The Sun.
London, England, 1826-10-20 00:00:00

DREADFUL FIRE.

About half-past 11 o'clock on Wednesday night, a fire broke out
in the premises of Mesare. Gill and Co., stationers, Tunbridge
place, Westminster-road. The family which consisted of. Mrs..
Gill, her two sous, a daughter, a servant maid, and two lodgers,
retired to bed about 11 o'clock, and beforethey fell asleep they were
roused front their perilotis situation by the vociferations of a
watchman, who discovered by the smoke that emitted from the
windows, that the under part of the premises was on fire, and
contrived to -force open the door, to facilitate their egression---so
rapid was the ascendancy of the flames, that before they. could
know what was the cause of the tumult, they felt the effects of
the raging element, and 'after much ilifficulty they happily suc-
ceeded in effecting their escape in their night-clothes; after they
bad got out, the entire house was a continued scene of conflagra-
tion, so that it was inconsistent with safety to attempt to rescue
any thing from the Barnes. The Ore-engines were expeditious in
their attendance, but through a deficiency of water, they were
obliged to remain inactive for half an, hour, so that before they
could he put in operation,' the houte:,l,o*reduced to a skeleton ;
the adjoining houses very fpvtoneWstiAtained no injury, their,
being a party wall at both ends. Propo.ify,to a considerable amount
has been consumed, the two lodgers estimate their loss at 8001.,
which consisted of plate, cash, and wearing' apparel. The fur-
niture and stationary had been insured fur ,ite:ii,al");ears, but the
policy expired in June last, and they forgitt,to!;:enew it. The
fire is !mooted to have proceeded front ti#:lo% light which was
in the shop.

--- .
The Russian Meteorolooo announce, that this
year the winter will be,,aikigioo us as that of 1812.
AN AGREZATILEFL64I)-FELLOW.-----A serious
alarm was excited a few nights ago in Cowan-street,
stirling, occasioned by the absence of three very
young children from the paternal roof fbr some hours
after the gloaming. Search 'having been made in all
directions without success, the despairing parents were
upon the point of sending round the drum, for the
.purpose. of advertising them, when fortunately, a little
691.1 happebing to go to a sow-house, immediately
behind the dwelling, with meat to Grumphy, was sur-
Pri.lied at the appearance of something black lying
ded-u in a corner thereof. Having gone and pro-
cured,. alight, she returned with some others, and pro-
, saluted (lint without
0,,00u fear)itodexplore the mystery, was
Inflated them exceedingly !
what aitt„rit s and which
eep -drawn-snore,
'fromsome
Saunde- from the monotonous grunt
&iundeis was in the habit of sending forth, which
mysterious spot—when lot they recovering their mu ' they, however, upon again
. age, cautiously approached to the
discovered the three
l
renegadoes, most lovin 1 locked in
the close embrace
of the said sow, and 'il Yr9ut. fast
asleep --Edinburgh
Evening C
_"ourant. - '
1..,

POLICE IisrkELLIGENCE.
Guthnum.t.—George 211.(Plereen a lad about 15 years
old, was brought np by Lightfoot, the street-keeper of St. Hun-
Mn* Wont Six yesterday, charged with being a com-
mon beggar and vagabond.
The charge was preferred by Mr. Burden, of Norfolk-street,
Strand, who stated, that in the course of last winter he called in
at the Amicable Assurance-office, in Sergeant's-Inn, Fleet-street,
and he found the prisoner there relating his unfortunate situation
to Mr. Pensam, the Secretary. He was moved with the tale,
and gave Mr. Pensam a sum of money, to he given to him in por-
tions. The prisoner represented that he had neither father nor
mother—that he had been sent for,by his uncle from the High-
lands—that his uncle had paid the debt of nature about six weeks
before—and that he was destitute and friendless. lie said he had
been shepherd-boy in Scotland, .1
4aie wished to get back.
Soon after, the prisoner called upon Mr. Pensam, and, stating
that he had obtained a situation on heard ship, said he was in want
of some necessaries, and that he (Mr. Bunion) had bid him men-
tion his name to induce Mr. Pensam to contribute a trifle towards
purchasing what he required. Mr.'Pensain gave him 51., and
he then came to witness, with the none story, stating that Mr.
Pensam had authorised him to mention his name, He said Mr.
Pensam had given him Sc. ; but he wanted Sc. more, to purchase
a hammock. " Well, my poor boy," said Mr. Burdon, " al.
though thou art friendless, thou shalt not want a hammock ;" and
a few days more the prisoner
scoalsledayinaggaliine,giialvaeltiilindateBsHighllnand dress. Ile had then joined
the ship, as he said, and discovered his companions there were
" unco wicked blades ;" but he Was determined to "keep his sel
to his see," and would follow the good path among all tempta-
tions. He said his prayers night and morning, and possessed
a Bible and Prayer-book in the Celtic language. Witness was
delighted with his pious and virtuous resolutions, and im-
pressed upon his mind that if he was a good boy, good would
surely come of it. Several weeks after that he was met in the
streets by one of the clerks in the Amicable-office, and yesterday
witness himself met him in Fleet-street. " Ha! my boy ! What
have you come back again!' said Mr. Bunion. " Yes, Sir,"
said the prisoner. " When did you arrive ?" inquired the former.
" But last week," Raid the buy, " front America." Mr. Burdon
then seized him by the collar, when he confessed he had never been
on board ship in his life, and begged for mercy. Mr. Burdon,
however, gave him into custody, and had him brought at once be-
fore the Alderman.
In the Justice-room he was immediately recognized. One re-
collected he was. before Alderman Waithman in his Mayoralty,
and received ample assistance : another, that be hail obtained a
suit of clothes from Mr. Alexander Fraser, of Lincoln's-inn ;
another, that be had played off the farce of wanting necessaries to
go to sea, and calling to express Isis gratitude for past favours, on
the eve of sailing, upon the respectable house of Borradaile and
Cape, in Cateaton-street; another, that he had been a foot-boy to
a gentleman at Clapton ; and the Alderman himself admitted he
had been his dupe. He ealkil upon him in
his Highland dress,
and said he could not wear the breeks for the life o' hint ; his fa-
ther had never worn any thing but the phillibeg, and he wad na
consent to put on the breeke upon any account. Ile, Sir Peter,
therefore, assured that, in that garb, he would never be able to
earn his bread in London, he gave him some pecuniary assistance,
to assist him back, to Scotland, and he had expected he had ar-
rived there long since. " You remember all this," said Sir Pe-
ter, " I dere say."
Yes, Alderman," replied the prisoner, bowing his head, and
beginning to blubber.
Sir Pexxa.—Did not you tell me you would go back to
Scotland ?
Prisoner—But it was lees, Alderman. (Laughter.) '
Sir PETICR—Is it true you were in service at Clapton, and if
so, how came you to lose your place?
Prisoner—Because I tauld lees. (Laughter.)
Sir Nun said, he could not suffer such a determined young
npostor to go unpunished, and committed him to Bidwell for
4 days.

Thomas Caldwell, a decently-dressed young man, was charged
with attempting to put an eud to his existence by swallowing
poison.
It appeared that he went into the shop of Mr. Rogers, chymist,
at the corner of King-street, Cheapside, on Tuesday evening, and
asked fur a pennyworth of laudanum, describing it by the Latin
name. The assistant gave I.iin half a drachm, which was not

enough to affect any person's life to a dangerous extent. In a few
minute* after, he laid himself down on the pavement, was soon sur-
oumled by a crowd, sod was carried tuCheap watch-house, where
Its at first Isla latloul swallowed IS perioywurth of lataluntum but
alterwartle assurt4 them it will only " a 14114," and was %uttered
to go about his Imainess. *mu kiter, he was founts. lying at a
door in Clicap,ide untl was once more carried to the watch-
house, where he attempted to destroy himself with a pen-knife he
drew from his waistcoat pocket, and that being wrested from him,
he tried the effect of compressing his throat with his bands, and
thrust a pen into his gullet. The stomach-pump was used, and
it was ascertained he had swallowed but a mall quantity of lauda-
num. His conduct, indeed, sufficiently proved he
,was not suffer-
ing front the effects of that poison, finite was in a state of excite-
ment bordering on phreney, and he was conveyed to the Hospital,
where he made another attempt on his life oil Wednesday.
Yesterday his mother was in attendance. She , stated that be
had fallen front a window when young, and severely injured his
head. He had been out of employ some time, and she had sup-
ported him by her earnings as a nurse, at the Stoke Newington
asylum for Invalid Females, instituted by Miss Leicester, and
other ladies of that neighbourhood. She had had some differences
with her son in consequence of his having made away with some
books.

Frederick Gibson, assistant to Mr. Rogers, stated that the
prisoner would not tell who he was ; but said he was known to
Mr. Seaton, a physician in Bridge-street, Westminster. On
applying there, it appeared he bore as indifferent character : be
bad been employed us footman, and was dismissed for drunken-
ness; he hail there purchased crude opium to poison himself, and
had threatened to throw himself out of the window and over the

bridge.
Sir Pares asked the prisoner if he was a 'conscious that tak-
ing his own life away was a great crime, and if he had any thing
to say ?
The prisoner replied only by shaking his head.
Sir Pierza thought this was a proper ease to send to the ses-
sions, and said he should commit the prisoner for the misdemeanor
of attempting to destroy himself.
WOBSIIIP-STREET.—Yesterday an investigation into the
conduct of two watchmen of St. Luke's parish, named Steele
and Cruet, took place before Mr. Bum= and Mr. LAING.
The circumstances in which the charge against them originated
were the following i—On Wednesday, a poor woman, who
lives in Type-etreet, and sells oysters and fruit at the corner of
Chiswell-street, was brought before the sitting Magistrate, charg-
ed with he4ig disorderly, and assaulting the defendant Steele.
When the eireumatanees were explained, however, it appeared,
that on Tuesday night the female and her family were singing and
merry-making at their lodgings in Type-street, which, as the
watchman (Steele) chose to think, was an annoyance to
the neighbourhood. He accordingly went to the house, and
desired them to desist. The female resenting this unwarrant-
able intrusion, pushed him down the door steps, upon which he
sprung his rattle, and brought the defendant (Cruet), another
watelmian, to his assistance, and took the woman to the watch-
house. It was then nearly one o'clock, and the constable of the
night, after hearing the watchman's statement, refused to receive
the charge, and dismissed the parties. Shortly before three
o'clock, however, the. defendants again took the female to the
watch-house, when the charge was booked, and the woman libe-
rated upon bail.
The woman, iu her defence, accused both the defendants of being
drunk at the time.
The two watchmen stoutly denied the charge, and in their turn
retorted the charge of being
drunk upon the night constable,
Clark, a headhorough of the parish,and who had refuXed to re-
ecive their charge.
The watch-house-keeper, Brown, being appealed to, declared
that Clark wan not in the least intoxicated, but having been upon
duty a great many hours, he was fatigued, and had lain down to
take a nap when the charge was brought in by the defendants.
The watchman, Steele, he said, was very tipsy and'very abusive
when his charge was refused the first time. The defendant,
Cruet, was in liquor, but still capable of doing his duty. When
they brought the charge the weand time, it was taken for the pur-
pose of an investigation before the Magistrate.
Yesterday, Brown, the watchhouse-keeper, and Harrison and
Bridges, two headboroughs, attended the examination, and assured
the Magistrates that the constable Clark was not the least in liquor.
A watchman, named Brad, stated on the mutiny, that Clark
was quite drunk, and be admitted Steele was drunk also.
The Magistrates ordered Steele to be suspended for a month, and
severely reprimanded the defendant Cruet.

A German *mist has proposed a means of puri-
fying the infected air at Groningen, of which a trial
and it is said with success. A number
which had been
and then ignAted. previously covered with
pitch and tar, Were }laced in some of the principal
streets,
of faggots,

PUBLIC SALES, OCT. 19.

By Mr. HOGGART, at the Anetion.Mart.—An important
Freehold, and small part Copyhold, Estate, situate in the
parishes of Great and :Little Yeltiliam, Castle Hedingham,
Toppesfield, and Stambourn, Essex, comprising the Manor
of Little Yeldham, with its rights and royalties, also the
fines, quit rents, &c., amounting to 541. 68.8 d. per annum ;
together with six farms, known as Kirby Hall, the POole
Farm, 'Spain's Hall, Little Yeldham Hall, and the Hyde
Farm, each with the requisite farm houses, barns, stabling,
and agricultural buildings, and 1,487 a. 32p. of land, let to
different tenants for seven and five years at rents amount-
ing to 1,7041. 16s. Bd. per annum, landC tax redeemed,
timber to be taken at a valuation, outgoings upon the
estate, 50a. being copyhold, 4/. Os. 7d. a year—knocked
down at 44,3001. A Freehold, and small part Copyhold,
Estate, known as Gunsey'a and Boreley's Farms, near the
preceding lot, comprising two farm houses, barns, stables,
and cut-buildings, and 301 a. 3r. 28p., let for five years, at
3421.,ver annum, quit rents, 19s. Bd. a year-8,400/. A
Leasehold Mansion, known as Shrewsbury House, on
Shooter's-hill, wills lawn, garden, pleasure grounds, fish
ponds, &c., detached offices of every .description, a farm
yard, and buildings, and 60a. of pasture and arable land,
held under Earl Shrewsbury for twenty years and a half,
at 62/. a-year, and 30/. for one quarter additional; also
Sixty Acres of Land adjoining, held for nearly three years,
at 601. for the first two years and three quarters, and
11/. 13s. for the last two months, fixtures to be taken at a
valuation-3,490/.
Messrs. MUNN and CURTlR.—Lensehold Premises, com-
prising a house with doubled fronted shop, counting-house,
stable, and buildings, With three acres of land, part of a
nursery. ground, and stocked with shrubs, situate in Mile-
end-road, held for ten years, at 31/. 10s. per annum ; fix-
tures, and part of the plants, to be taken at a valuation, as
also in the following lots-250/. A Field adjoining, con-
taining 3a. 2r. planted with trained trees, held for 271
years, at 361. per annum---6901. Six Leasehold Houses,
Nos. 1 to 6, Capland-street, Lisson-grove, let, and of the
estimated annual value of 105/. held for ninety-nine years,
from Christmas, 1822, at ground-rents amounting to 28/.
per annum-6551.
Mr. STANTON.—A Leasehold Estate on the east side
of St. John-street, Clerkenwell, comprising a house and
shop, the corner of Wilderness-row, a public-house, known
as the Red Lion and Punch-bowl, a house adjoining, with
a yard behind, containing a cottage, stables, standing for
carts, and waggons, a warehouse and .buildings' also a
china-shop and 'warehouse, a yard and premises behind,
and four houses In Wilderness-row-7,8201.

Messrs. DAWSON and CAFE, at Garraway's.—Two
Leasehold Houses, No. 12, Foley-place, and No. 1,
George-street, Portland-street, let for twenty-nine 'years,
at 1904, held for thirty years, from 1822, at 100/. per
annum-2804 A Leasehold House and shop, No. 23,
opposite the Horse Barracks at Knightsbridge, held for
thirty-six years, at a ground-rent of ten guineas-4001.
A Ditto, No. 52, King's-road, one door from Sloane-
square, held for 44 years, at a ground-rent of 5/. let at
32/. per annum--3301.