged to the remaining portion of the
audience if they would subscribe as they went out." I
do not attribute the disturbance to anything Mr.

Spurgeon said.
Superintendent Lund—l went to the Surrey Gardens
at half-past 5 o'clock on Sunday evening in consequence
of an application for eight policemen, and that Mr.
Spurgeon would preach there. I went there as a matter
of duty. On my arrival I found at least 15,000 persons
assembled. I took up my position at the gates of the
ront entrance until five minutes past 6. A large num-
ber of persons had been admitted, and then there was a
large number remaining outside. I left the entrance
gates and made my way to the N.W. Tower. I en-
tered and ;saw the ball and galleries tolerably full. I
returned by the main entrance where a number of per-
eons were entering. I considering they would fill the
hall, and on meeting one of the deacons, I told him the
hall was pretty well full, and that I should take the
responsibility of closing the gates. I locked them, and
left three policemen at the gates to intimate to the people
that the hall was full. I returned into the hall, went
through the body of the hall and into the orchestra, and
took up a standing position on the left hand side of the
pulpit, which gave me a command of the whole build-
ing. The service had not then commenced. There were
between 5,000 and 6,000 persons in the body of the hall,
comprising men, women, and children. There were a
great many children, and a very large proportion of
women in the body of the hall. The three galleries
were pretty full, but I don't think there were so many
as on the Alboni night, when 13;000 persons were
present ; there was walking room round the first
gallery behind the seats, but I could not see how
full the ethers were. I should think there
were about 1,400 persons in the first gallery. The
other galleries appeared to be full. The service opened
about half-past six with a hymn, followed by a prayer,
aad what Mr. Spurgeon said appeared to have a great
effect on the female portion of the audience. He said,
"There may he some daughters here who have erred
from the paths of virtue, and may have brought their
fathers' grey hairs with sorrow to the grave." There
was great sobbing and crying amongst the females. Ile
continued his prayer, saying, " What a glorious night
is this." I then saw two men, and a lad about 16 or 17
and considerably shorter than the other two, rise up in
the body of the hail, immediately opposite the grand
entrance. One of them held up his arms and called
out what I believe to be " fire, fire." The cry was
immediately repeated, and it is impossible to de
scribe the scene that ensued. I jumped down from
the orchestra. There was a tremendous rushing, and I
heard the greatest noise at the north-west gallery. I
saw no one attempt to arrest the parties who raised the
alarm. It appeared to be a general panic after the first
alarm. I den% think I should know the party again
—I may say certainly not. The hall was lighted inside
as usual, and there were some lights on the outside. I
could see no cause for the origin of the cry of " Fire."
I put Mrs. Lund, who was with me, out at the south-
east door, and I then proceeded to the north-west
door. The first thing I sa v was a respectable female,
with her face fearfully cut. I assisted her to Mr. ryler'e
office, and she afterwards left in a cab. On my return I
was informed some one was lying dead on the fiats of
the refreshment rooms. I returned immediately, and
then saw the balustrade was down, and six or
seven people had fallen over to the bottom ; one
man's leg was broken. The people were rushing down
the staircase; but they made way for me to ascend by
the side nearest the wall. On the matting of the first
gallery, inside the door, I saw a female lying dead, but
I can't identify her as being one of the deceased. lam
certain three dead bodies of females were brought down
stairs. I lifted the window a little, an I saw two
wouien, and as I came down the stairs I saw a mail
lying on the flats dead. I afterwards sent some police
to the spot, who brought the bodies down, and they
were all found to be dead. It was my impression at the
time that the di,turbance arose from the opponents of
Mr. Spurgecn, and that it arose by preeencertien, but
certainly not by them. Ai such I reported to the Secre-
tary of State ; but I have since had cause to alter my
opinion. I did not hear of a single pocket handk, rchief
having been stolen. The gites wore closed at 10 minutes
past 6 o'clock. After that Serseant Coppin went out•
side, and there saw a number of se ell mobsruen. Their
practice in to go into a building with the tail end of the
people. The gates were closed 20 minutes before the
appointed time. I have not heard of anything being
stolen. I should have thought four policemen sufficient
for security inside, but as Mr. Spurgeon's friends asked
for more, he had them. If I had not been applied to I
should have sent three or four men. About 13 or 14
persons were picked up at the bottom of the stairs.
By the Foreman—l have formed a different view as
to the cause of the panic from my first impression, and
as I am prosecuting inquiries I must decline giving my
change of opinion, and the causes for it. Tuere were
28 policemen present on the Albuni night.
By Foreman—aow were the policemen disposed on
Sunday evening ?
Witness—Sergeants Coppin and Varney were inside.
The others were about the building and at the end
a the staircases.

Foreman—Was there a man stationed at this stair-
case

Witness—l believe so.
Foreman—Do you know who was there !
Witness—l don't recollect ; but I can ascertain.
Foreman— Would it not be the duty of a man sta-
tioned at a particular spot to remain there
Witness—Not in this iustanci.., because the instruc•
tions are general.
Foreman—l consider we should have the man before
us who was stationed there, because he must have seen
the accident.

Mr, Superintendent Lund —I will make inquiries
and let you know if a p diceman was at the bottom of
the stairs at the time. Witness continued, in answer to
a flu'stion put to him, to say that up to the time of the
cry of fire, the immense concourse of persons was orderly,
and there was no indication of a di,turbance likely to
occur.

a _
By .-r
.. nryrnan__l heard no tinkling of bells or of
tpak°
glass. I heard no
d screams previ,us to the panic.
By Mr. Hollan
eynefuo rt tb hatink etfhheelbisre7aking of the
chandeliers might be
Witness—Yen.
John Varney, police_
constable 333 P—l was on duty
on Sunday evening at the
cut crying "Fire !" front gates. Persons rushed
I fetched and from what they
to me
a surgeon. On
returning I went into
the bulling. The witness then repeated the evidence
given by him on Tuesday with re
of the b di, A. The
gates
sere burst
to the identity
in from Penton-
place after the alarm was given.
Teen, were more than
a thousand persona in the gardens who
could
not gain
admission into the body of the hail,
Evidence was then taken to complete the identity of
Mrs. Mead, which was not completed on the former
day, and where her death took /Ace.
Robert Paine Grace, 14 years of age, residing at 11,
Lyndhnrst-grove, Lyndburst-road, Peckham—
i the Surrey-gardens on Sunday evening, in the thi'vrdas at
gal"
ITy on L.,e left hand side from the pulpit. After being
there a' out half an hour I saw a middle.aged man near
the principal entrance. He had dark whiskers and a
heNrd. He threw about his arms and cried "Fire"
several times. I heard another man cry " Fire," and at
the same time a young man do the same. • The cry of
" Fire" was repeated from one to the other. A. general