The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-23 00:00:00

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EPINBURGH,
'E. NING,--
That morning trite'
is a clever man, though a treacherous one to his own inhabitants of 'E
b din urgh were throwi into the utmost
party, cannot be denied, and none of his acts prove it alarm and excitement by the news of a su'dden breaking
more than his adjustment of the timber duties; but , out of a terrific conflagration in the Old Grayfriars
the Board of Customs is defeating his object of en- Church. The flames were first discovered about half-
Uotiraging the importation of timber in the built in past nine 'o'clock, shining through one of the windows of
reference
‘tti that dt hdl§ Of O&M; ilk it fidiblilntis the eagterri,gable: Information being immediately corn-
indde ineasuremeni, deals or planks above twenty- municated td the police, die fire,brigatle was on the spot
one feet long pay less duty per load than shorter in little more than a quarter of an hotly afterwards. By
deals, thus sacrificing revenue in a most unnecessary the time they arrived, however, the flames were bursting
manner. I believe an enormous amount of revenue is through the eastern windows with a fury quite uncon-
trollah
le. Unluckily, some time elapsed before water
wasted by the incompetency of the Board in this,
as Well as matiy other matter 6, could be obtained; so that, when the engines (four in
number) were brought into action, the whole of the
I ant, Sir, your most obedient servant, eastern end of the church was enveloped in one huge
W. R. whirling mass of fire. The flames having become visible
from the Castle, a body of the 87th Regiment were
dispatched forthwith to the scene to render what assist •
aance they could in arresting the progress of the fire;
and certainly it is but due to them to say, that they
exerted themselves most strenuously, both in working
the engines and in keeping back the crowds of people
who were every instant collecting in dense masses in the
immediate neighbourhood.
It may be necessary here to explain, that there are
two churches erected on the spot, under the same roof,
which are known by the names of the Old and New
Grayfriars. By half-past ten o'clock the former build-
ing had almost wholly fallen a prey to the devouring
element. As seen from the eastern gate at this moment,
the sight was exceedingly grand and impressive. Look-
ing through the large eastern window, the whole interior
was observed to be illuminated by one unbroken blaze of
fire, and columns of flame were seen shooting up from
various parts of the roof, defying every effort to subdue
their rage; while the crackling noise of the burning
timbers, the fall of broken glass, and the burning rafters,
with the shouts of ' the firemen ever and anon rising
above the din, rendered the scene altogether appalling.
By eleven o'clock the roof had entirely given way,
and almost every portion of the woodwork was con-
sumed. It had been well had the calamity ended
here, but the result was not so fortunate. The
flames had by this time seized upon the roof of the New
Grayfriars, and the efforts of the fire brigade, which
had previously been divided between the two buildings,
were now exclusively directed to the preservation of this
part of the structure alone. We regret to say, however,
that great as these efforts were, they proved altogether
unavailing, and seemed hardly to produce any impres-
sion whatever on the flames, which rather appeared to
increase every moment in volume and rapidity. The
great quantity of old dry timber, comprising the seats
and galleries, may perhaps account for the rapid de-
struction of the edifice ; but be this as it may, by one
o'clock the fire hadmade such progress, both within and
without the building, that all hopes of saving any part
of the two churches, except the bare walls, was aban-
doned.
It being close on the church hour when the flames
were at their height, thousands of people were wending
their way to the different places of public worship ; and
many, either seeing the flames or hearing reports of
the disaster, bent their steps in the direction of the
fire or to elevated spots in the vicinity—such as the
Castle esplanade, Victoria-terrace, and George IV.
bridge, whence a full view could be had of the ter-
rible scene. The appearance of the blazing churches
from these places was exceedingly grand. At one moment
immense volumes of flame were seen bursting forth
from the roof of the devoted edifices, and in another mo-
ment were again obscured by the dense clouds of rolling
smoke, which were created by the action of the water,
now pouring in numerous jets upon the roof. Again the
flames would burst forth, apparently with increased vio-
lence, and again would they be obscured by a cloud of
dusky vapour. Fierce columns of fire also glared through
the different windows ; and had the accident occurred
during the night in place of the day time, the con-
flagration must have presented a scene of terrific splen-
dour. As it was, the sight was a melancholy and im-
pressive one; and nothing but expressions of regret were
heard from every toague on beholding the venerable
structure thus melting into annihilation, and that at a
time when the praise of God was wont to be pealing
through its lofty aisles.
The engines continued to play upon the ruins all the
afternoon, but merely for the purpose of extinguishing
the smouldering embers. Both edifices are thus, we
regret to.say, completely reduced to ruins.
As far as we can learn, the calamity was caused by
the over-heating of the flues of the Old Grayfriars
Church. It is so far fortunate that it did not occur
when the congregation were in church, instead of being
only on their way to it, else the consequences might
have been still more lamentable. It is a no less happy
circumstance that the churches stood in an isolated
position, apart from other buildings, or there would
have been considerable danger of their sharing the same
fate.
It may be proper to add, that the Old Grayfriars
church was erected in the year 1612. ' Oa the 7th of
May, 1718, however, part of the building was blown up
by gunpowder, belonging to the city, which had been
lodged in the steeple. The expense of repairing the
damage was estimated at 6001., and instead of building it
up in its ancient form, it was determined to patch up the
old walls in the best way possible, and, as there was a
want of church accommodation, to erect another edifice
at its west end, which was denominated the New Gray-
friars. This structure was finished in 1721, at an ex-
pense of about 4,0001. Neither of the churches had any
pretensions to architectural beauty, or were the slightest
ornament to the city.
We learn that both buildings were insured, but only
to the extent of 1,0004 each. They were both the pro-
perty of.the cit.), and were occupied by the Establishment.
(From the Caledonian Mercury.)
Yesterday (Sunday) forenoon, one of the most appall-
ing fires took place that has occurred in this city since
the two memorable days in 1824, and which has been
attended with the total destruction of the Grayfriars
churches. The building, which comprises the two
churches called respectively Old and New Grayfriars,
is situate betwixt the Grassmarket and Lauriston, and
was, witk, the exception of the cathedral of Glasgow,
and the Trinity College Church of this,city, the most
ancient place of worship in Scotland, the older portion of
it having been built in 1612, and the remainder in 1719.
The flames were first observed about half-past nine
o'clock by a young woman, daughter of one of the police
night force, named Donald Munro, whose house is at
the entrance to the churchyard, and within a few yards
of the building itself. On observing the fire bursting
out from the east gable window of the church, she im-
mediately called to her father, who was at the time in bed,
who instantly started up, and seeing the serious aspect
of affairs, at once rushed out with nothing on but his
sleeping garments, and proceeded to the police-office and
gave the alarm. Mr. List, of the county, and Sergeant-
Major Kelly, of the city pike; were in 'a few moments
on the ground, and after .:‘,utting the gate, to prevent
the influx of too many people, forthwith sent messengers
to the keeper of the water reservoir, to the military in
the Castle, and to the section-house in Chessels-court,
Canongate, where the unmarried men belonging to the
night force are for mutual convenience domiciled. In a
short time about 30 men arrived from the latter place,
followed by a strong detachment of soldiers from the
Castle. By this time four fire-engines had arrived, and
the hose having been laid to the water-plugs at the Grass-
market, Candlernaker- row, Heriot's Hospital, Park-street,
and George the Fourth-bridge, the engines were manned
by the firemen, and ready for action, but unfortunately, as
we are informed, no supply of water could be obtained
for nearly half an hour, during which the flames spread
through the building with fearful rapidity, and obtained
an ascendancy which, as it ultimately proved, the utmost
exertions of the fire brigade and those who so promptly
assisted them were quite unable to overcome. Within
half an hour after the first alarm, the whale eastern di-
vision of the edifice Kenented one huge mass of flame,
the great abundance and dry condition of the wood
affording fit material for speedy combustion, as was
awfully indicated by•the intense heat which radiated to
a great distance around, and by the incessant crackling,
which, like's continued discharge of musketry, issued
from the scene—as if the furious element, conscious of
its superior power, defying all the ingenious expedients
and persevering efforts 'of man, was determined to pro-
ceed uninterrupted in its career, and had become confi-
dent of its final triumph.
In the meantime the inhabitants of the houses in Can-
dlemaker-row, which form the eastern boundary of the
churchyard, naturally betioming alarmed lest the destruc-
tive element should reach them, began with great expe-
dition to remove their furniture to places of safety, about
seven or eight chimneys of these houses having been in a
short time set on fire by the flying embers. Shortly after
eleven o'clock smoke was observed issuing from the wes-
tern division of the building (New Grayfriars), to which
the fire had communicated along the roof, for although
there was a stone wall dividing the two churches, yet it
appears that it had not been built all the way up to the
roof, but had stopped short some 10 or 12 feet from it,
the remaining portion being composed of lath and plaster
work, through which the flames soon penetrated, and
thus involved the entire building in one terrible con-
flagration.
So rapid had been the progress of the fire, that by half-
past eleven o'clock there was scarcely a part that was not
blazing with the greatest fury, and though a great quan-
tity of water was constantly poured upon it, no visible
effect was produced. After twelve o'clock large portions
of the roof successively fell in with great crashes, sending
forth dense volumes of smoke, illuminated by thousands
of large embers, that shot into the sky, and fell like
burning hail at a great distance from the scene. The
wind being from the south, the Grassmarket in particular
was literally buried with smoke and dust, so much so,
that objects could scarcely be seen at five or six yards'
distance. After three o'clock the combustibles began to
be exhausted, and the flames gradually to decrease, but
it was not until four o'clock that they were got under,
while the engines continued to play until about five o'clock
by which time, though the flames were not altogether
extinguished, all the engines were withdrawn, the danger
being entirely over.
The ruins, as might be expected, present a most me-
lancholy appearance. The walls still remain, and that
part of the roof above the south gallery of New Gray-
friars, as well as a small part above the gallery opposite.
With the exception of these galleries and a part of the
seats in the area, which aro only PartiallY
burned, the whole wooden work has been consumed to o
ashes. Looking from them the scene in that part f
the building is truly desolate and frightful ; the lnter-
stices betwixt the seats are filled with smouldering
utmost
ruins, over which large black beams
lie
ili a
thew
reek, like
confusion, while the pulpit, itself burned to
a calcined mummy, looks down on the gloomy waste b
.
portion of the ywhich it is encompassed. The older p
build-
ing—the part where the fire originated—has suffered
wore severely than .
the .
the other, being, with exception
,of the bare walls, completely annihilated.
The fire originated, we understand, from a stove which
~
"t had been the custom to light on Saturday evenings, in
Order to heat the church before the hours of Divine ser-
vice on the following day. Whether it has been alwAys

-
FRANCE AND OTAHEITE.
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS.
The two following documents have been communi-
cated to the Chambers by the Minister of Marine.
The first relates to the Gambier Islands ; and the
second gives some details respecting the intercourse
established with the chief of Wallis 's Islands :
" NOTE ON THE PRESENT STATE OF THE RELATIONS
OF FRANCE WITH THE CHIEFS AND POPULATION OF
THE GAMBIER ISLANDS.
" The French Catholic missionaries, established for
the last ten years in this little archipelago, have been
fully successful amongst the chiefs and inhabitants,
whom they instruct and direct, without hindrance, in
a course of moral culture, and by the most pacific
means. This state of things, which was perfectly
well known at the departure of Captain Bruat for
Oceania, has caused those islands to be designated, in
the instructions given to that officer, as part of those
over which the Protectorate of France could be most
easily established. It is in consequence of these in-
structions, and on the occasion of the frigate Charte
anchoring at one of those islands, that the captain of
the vessel was present on February 16, 1844, at a
formal declaration made by the principal chiefs, of
their intention to place themselves and their territory
under the protection of the French authority. This
act was not followed by any military occupation, nor
by the installation of any administrative agent. The
French missionary; the Rev. Father Liausie, was
recognised by the head of this little society. The
instructions addressed by Admiral de Mackau to
Governor Bruat, under date of July 16, 1844, formally
recommend him to abstain from all proceedings that
might tend to engage the King's Government farther
than what was already accomplished. Before deciding
on any decisive part with respect to this simple recog-
nition of the French authority in these islands, it
appears indispensable to wait for new reports, and the
conclusion, more or less speedy, of the difficulties
which have arisen in other points. The group of the
Gambier Islands, situated windward of the Society
Archipelago, and possessing a good port, is but thinly
inhabited. The Methodist missionaries have not
attempted to penetrate there, and have left the inha-
bitants wholly to the influence of the French mis-
sionaries."

INTERCOURSE ESTABLISHED WITH THE CHIEFS OF
THE WALLIS ISLANDS.

" In the month of November, 1824, the Embuscade
corvette, Captain Mallet, had to put in to the Wallis
Islands for some pressing repairs, which kept the
vessel for forty days in the principal port of the islands.
There the King and the principal chiefs, having de-
clared that they made a profession of the Catholic
faith, in which they had been instructed by the Rev.
Father Bataillon, Bishop of Enos, and several other
French missionaries residing amongst them, mani-
fested their intention to place themselves under the
protection of our flag. The effects of the great influence
exercised over the inhabitants by our missionaries, to
whom they are entirely devoted, are manifest in this
circumstance. The Rev. Father Bataillon, established
amongst them for seven years, has reaped the happiest
fruits of his apostolic care ; the public morals have
become considerably ameliorated ; polygamy has
ceased, except with two of the chiefs; the population
of the archipelago, composed of 3,000 souls, are re-
markable for their exemplary habits of order and re-
gularity. Captain Mallet, perceiving that the state of
this young society was so satisfactory, concluded with'
the King and the chiefs a treaty—a certain harbour
regulation, having for its object to assume a general
regulation as favourable as possible to the strangers
that should visit the islands, and these regulations
were decided on with the concurrence of the English
and American trading captains, in a meeting held for
the purpose. Nothing exclusively applicable to
French vessels was stipulated in the clauses of these
regulations, and no act of authority to be exer-
cised in the name of France was amongst the
number of the conditions agreed on. Neither
was the national flag raised on any point of this
little archipelago, and Captain Mallet confined himself
to allow the chiefs to display a mixed flag, chosen by
the missionaries, and the colours of which could only
call to mind the fact of the participation of an officer
of the French navy in the manifestations on the part
of the chiefs. The instructions addressed to Captain
Bruat by Admiral Roussin, dated July 20, 1843,
contained, amongst other instructions on this subject,
the following:—' The declarations transmitted by
Captain Mallet imply, on the part of the chiefs, no
alienation of sovereignty. They must not lead us on
to form an establishment in this archipelago, nor even
to engage us to keep up there permanently a vessel of
the State,' &c. In the new instructions sent to Ad-
miral Hamelin on July 16th, 1844, by Admiral de
Alackau, in reference to those just quoted, the Minis-
ter prescribed to restrict still more the protection to
be exercised at these islands, and confined its action
to friendly relations ; to visits which our vessels might
be able to pay them from time to time to support the
moral influence of our missionaries, but without any
active intervention of any kind in the affairs of the
country. Such is the situation of our present rela-
tions with the chiefs of these islands, and such have
been the results that were proved to exist beyond all
possibility of conflicts or difficulties from without,
when the Bucephale corvette put in and remained
there in November and December, 1843."

ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—A vast
number of workmen have been incessantly employed
ever since the close of last season in effecting the most
extensive improvements and alterations in all parts of
the grounds. Nor has the Zoological department been
forgotten. The collection has lately been materially in-
creased. In fact, the ♦isitors to these delightful gardens
will hardly be able to recognise them in their improved
and extended state.

ENTERTAINMENT AT THE MANSION-House.--The
Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress gave a very ele-
gant entertainment to his brother Aldermen and th it
ladies, and to some of the municipal officers and their
ladies, on Tuesday. There were amongst those present,
Aldermen Lucas, Sir Peter Laurie, Farebrother, Kelly,
Wilson, Marshall, Sir John Pirie, Ilumphery, Sir G.
Carrel, Farncemb, Hooper, Wood, Johnson, Challis,
Hughes Hughes, Moon, Hunter, Sidney (Sheriffs), the
Chamberlain, Wm. Masterman, M.P., the City Solicitor,
Mr. Secondary James, Mr. Secondary Potter, the Town
Clerk, the Comptroller, &c., &c. It was a full-dress
party, and all the Aldermen came in their scarlet gowns.
The company assembled in the state drawing rooms, and
went from thence through the saloon to the long par-
lour, in which the dinner was laid out in remarkably
fine style. All the massive gold and silver plate of the
Mansion-house decorated the sideboard, and the great
silver epergne, which was presented by the Board of
Guardians of the City of London Union to the Lord
Mayor, as Chairman of the Board, stood on the middle
of the top cross table. The wines, which were most
abundantly supplied and freely partaken of, were of the
finest description. Tea and coffee were served in the
saloon. The company separated at eleven.
NEW Woltz. ON TUR'KEY.—We are requested to
state that Mr. Colburn, of Great Marlborough-street, has
this day published " Three Years in Constantinople ;
or, Domestic Manners of the Turks," by Charles White,
all
lhe following new booksellers. Mr.
Colburn Esq., 3 vols., with numerous illustrations, price 31s. 6d.
bound,lburn h
whiacsh can now
jnowust p
be had of
f
ss
Hahn-
works :—Travels in Turkey, Egypt, Ebgyyrdts,,,tcheou
Holy
Syria, Nubia, &c., in 18
Hahn, 3 vols., 31s. 6d. bound.-3. Adventures of an
Officer in the Service of Runjeet Singh, by Major Law-
rence, Bengal Artillery, 2 vols., with portraits, 21s.
bound.-4. The Crescent• and the Cross ; or, Romance
and Realities of Eastern Travels, by Eliot Warburton,
Esq., 2 vols., with illustrations, 255. bound.-5. Colonel
Maxwell's Adventures, 2 vols., with portraits, 21s. bound.
HER MAJESTY'S STEAM-VESSEL THUNDERBOLT,
ICHABOE, Nov. 20, 1844. The island of Ichaboe is dis-
appearing fast ; there are at this present moment about
380 vessels here, and arriving five or six of a day, one-
half of which will not get loaded. I should think it will
ruin a great many vessels of 1,000 and 1,500 tons, lying
here—several vessels have been wrecked on the coast
that we have heard of, and been to their assistance, and
we suppose a great many that we have had no intelli-
gence of, except from pieces of wreck and boats having
been seen on the coast by vessels arriving here. We leave
this for the Cape about the Ist or 2d of December. I
hope we may then have a trip to the Mozambique, to
make a little more prize-money.—Devonport Telegraph.
Mr. Dyke, the son of Sir P. 11. Dyke, has been
appointed to the lucrative situation of Queen's Proctor,
vacant liy the demise of Mr. Iltid Nicholl. The annual
average of the present fees of office, on a moderate com-
putation, is 2,000/.—formerly they were much larger.
During the war, when the condemnation of prizes, and
other proceedings connected with international law, to
which the Crown was a party, occupied the Admiralty
Court, the fees of the Crown Proctor have been known to
amount to between 30,0001. and 40,000/.
NARROW ESCAPE FROM SUIYOCATION IN A
SEWER.—On Tuesday three excavators, in the service
of the Commissioners of Sewers for the comity of Surrey,
proceeded down one of the iron gratings facing the Old
King's Head public-house, Blackfriars-road, for the pur-
pose of cleaning out the sower, and when they had gone
about 150 yards, the foul air became so powerful that
they were about to return, but found that it was utterly
impossible. They accordingly called loudly for help,
when, a young man named Maris, a blacksmith, residing
at No. 17, Surrey-row, Blackfriars-road, hearing their
cries for help, very promptly procured a crow-bar, and
dug up the flooring at the end of his back yard and re-
leased the poor fellows, two of whom were quite insen-
sible, but recovered after a short time.