The Sun.
London, England, 1850-08-14 00:00:00

THE FIRE AT GRAVESEND.

GRAVESEND, AUG. 13.—50 much suspicion is now
attached to the origin of this most destructive confla-
gration, involving a loss, as this day's further inquiry
has elicited, of little short of 100,0001., that the ma-
gistrates of the borough felt it to be their imperative
duty to suggest to the coroner (Mr. J. G. Hilder)
the necessity of holding an inquest to ascertain how
and in what house or place it had originated. The
coroner, as we have learnt, expressed his willingness
—nay, his anxious desire—to hold such inquest, so
many very destructive fires having within some ten
years occurred in the town, but was diffident in doing
to, seeing that the corporation might, as was done in
the city of London, repudiate payment of the expenses
of such inquiry, should he hold it. He, very properly
it would seem, required a guarantee on the part of the
corporation for the payment of expenses, but up to
this hour, six o'clock P.M., we have not been able to
ascertain whether such guarantee has been given.
Doubtless it will yet be given, as the Mayor is ac-
tively engaged in promoting an inquiry before the
coroner, assuming that public officer to be the proper
person before whom it should be legally instituted.
In the meantime an active and close investigation has
been going on during this day before the Superinten-
dent of Police (Nr. North) as to the origin of the fire.
All the statements made to him were by persons who,
htting witnessed the outbreak of the fire, came vo-
luntarily forward, or on the invitation of the police-
officer. To-morrow the magistrates propose to take
the evidence of these persons, so as to ascertain from
it the necessity of holding an inquest by the coroner.
We subjoin a letter from Mr. Reed, to whom refe-
rence was made in our yesterday's report:—
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—As an inquest is to be held as to the origin
of the late calamitous fire at Gravesend, I will refrain
from any observation here in reference to its origin,
but as an allegation " that I had left the town, or, at
least, not been seen since the fire," contained in your
journal of this day, is calculated to raise a strong im-
pression against my character, and an inference that
I shunned an inquiry, I beg to. inform you that im-
mediately after myself and family escaped from my
late premises we went to the Rose Tavern, next door
to the Town-hall, which place we left in a public cab
yesterday forenoon for my present lodgings, No. 22,
Parrock-street, previously leaving with the landlord,
Mr. Lewes, a written address of where I was to be
found.

Trusting to your sense of justice for the insertion
of this letter,—l am, Sir, yours &c.,
M. W. REED.

22, Parrock-street, Gravesend.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sru,—Allow me to state that this office lost about.
2,0001., and not 6,0001., at the fire at Gravesend, as
reported in your columns to-day.
I am, Sir, yours &c.,
THOMAS A. BURR.
Kent Mutual Fire Insurance Society,
6, Old Jewry, August 13.

A WISE MAN ASFIRING TO THE PAPACY:Dr
Wiseman (the Roman Catholic Bishop, a pamphlet of whose
was sedulously distributed among the Anglo-Catholics of
St. Martin's Hall), has been made a cardinal; whereby
hangs a tale. It is said that our ambitious countryman aims
at filling the chair of St. Peter itself, and that when he is
seated in it the celibacy of the Romish clergy is to be abo-
lished, thereby removing the chief stumbling block in the
road to Rome of so many priests of the Church of England
and in Scotland.—Manchester Examiner and Ti»zes.

CASED WINES.—An importation having taken place
of a parcel of French wine in caps, which:were, subsequently
to their being housed in the bonding warehouse, found to
contain considerably less than two gallons to the dozen, as
usual in such cases, the importer requested permission for
one nr more of the cases to be measured as a guide for the
whole quantity. It was considered that the request could
not be complied with.

0
.

ASTLRY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Proprietor and Manager, Mr. W. Batty.
The best ventilated Theatre in London.
Crowded Houses to witness the attractive and magnificent Spectacle
of Mazeppa, which, With brilliant novelties in the Wonders of the
Arena, form the most varied and attractive Entertainments in the
Metropolis.

THIS EVENING,
Will be produced Lord Byron's gorgeous Spectacle- of MAZEPPA
and the WILD HORSE. Mazeppa, Mr. N. T. Hicks.
To be succeeded by an inimitable Display of Batty's Feats of
Equitation in the Cirque Olympique.
To conclude with the Balle of THE CHAMOIS HUNTER.
Box.oitce open From Eleven till Four
Stale Manager. Mr. W. West.

Under the Patronage of her Most Gracious Majesty, his Roya 1
Highness Prince Albert, &c. &c.
ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
OPEN every MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, and
THURSDAY.
Last Week ef M. Jullien.
Another splendid Elephant.
Promenade Concert, conducted by M. Jullien and Mr. Godfrey—Se-
lect
Programme of Ancient and Modern Music—Jullien's Nepaul-
ese Quadrille.
The new Irish Quadrille, the " Hibernian," composed by M. Jullien.
The Derby-Day Galop," composed expressly for these Gardens, is
one of the most successful of Monsieur Jullien's compositions, and
in consequence of the nightly encore, will be repeated till further
notice.
The Grand Ghorka March, performed for the first time before the
Nepaulese Ambassador.
Prodigious Success of the entirely new-modelled Diorarttic Pic-
ture representing the PASSAGE of the ALPS by Napoleon and his
Army the largest Picture in the World! with innumerable moving
Figures the size of life. Modelled, painted, and produced by Mr.
Denson and Son, assisted by Messrs. Adams, Wilson, &c. &c. The
Picture has occupied the Messrs. Damson for many months, and it is
confidently submitted to the Public as a chef-d'oeuvre of art, and not
inferior to any production of the day.
The Splendid, MENAGERIE has lately been enriched by several
valuable Presents from the Queen.
The Musical Department will be conducted by Mons. Jullien and
Mr. Godfrey. It will be the aim of the Establishment to offer
for the gratification of the Subscribers and the Public, the
most Splendid Military Band in the Kingdom I I Selected
from the Bands of her Majesty's Horse and Foot Guards, and the
most eminent Artistes in the profession.
The following list of engagements will, it is hoped, convince the
Public. that the iong,acknowledged excellence of the Band of this
Establishment will be hilly maintained ! The Repertoire of Music
will be most extensive and varied, arranged from the most Popular
Opera* in this and other countries. Solo-Players—Niestrs. Romig,
Lazarus, Prosperre, Colinet, Pratten, Jarrett, Sonnenberg, Sommers,
and Winterbotham.
During the evening a grand Colossal, Scenic, and Pyrotechnic
Tableau illustrating the celebrated Picture by David, of Buonaparte
Crossing the .Ups ! Showing a general view of the Region of the
Alps, stretching from the small mountain lake in the foreground to
the distant snow-clad mountains, crowned by the stupendous Mount
St. Bernard and its far-famed Monastery. A portion of the French
Army is first seen "en bivouac," presently the drums beat to arms,
and amid the clash of Military Bands and Martial Music, the Troops
tonamence tho Ascent. The Soldiers are seen dragging the Artillery in
Trants of Trees, now ascending almost Perpendicular Heights, and
treversing the most Terrific Ravines, but all difficulties are overcome,
and the Gallant Army is seen pursuing its course to the Fertile
plains of Italy.
The whole to conclude with a Gorgeous Display of Fireworks, by
Messrs. Southby, introducing, amongst various novelties, the most
admired feux d'artifice of former seasons, jets d'eau, water rockets,
revolving pieces, a magnificent Transparency fifty feet in height,
painted by Messrs. Denson, representing Buonaparte on Horseback
cheering on his Troops, surrounded by warlike emblems, insignia of
honour, flags, trophies, &c., amidst a cerrusca.tion of various coloured
area.
'The complicated and difficult machinery, and the erection of the
picture under the direction of Mr. Thos Lowe. The extensive gas
fittings by Messrs. Botoherby and Dixon, 23, King-street, Covent-
garden.

Admission, Is.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

To " Amicus, Bridport."—We do not answer questions
of that nature publicly, because it is not quite correct
either in " Amiens" to put such, or to expect
an answer, without honouring us with his name
confidentially. The Noble Lord alluded to is a first-
rate speaker, bur is not now in the House of Com-
mons. If " Amicus" will refer to Sir E. B. Lytton's
New • Tirzon. he will there see who is styled " the
Rupert of Debate." " The best." has, unfortunately,
or I ite, left but his shar!ow behind him.