The Sun.
London, England, 1850-08-12 00:00:00

TREMENDOUS CONFLAGRATION
AT GRAVESEND.
UPWARDS OF FORTY HOUSES BURNED.
GRAVESEND, AUG. H.—The most destructive fire
that has ever occurred at Gravesend took place this
morning. The particulars, as far as they could be
ascertained by the reporter from the most authentic
sources and his own observation, are as follows :—At
about five minutes past two o'clock a man, who stated
his name to be Parker, called at the station-house,
and told Sergeant Penman, who was then in charge
of the place, that he had just seen smoke issuing from
the window of a house close by, in High-street. Pen-
man went to the spot indicated, and saw a flame burst-
ing from beneath the weather boarding above the
kitchen window of the house of Mr. Adlington, grocer,
High-street. He immediately gave the alarm, and in a
very short space of time the town engines, together
with those of the Custom-house, and ofMr. Plane's
(the Mayor) brewery, were on the spot, and a
supply of water from the mains of the waterworks
having been promptly got, every effort was made to
subdue the fire, which by this time had extended
itself to the house adjoining Mr. Adlington's.
The wind blew rather fresh from the south-west,
sweeping the flames over the houses down the
High-street towards the Town-pier. The engines,
though well worked and abundantly supplied with
water, gained no influence over the fire, which had at
about three o'clock extended to seven houses on that
(the western) side of the street. The engine from
Tilbury Fort, accompanied by a body of troops,
having now arrived, more vigorous, but equally un-
availing, efforts were made to stay the further pro•
gress of the fire, which had at soon after three o'clock
crossed the street. seizing first upon the extensive
premises of Mr. Young, butcher. From ,there the
flames spread to the houses all down the eastern side
of the street, including the County Bank, the Savings
Bank, the Kent-tavern, Brinchley's Distillery, &c.
The High-street on both sides from the Town-hall
downwards to within a short distance of the Town-
pier was at four o'clock completely inveloped in
flames, which, when they involved the premises of
Mr. Troughton, tallow-chandler, and an oilshop and
chemist's shop contiguous to it, formed an awful
conflagration. At this time all hope of
preserving a single house between the Town-
hall and the pier was abandoned by all parties, not-
withstanding that the Dartford and Rochester en-
gines had arrived, and a prodigious, volume of
water was discharged on the whole line of burning
houses on both sides of the street. There was fortu-
nately sufficient time to save the cash-boxes and the
securities and other documents of the County and
Savings Banks, which were taken to the Custom-
house, all the officers of which were actively engaged
with the military, poliae, and townspeople in working
the engines. Comparatively little property was saved
from the fire, which, between 5 and 6 o'clock had
completely destroyed 24 houses (as the annexed list
will show) on both sides of High-street, independently
of several houses in Princes-street and the courts
leading out of High-street, between the Town-hall
and the Pier. A telegraphic communication from.
the railway-station, at the instance of the Mayor
(Mr. Plane), having been made to the London- bridge
station, a body of the Fire-brigade and two engines
were as soon as possible dispatched from London, and
arrived in Gravesend at about 20 minutes to 7 o'clock.
The work of destruction was then done, the fire
having been providentially stayed in its progress down
the High-street, and extending backwards to Princes-
street, by a change of wind to the north and west-
ward at 6 o'clock. The assistance of the' brigade,
with their powerful engines and practised skill, was,
however, effectual in suppressing the fire still
bursting forth from the mighty mass of ruins—all
that remained of the property destroyed, and which
is calculated to amount in value to 60,0001.
In the early part of the day it was rumoured that
Mr. May, bootmaker, was missing, and that a man
who sells crockeryware about the town as a hawker
was killed in endeavouring to escape from a house in
Princes-street, in which he lodged. The first state-
ment proved to:' be unfounded; and it appears in
reference to the hawker, that the poor man had suf-
fered severe bodily injury, having fallen down a burn-
ing staircase. He was removed to the workhouse in
a dangerous state. 'the insurance-offices which will
be the principal sufferers are, as we learn, the Kent,
the Sun, and the Phenix.
During the morning Mr. Braidwood, the superin-
dent of the London Brigade, and also Mr. Connorton,
the foreman of the West of England Office, and seve-
ral of his firemen, visited the spot for the purpose of
ascertaining the extent of the loss.
Subjoined is a copy of Mr. Braidwood's official re-
port of the damage done :
" Sunday, Aug. 11, 1850—Called, by an electric tele-
graph message, to a fire in .11igh-street, Gravesend,
which did the following damage:—
" No. 65, High-street, J. Adlington, grocer and tea
dealer—Premises burnt down and contents consumed;
insured in the Star-office.

DEATH OF THE VICE-CHANCEL-
LOR OF ENGLAND.
The Right Hon. Sir Lancelot Shadwell, Vice-
Caalicellor of England, expired on Saturday morning
at bis residence, the Barn Elms, Putney. The event
was hourly expected from the Friday afternoon, when
the symptoms of the paralytic attack, under which
he laboured for the last month, became painfully
alarming.
The death of so good and so able a man will be
greatly lamented. He presided over a branch of the
Court of Chancery since the year 1827, and secured the
entire respect of the profession, by the general soundness
of his judgment, by the regularity of his attendance
i❑ his court, and his untiring assiduity in the disposal
of his business.
Sir Lancelot Shadwell was the' son of a barrister,
well known in his day in the courts of law. He was
born in the year 1779, and was educated in St. John's
College, Cambridge, at which university he took a
humble degree as 7th wrangler and junior medallist.
He subsequently obtained a fellowship, and in 1803
was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn. In 1821 he
n'as appointed a King's counse►, and in 1826 he ob-
tained a seat in Parliament for the borough of Ripon,
where he exercised much influence in consequence of
his holding an important office in connexion with the
estates of the late Miss Lawrence, who owned the
major portion of the borough property. A 3 already
stated, Sir Lancelot was made V,ce-Chancellor in
1827. In 1835 he became one of the Lords Com-
missioners of the Great Seal, and he again held that
office in the present year.
The Vice-Chancellor was in his 72d year, had been
twice married, and has left a numerous family to de-
plore his loss.
His death will also be especially lamented by the
inhabitants of Barnes, Mortlake, and its neighbour-
hood, amongst whom he has resided nearly 18 years,
and had endeared himself to them by his urbanity and
benevolence.

COURT CIRCULAR.
OSBORNE, SATURDAY.
The Queen and Prince took their accustomed early
walk this morning in Osborne Park.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the
Princess Royal, and younger members of the Royal
Family, walked and rode as usual.
Her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland and the Lady
Constance L. Gower left Osborne this forenoon for
London.

There was no addition yesterday to the Roya
dinner party.

SUNDAY.
The Queen and Prince and younger members
of the Royal Family, accompanied by their ,illus-
trious relatives, walked early this morning in Osborne
Park and grounds.
Her Majesty, his Royal Highness, and her Royal
Highness the Princess Royal, and the ladies and
gentlemen of the royal household, attended Divine
service this morning at Osborne. The Rev. T. Pro-
theroe officiated.
Lord Jocelyn had the honour of being included in
the royal dinner party yesterday.

The Queen will hold a Privy Council on Wednes-
lay next, the 14th inst., at Buckingham Palace.
Summonses were issued on Saturday from the Privy
Council Office to the Ministers and Officers of State.
His Serene Highness Prince Leopold of Saxe-
Coburg Gotha left Clarence House, St. James's, on
.Friday evening, for Dover, en route to Brussels.
The Rev. Charles Prest and the Rev. Thomas
Vasey, a deputation from the Wesleyan Conference,
had an interview with Secretary Sir George Grey on
Saturday, at the Home-:office, to present an address
of congratulation to the Queen on the birth of a
Prince.
Mr. W. H. Bland had an interview with Earl Grey
on Saturday at the Colonial-office.
The Duke of Wellington attended the early service
yesterday in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The
prayers were read by the Rev. J. C. Haden, and the
sermon was preached by the Rev. F. D. Perkins.
His Excellency Count Schimmelpenninck has re-
mitted to the Baron Marochetti the cross of Com-
roandeur de la Couronne de Cherie, which his Ma-
jesty the King of the Netherlands has been pleased to
confer upon him.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
Amongst the noble and distinguished individuals who
honoured the performance at her Majesty's Theatre on
Saturday evening with their presence were the follow-
ing:—His Grace the Duke of Wellington and the Mar-
chioness of Douro, his Excellency the Russian Minister,
the Baroness Brunow, and Mdlle. Olga de Lechner, his
Excellency the Swedish Minister and the Princess Mon-
tenegro. Her Majesty's box was occupied by the Duchess
of Grafton, Lord and Lady Charles Fitzroy, Lady Eliza-
beth Smith, and Captain Dawson and party. Amongst the
company present in the theatre on this occasion also were
the Marquis of Donegal, the Marquis of Bath, the Earl of
Cardigan, the Earl of Lonsdale, the Earl and Countess of
Westmoreland and the Hon. Miss Pane, the Earl of Pem-
broke, the Earl of Malmesbury, the Earl Granville,
the Earl of Chesterfield, the Earl of St. Germans and
the Ladies Eliot, the Viscount Cranbourne, the Viscount
Clifden, Lord Gardner, Lord Adolphus Fitzelarence,
Lord William Lennox, Lady William Paulett, Lady
Rosa Fune, M. de Kremer, the Hon. Spencer Cowper,
the Hon, James Wilde and Mrs. Wilde, Mr. Dundee,
Major the Hon. James Macdonald, the Baron Videl,
Lady Harriette d'Orsay, Sir G. Wombwell, Bart., the
Aide-de Camp to the President of France, Lieutenant-
General Sir Alexander Woodford, Bart., Lady and Miss
Woodford, General the Honourable A. Upton, the
Hon. Strange Jocelyn, Lady Lake, Sir W. Call, Bart.,
and Miss Call, Sir Ralph Howard, Bart., and Lady
Howard, Colonel and Lady Jane Meyricke, Sir Sey-
mour Sadler, Sir Thomas Barrett Lennard, Bart., and
Lady Barret Lennard, the Count de Barke, the Marquis
d'A zeglio, Chevalier Beglione, Count Fleury, M. Bellora,
M. Devoieux, Mr. Dennistoun, Mr. W. Rose, Mr. Tre-
lawney, jun., Mr. Dodd, M.P., Mrs. Dodd and Miss
Saunders, r. J. Beioley, Mr. H. Broadley, M.P. Mr.
Stewart, Mr. Murray, Mr. Mackinnon, M.P., Mrs.
Paulett Somerset, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Gordon, Mr.
Claude Wilde, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Bernal, Mr. Strong, Mr.
Charles Whatmar, Mr. Colquhoun, Mr. Hubert de
Burgh, Mr. C. Barry Baldwin, M.P., Captain Arthur,
Captain Phibbs, Mr. Antrobus, Captain and Miss Dixon,
Mr. C. J. Palmer, Miss Bellew, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Rick-
ards, Mr. Leary, Mr. Cutler, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Percival,
Mr. Campbell, Mr. Morgan, Captain Pakenham, Mr. D.
Langdon, &c.

THE ItOYAL ITALIAN OPE.. ..
Her Majesty's box was occupied on Saturday night
by the Countess of Jersey and Lady Clementine Vil-
liers, the Earl and Countess of Besborough, the Countess
of Malmesbury, Viscount Ingestre, &c. Among the
distinguished company attending the performance were
his Excellency the Ambassador Extraordinary from
the Nepaul State and the members of his suite, the
Duchess of Richmond and Lady Augusta Len-
nox,lhe Marchioness of Conyngham, the Marchioness
di Brancalioni and Madame Brancalioni, the Earl of Bel-
fast, the Earl and Countess of Beauchamp, the Earl of
Kinnoull and Lady Frances Hay, Viscountess Forbes,
the Countess Grey and Lady Alice Lambton, Lord and
Lady Carrington, the lion. Miss Carrington, Lady
Seaton and the Hon. Miss Colborne, Lady Buller and
party, Lady Mary Wood, Lady Grey, Lady Langford,
Sir Joseph Copley and Miss Copley, Sir Ralph and
Lady Howard, Sir George and Lady Armytage, Sir
Henry Webb, Sir Francis and Lady Lawley, the lion.
Colonel Fitzgibbon and Miss Fitzgibbon, the Hon.
Lieutenant-Colonel and Mrs. Upton, the Greek Consul-
General and Madame Ralli, M. Uzalli, Mr. Elliot, Mr.
Bulteel, Mr. H. Greville, &c.

ERA

" No. 66, ditto,,M. Reed, tobacconist—Burned down;
insured in the Kent Fire-office.

" No. 67, ditto, T. C. Barber, currier—Dwelling-
house and workshops totally destroyed. Insurance un-
known.
__

----
" No. 68, ditto, belonging to Mr. Gregory, but un-
occupied—Burned down. Insured in the Mutual-office.
" No. 69, ditto, E. and M. Gregory, drapers—Totally
consumed. Insured in the Mutual Fire-office.

No. 70, ditto. unoccupied—Burned down. Insured
in tbs Mutual-office.

" Nos. 71 and 72, ditto, J. T. Fenwick, clothier---
Burned down. Insurance unknown.
" No. 73, ditto, Mr. C. Day, surgeon—Premises par-
tially destroyed. Insurance not known.
" No. 74, ditto, Mr. Saunders, surgeon—Roof burned,
and rest of house seriously damaged by fire.—lnsured in
the Phcenix.

DINNER OF THE EAST INDIA

" No. 64, ditto, Messrs. Troughtontind Co. tallow-
chandlers—The premises and contents destroyed. Sup-
posed to be insured in the Alliance.
" No. 63, ditto, Mr. Hery Creed, victualler (Parr's
Head)—Burned down. Supposed to be insured in the

COMPANY TO SIR WILLIAM GOMM.

" No. 62, ditto, J. H. Hatton, draper, &o.—Totally
consumed. Insurance unknown.

" No. 61, ditto, Mr. Ne;Man, stationer—Burned
down. Insured for stock in trade, &c., in the General
Fire-office.
" No. 60, ditto, R. Jarroy, eating-housekeeper—
Building and contents seriously damaged by fire, &c.
Insured in the Kent-office.

" No. 22, ditto, B. Culley, refreshment rooms—Pre-
mises and contents damaged. Insured in the Globe.
" No. 21. ditto, C. Spenser, chemist—Burned down.
Insured in the General office.
No. 20, ditto, J. Temple, tavern-keeper—Totally
destroyed. Insurance unknown.
" N0..19, ditto, C. Lipscombe, perfumer—Burned
down.

" No. 18, ditto, L. Young, butcher—Burned down.
No. 17, ditto, the London and County Bank—To-
tally consumed; insured in the Kent-office.
" High-street Distillery, J. Brenchley—Dwelling-
house burned down, roof of distillery broken, and con-
siderable damage by water and removal, building, furni-
ture, &c.; insured in the Kent-office.
No. 16, in the same street, J. R. May, boot-maker—
Burned down; insurance not known.
No. 15, ditto, T. Butcher, confectioner—Burned
down; insured in the Globe-office.
" No. 14, ditto, H. Newman, stationer—Burned down;
insured in the Phcenix-office.
,6 No, 13, ditto, unoccupied—. Destroyed; insurance
unknown.
‘. No, 12, ditto, W. Croft, grocer—Serious damage by
fire and removal; insurance unknown.
" No. 1, Church-alley, let out in tenements. Burned
down.
" No. 2, ditto—similar damage; uninsured.
"No. 3, ditto—ditto ditto
" No. 4, ditto—ditto ditto
" No. 5, ditto—ditto ditto
"No. 1, Princes•street, C. Yomvin, pipe-maker—Da-
mage by removal, Btc.; uninsured.
" No. 2, ditto, H. Stocks, bricklayer--Similar damage;
insured in the Licensed Victuallers'-office.
"Nos. 4 and 4i, ditto, Mr. Bell—Roof destroyed, rest
of building and contents damaged by fire, &c.; insurance
unknown.

On Saturday evening the chairman and directors of
the East India Company gave a sumptuous entertain-
ment to Sir William Gomm, on occasion of his proceed-
ing to take the command of the army in the presidency
of Bombay. Mr. Shepherd, the chairman of the board
of directors, occupied the chair, and there were also pre-
sent the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of London, Lord
Viscount Hardinge, Mr. Masterman, M.P.; Sir James
Weir Hogg, Bart., M.P., Mr. Wilson, M.P.; Lieutenant
Generals Sir T. McMahon, K.C.8., Sir H. Douglas,
Bart, G.C.8., Sir J. Law Luahington, G.C.8., G. Car-
penter; Major-Generals Sir G. Pollock, G.C.8., Sir W.
Retries, C. 8., Sir J. Bolt, P. Delamotte, C. 8., D.
Macleod, W. Sandwich, C. 8., J. F. Salter, C. 8., H. G.
A. Taylor, C. 8., R. Whish; Colonels Cornwall, D.
Capon, C. 8., F. Schuler, Sir H. Dundas, K.C.8., G. IL
Pemberton, Mackeson, C. 8.; Lieutenant-Colonels D.
Forbes, H. M. Graves, J. Lloyd, C. 8., A. Mercer, C. 8.,
R. W. Wilson, C.. 8., A. Woodburn, W. Alexander,
C. 8., Sir Henry Willock, `K.L.S., Sir R. Jenkins,
G.C.8., Sir J. H. Pelly, Bert., Sir:Jobia E
ast—h ope, Mr.
Wigram, &c.

_ -
After the usual loyal and constitutional toasts had
been drunk,

RUMOURED RETIREMENT OF LORD JOHN Rus-
SELL FROM THY REPRESENTATION OF THE CITY OF LON-
DON.—It is said, and generally credited, that Lord John
Russell does not intend to stand again for the City, and that
this may in part account for the lukewarmness which he has
recently betrayed in asserting the well .founded claims of his
ill-used colleague, and in forwarding the enlightened views
of his coustituents.—Morning Paper.
METROPOLITAN INTERMENT BOARD.—Dr. T.
Southwood Smith, who was the medical member of the Ge-
neral Board of Health, during the period of the Orders in
Council (as authorised by the Diseases Prevention Act), has
been appointed the second paid member of the board provided
by the Metropolitan Interment Act.
YUCCA GLORIOSA.—A splendid specimen of this
plant, probably the largest in Ireland, is now in full bloom
in the pleasure grounds at Lismore Castle—it is sixteen feet
high, and loaded with nearly 2,000 bell-shaped flowers.—
Cork Examiner.
The will of the late Sir Robert Peel was proved
on Saturday, and probate passed for assets under 500,0001.
THE SEA SERPENT AGAlN.—Extract from the
log-book of the ship Lancasterian, March 15, 1850 :_a Lat.
35.30 S, lon. 94.43 E., saw an enormous monster of the
serpent kind. It passed close under our stern, with its head
six feet above the water, making a hissing noise. we ex-
amined it minutely with our glasses. It appeared about
the length of the ship, and about three feet in diameter.
MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.—The marriage of the
Hon. T. G. Cholmondley, second son of Lord Delamere, to
Miss K. Sykes, second daughter of Sir Tatton Sykes. Bait,
took place on the Bth instant, at Stedmere House. The
lovely and accomplished bride was escorted to the church by
Sir Tatton Sykes, and attended by eight bridesmaids and a
large concourse of relatives and friends. The nuptial cere-
mony was performed by the Rev. Sir Henry Foulis, Bart., in
the presence of Lord and Lady Delamere, the Hon. Mr. and
Lady SaraliTCholmosdley, and a large circle of the surround-
ing gentry. At half-past eleven o'clock the happy pair took
their departure, en route for the north, amidst the cheers and
greetings of a large number assembled to witness their de-
apbaruttudrfaeo.nrtli
Ihnetlbhe afternoon some rural sports were introduced
for the labouring classes. A sumptuous dejeuner was served
in the dining room, at which the gentry and tenantry were
a regaled;eur
rian d a substantial .
iehdinner
upwards wasef
2aol so were
o pro-
vided
hospitably entertainedg. classes,The festivities which
of the day finished
with a dance to the tenantry and servants, in which the
gentry participated.

The CHAIRMAN said they had met on that occasion to
congratulate a distinguished officer on his appointment
to the command of the army in Bombay. When they
considered the importance of the duties that attached to
such an appointment, having the command of 6,000 men
—when they considered how much the efficiency and
discipline of the army depended an the military talent
and energy of their commander—when they remem-
bered how much the fate'and fortune of every individual
in that army might be influenced by the manner in
which the sterner qualities of the head were tempered
in their commander by the milder qualities of the heart
—(Applause)—when they remembered how much the
cordial and harmonious administration of the Govern-
ment depended on the chief civil and military powers
being animated by a spirit of wisdom and
conciliation, he was persuaded they would all agree
with him in the importance of a good commander of
the army, not only to the East India Com-
pany, but to all India. He was happy to say that the
Court of Directors had full confidence that in his gallant
friend Sir W. Gomm they had an officer who eminently
combined the qualities and virtue which he had de-
scribed. Sir W. Gomm commenced his military career
at a very early period in life. He had distinguished
himself in various important positions. He had been in
from fifteen to twenty battles. He had been with the
British army at Roleia, at Vimiera, at Corunna, at Bu-
saco, at Salamanca, at Vittoria, at the siege of Burgos,
at the siege of St. Sebastian, at the passage of the Bi-
dassoa, and, last of all, at the crowning victory of Wa-
terloo.—(Applause.) At a subsequent period Sir W.
Gomm held the command of the forces in Jamaica, in
1842; and as the duties he was then called upon to per-
form were somewhat analogous to those that would de-
volve upon him in Bombay, it was with great pleasure he
had to state that he received the unanimous thanks of the
House of Assembly for the manner in which he had dis-
charged the duties of his position. This he thought au-
gured well for his future career; and it gave the direc-
tors of the East India Company the utmost confidence
that Sir William Gomm would maintain that high repu-
tation in India which he had earned in other quarters of
the globe. He regretted that they were not on this oc-
casion honoured with the company of that great man
the Commander-in-Chief, because he was certain that
he would gladly have availed himself of this opportunity
of expressing the confidence which he reposed in their
distinguished guest, Sir William Gomm. But at the
same time he was happy to see around him so many
distinguished officers who could speak from personal
knowledge of the high merits and services of Sir Wil-
liam Gomm. They had met not only to congratulate
him on his appointment, but also to bid him God speed
in his new sphere of duty—to express their earnest
wishes that it might please God to bless him with health
of body and vigour of mind—and that after his period
of service was fulfilled, he might return to his native
country with increased honour and reputation, bearing
with him the esteem and regard, not only of the Bombay
army but of all classes in India.—(Applause.)
Sir WILLIAM Gomm returned thanks. Except as re-
garded the zeal and diligence with which he trusted he
had always endeavoured to discharge his public duties,
he could not but feel that their kindness had overrated
the services of his past career, and for the time to come
he knew and felt that it would tax his best energies to
show that he was not unworthy of the confidence reposed
in him by her Majesty's Government and this honourable
and renowned country whose interests he was sworn to
protect to the best of his ability. For the last eleven
years he had been constantly employed in the service of
the Crown in duties at times sufficiently arduous; but
the military portion of there was for the most part re-
stricted to watching over the health and discipline of the
troops it had pleased her Majesty to entrust to his com-
mand.—(Hear, hear.) He was delighted to find present
a Noble Lord whom it was his privilege and pride to
call his friend from early years, and with respect to both
of them it had been their good fortune and their pride
to serve under the same illustrious and unrivalled Chief
in other days and fields, and even since then the Noble
Lord had achieved for himself imperishable renown.—.
(Applause.) He trusted that the peace which that Noble
Lord had secured for India would be permanent, and
that, under the watchful exertions of the statesmen and
administrator who now held chief rule i❑ India, British
civilization and enlightenment would have free course in
that country, under the blessing of the Supreme Power,
for ages to come, without let or hindri:nce.—(Applause.)
But if these anticipations should prove too fond, if they
should again be called upon to rouse themselves to an
energetic war, he had see❑ too much of the bearing of
the British soldier in the tented field, and he knew too
much of the bearing of the Native army, he knew too
much of the zeal and energy of their well-tried officers
from the officer in command of a platoon or a squadron
up to the commanders of corps—men like Gilbert and
Pollock, and Whish, and many others with whose
names " all Europe rings from side to side,"—to leave
him in any doubt as to the issue. He had no doubt
they would do their utmost to rival the glories of the
recent victories is India, and for himself be trusted that
the distinguished leaders in the late battles had left
some portion of the spirit which made such glorious
schienments be>iind than, and OM the Kocicous

" No. 6, ditto, J. Parry, poulterer—Burned down;
insurance not known. _ _

" No. 29, ditto, Messrs. Peters, smiths—Front severely
scorched. _

t‘ Swan-yard—Let out in tenements, buildings burned
down; not insured.
" Ditto—H. Eleing, stable-keeper—Great damage
to premises by fire and water; insurance unknown." -
LATEST PARTICULARS.
GRAVESEND, SUNDAY, 9 P.M.—Up to this hour the
firemen had great difficulty in preventing a fresh out-
break of the fire in consequence of the great body of
flames which continued to rage in the ruins.
The authorities of the town have determined upon in-
stituting a most rigid investigation as to the cause of the
lamentable event. At present, but little accurate infor-
mation the
during event
the of any
can be obtained as to its origin.
brigade uch
forcealarm
beingprevailed
withdrawn lest, in
night, the
flames should get up, and overpowering the operations
of those left behind, destroy more property. The offi-
cers, however, very kindly communicated to the inha-
bitants that sufficient force would be kept on duty to
meet any emergency.
The news of the fire having reached the metropolis,
thousands came down by the North Kent line, and, in-
deed, from all parts of the country throughout the day,
therefore the vicinity of the ruins was densely crowded.

THE NEW NOVEL, " OUR COUNTY," by John
Mills, Esq., author of "The Old English Gentleman," ,SLe is
published this day by Mr. Colburn, and may be had at all
Shelton Mackenzie, D.C.L.
the libraries. Also just published-2. Petticoat Govern-
nmieonrnt,inbgysMarts.
Matlock,tTroilloocpke:
by3.RA.delaide Lindsay, edited by the
author of 4, Emilia Wyndham." 4. The Travellers, or
5. Ann Dysart; or the Scotch Minister's Daughter. 6. Re-
ginald Hastings, by Eliot Warburton, Esq. Second edition.
7. The Story of a Man of Fashion; or Sin and Sorrow.
8. La'Vendde, an Historical Romance, by Anthony Trol-
lope, Esq.
Annette Myers and Pate are amongst two batches
of female and male convicts who will be dispatched for Van
Diemen's Land to-morrow, by the ships William Jardine
and Rodney. It will be remembered that the woman was
convicted of shooting a soldier in the Birdcage-wall;, from
feelings of jealousy, and Pate of assaulting the
Queen.
Weekly Chronicle.

The Right lion. Thomas Francis Kennedy, pay-
master of civil service in Ireland, has been appointed one of
the Commissioners of Woods, Forests, and Land Revedues,
in the room of Alexander Milne, Esq., retired.—Weekly
Chronicle.

DEATH FROM HYDROPHOBIA. - Four or five
months ago Mrs. Jugginga, landlady of the Wheatsheaf, Sans-
street, Sunderland, was bitten in the hand by a cat; but no
importance was attached to the wound. She was subse-
quently confined, and was recovering favourably, until Sa-
turday last, when symptoms of hydrophobia set in, and on
Tuesday she died.—Gateshead Observer. _

LONDO N, MONDA y EVENING, AUGUST 12, 1850.

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE
BRADFORD REFORM ASSOCIATION.
Sir,—On Wednesday the 7th, progress was made
in the process of what at the Univelities used to be
called " huddling," which is the usual token of ap-
proaching separation. Among the performances in
this line, was the slaughter of the Incumbered Estates
(Ireland) Bill.
On Thursday the Crime and Outrage Act (Ireland)
Continuance (No. 2) Bill was read a second time,
and was further proceeded with in Committee on
Friday. The Member for the Tower Hamlets (G.
Thompson) fell into the error of attempting to speak
for the opponents of the Bill. On which they fell
upon him with a vigour and pertinacity, which made
an example of him to English Members for the
future. It is to be hoped no English Members will
vote on that side who can help it. But what is to be
done with those who cannot help it ? At the same
time there is no necessity for any English Curtius to
throw himself into the gulph ; for the understanding
is understood to be, that the question is not to be
pressed with desperation, and something else is to be
given up instead.
On the same evening Mr. Hume made his motion
for a Commission to examine into late proceedings in
the lonian Rands. The affair altogether is of
melancholy aspect, and points to evils of indefinite
extent. Here have a number of the finest islands in
the world, the earliest seats of arts and civilisation,
peopled with the most active and ingenious popula-
tion in the world, speaking and writing the noblest
language of classical antiquity with less alteration
than has taken place in English since the time of
Chaucer, and no more than any man with the Greek
of the schools may master in a month, as I indi-
vidually know from having published in the modern
Greek with only the aid that every Englishman in
India expects from his Munshi,—here have these
islands, which might have been made as efficient a
portion of the British empire as the Norman islands
which stud the Channel, for thirty years been under
British rule, and at this moment the British governor
and government occupy precisely that sort of hob-
goblin position, which little boys and girls shudder
over in the history of Gessler and Austria, till they
are cotpforted by Mamma's assurance that all such
naughty governors come to an ill end, and are first or
last, in themselves or their successors, sent to the
place where wicked people go. It is an awful
thing to run counter to the traditions of the
human race. And this in the face of a state
of things, where it is clear and has been all the
time, that England's only chance of holding her
ground against the rivalries and enmities which are
growing up before her, is in running the principle of
free amalgamation against servile annexation, and
extending the benefits, or what might be such, of
British freedom over all portions of the earth that
come within its reach, as a counterpoise to the
slavery-propped power with which she will in the
next generation have to struggle. The slave-grinders
know their business better; all they can compass,
they "annex." Why should not freedom annex, as
well as slavery; and when countries in the course of
events come or have come under British rule, why
should it not be for freedom, and for addition to the
common force? But it is to be feared all this is
above the
*pitch, not of the Government, but of the
national mind ; for Governments like ours do not
lead, but follow ; they have enough to do, of them-
selves, to get through the business of the session.
The commonest of popular errors, is that there exists a
thing called statesmanship, learned with pains and
treasured up by a small number of individuals who
have a title to it like what our ancestors attributed to
the seventh son of a seventh son ; and all the time
there is.pot that ordinary tracing out and pursuit of
a reasonable object, which enables two or three gene-
rations of traders to establish and maintain a trade to
the Baltic, or keep up' a line of mail-coaches till in
due time they are superseded by a railway.
A "little church" supported the Member for Mont-
rose. But in a stand of this kind, it is not the num-
ber that is of importance, but the fact.
The House met on Saturday for two or three hours
of routine business.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
AN OLD REFORMER.
London, Aug. 12, 1850.

meats would be recovered and cherished and turned to
good account in the hands of him who now so imper-
fectly expressed his thanks.—(Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN then gave " The Navy," for which
Captain COLLIER returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN then gave " The Army."
Sir HENRY DUNDAS returned thanks, and said it had
been his good fortune to be acquainted with Captain
Gomm many years ago, and he had then admired him as
an accomplished scholar and a gentleman, as well as a gal-
lant soldier, and he was sure that he would one day earn
for himself great distinction. He had been trained in
the school of their great captain, and had followed him
through all his brilliant achievements in the last war,
till at length the sword was sheathed on the glorious
field of Waterloo, which gave retributive justice to
Europe and peace to the world.—(Applause.) At that
time Sir Wm. Gomm gave high promise of future success,
and he felt confident that come what might, the East
India Company would not be disappointed in the antici-
pations they had formed of his high qualities.—(Cht ers.)
The CHAIRMAN then proposed " the Health of the
Scrutineers of the Company," for which Mr. Weeding
returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed " the Health of the
Committee on Bye-laws," for which Mr. Twining re-
turned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed " the Health of Lord
Hardinge."—(Applause.)
Lord HARDINGE returned thanks; and iu rtference to
the compliment which the Chairman had paid him on
his moderation in India, he could truly say that he had
drawn the sword at the last moment, and that he had
sheathed it on the earliest opportunity.—(Loud ap-
plause.) He was always happy to accept of the invite-
titions of the Chairman of the Courtof Directors to their
festive board, but especially on this occasion, when they
were met to do honour to his Gallant Friend Sir William
Gomm. He had known his Gallant Friend for forty
years, and had served with him from the earliest
period of the Peninsular war. Even then he had
acquired a high reputation as an able, active, energetic,
and intelligent officer. The Chairman had alluded in
detail to his services; and it was greatly to his credit
that, in conjunction with that eminent statesman the late
Sir Charles Metcalfe, he had distinguished himself by his
wisdom, his good sense, and his moderation.—(Applause.)
In taking the command of the Bombay army his Gal.
lant Friend would find an army ready to perform every
service that could be required of them, whether by sea
or by land.—(Applause.) The army which he was
about to command had marched through the Bolan
Pass to Ghuznee and Caubul—had fought at
Meanee and Hyderabad—had marched through
Sinde to Moults!), and, after storming that
important fortress, in conjunction with the army
of Bengal, it achieved the victory of Guzerat.
That was not all. It had marched across the Indus to
Pesbawur under the command of his Gallant Friend Sir
Henry Dundas, and again under Sir Walter Gilbert.
He knew his Gallant Friend would have difficulties to
contend with, for it was no light matter to follow such
well. beloved and truly popular commanders as his recent
predecessors had been—men who bad acted with such
mingled firmness and wisdom as Sir Willoughby Cotton
and Sir Walter Gilbert.—(Applause.) But he had no
doubt that even in this arduous situation his Gallant
Friend would acquire distinction and honour.—(Ap.
plause.) He would not detain them longer than to say
a single word on the political operations of the army
which had been so ably conducted by a distinguished
officer present on this occasion, who had acquired dis-
tinction in Affghanistan—he Alluded to Colonel Mack-
eson.—(Applause.) That officer had afterwards in-
creased his reputation by his conduct in the Punjaub;
and he was confident that he stood high in the estima-
tion of the Governor-General, on account of his being
selected as the bearer to this country of the Koh-i-Noor,
or mountain of light. He knew that that gallant officer was
distinguished among the officers of that army—fruitful
as that army was in gallant officers. He concluded by
again congratulating Sir W. Gomm on his being ap-
pointed to the command of the Bombay army, and in
wishing him health and strength, and that every good
fortune might follow him in his command.—(Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN then proposed " Sir John Hobhouse
and the Board of Control."

Mr. WILSON, returned thanks, and apologised
for the unavoidable absence of Sir John Hobhouse.
Sir WM. Gomm then proposed the health of the Chair-
man, for which the Chairman returned thanks.
The other toasts were " The Lord Mayor," for which
his Lordship returned thanks; " The Bank of Eng-
land," which was acknowledged by Mr. Thomson Han-
key, the Deputy-Governor; " The City Companies,"
which was replied to by Sir John Easthope; " The
Marquis of Dalhousie, Governor-General of India,"
" The Civil Service of India," for which Sir John
Duckworth returned thanks; " The Army of India,"
which was replied to by" General Taylor; and " The
Visitors," for which Sir Thomas M'Mahon returned
thanks.
The company separated about eleven o'clock.