The Sun.
London, England, 1803-07-11 00:00:00

FIRE IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

Is h with extreme concern we state, that 'K'
devouring
flames so frequently originating in publid.,
buildings by the carelessness of plumbers have reach.,.
ed this venerable pile. Some men in the employ tall,'
Mr. Jones, of Tothilhstreet, on Saturday, havint
a firelighted in their portable furnace on the top oti
the square Tower, in the center of the cross aisles,'
Over that part of the Choir which is between thss,
Pulpit and Altar, for heating their solder to repair
the leads of the roof, carelessly went to dinner aC
one o'clock, without leaving a proper person tc/
attend the fire, and about a quarter before `t"o
o'clock, before their return, this part of the WI
which was flat,
.supported by braces of timber 30.
plaster, most curiously gilt, was completely 1°
flames, and was in a short time entirely consumed,
for, from the great height, it was impossible to,
convey sufficient water quickly to it t the fella its,
melted lead, and of the half.burnt timbers, Wak
most tremendous, and would soon have laid the
whole Choir in ashes, but for the exertions of the.
engines, which arrived in time to play upon and
extinguish the burning wood as it fell ; and we are
happy to state that the Organ, and that part of the
Choir between it and the Pulpit, and the Monument'
in general, have escaped with very little damages
except what the water from the engines may circa;
We were concerned to observe the sad and rapid
drat of the torrents of water which the engines
stationed without to supply those within occasioned
to the floor, which was presently sunk a foot of
more over a considerable part of the cross AO,
and even in the nave, the sandy soil in which "le
bodies are interred, from never having been befog°,
wetted for centuries, settled so much; and it will
be well if some of the piers, against which 'del,
graves have been construCted, do not settle, sun
damage many parts of this fine and venerable build:
ing. The tremendous fall of the burning wood and
materials, the loud and confused noise of the en"
gines and people, amidst the monuments of motto
pity which we have been so long accustomed to
contemplate in silence, excited the most awful ideas.
Detachments of Horse and Fuot Soldiers Wse
timely ordered out, and kept the avenues clear, and
the St. Margaret's and St. John's Associations well
mustered, and did duty at the doors, 'and within
side the church, and were of essential service 0
preserving the Monuments from damage, by persons
pressing against or climbing on them.
j.
By six o'clock the fire was entirely extingusih..
without extending to any other part of the roof,cl
buildings except the top of the Tower in which
begun. We were much surprised to observe th°
none of the large timbers which fell struck "ski
screens which part the Choir from the cross aisles.
and they remained to the last nearly unhurt. Csnl
of the Firemen had a narrow escape of a MI 16)".
the top of the Tower, as he was employed with I
hook detaching the burning wood. clic fl.imea asp
atirafted the notice of spetiators in
cended a great height above the Tower, and I'l'4
every Orr of
the
present, Military
encouraging
ianngd
the Town; the crowd was immense.
others in their efforts to preserve this venerable
itddi.ieluiep:uat.ilrbeatsiceetedr
uainagndricoaganntenxnoeiefosrsuaa l3,n,ajoenbtsdhli
eraebtaynt
otdhteil itlehersoFnsiroefmdeinstiatincil
struCture, particularly PR INCE WILLIAM of GLOO'
CRSTrIt. It is to be mentioned to the credit of she
eared to the atfcdions by time, by the relics di
es tQ
which it is devoted'.
Our readers may recolleft that a similar piece °I
beautiful
contributeushteoieilyunlcelj:uti ciritapoicoi resFe:ooll4l,
carelessness occasioned the,destruCtion of St. Paul
Church, Covent.garden, just after it had been C.
paiied at an enormous expence by the parishinnael
about seven years ao; and that the roof of Nor'
wick Cathedral wag s destroyed by the same care'
lessness.

Lord and Lady MELVILLE arrived at Ale 11,11::
Castle on the 3oth ult. and on Thursday last 1":
proceeded northwards from Edinburgh for Donna'
their Seat in the Highlands.
The Dutchess aIiORDON left Town on Santlll4
morning, on a visit to the Duke and Dutchess
lieowoan, at Woburn Abbey.
Madame Sett IMMELPENNINCK leaves her l'°usil
in Cumberland.place to-morrow morning, and vcii
embark at Deptford on board the yacht belogibl
mo Sheerness dock-yard, which has been sent UP th,
River for that purpose. She will, proceed toi
Nore on board the yacht, but will he conveyed ti
Holland in the Dutch vessel Ajax (flag of truec
lately arrived for the purpose.