The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-17 00:00:00

GREAT FIRE IN TURKEY.

One-half of the town of the Dardanelles has been de-
stroyed by fire. At half-past eleven A.M. of the 25th October
the fire commenced in the Greek quarter, a gale of wind
from the north- east blowing at the time. Although it was
so early in the day, and 2,000 Turkish troops, with twelve
fire-engines, were on the spot as soon as the alarm was
given, it was impossible to stop the ravages of the all-con-
suming element, and twenty houses were destroyed before
any efficacious aid was given. Much might have been done
had the engines been in good order ; but, owing to the
gross neglect of Ibrahim Pacha, the governor of the town,
not one of them could be made to work. Had it not been
for the assistance of two Turkish Colonels with a handful of
soldiers, and the European residents, who occupied them-
selves in pulling down houses, and regulating the scanty
supply of water, the fire would never have been arrested in
its progress. The presence of the Pacha was of little use, as
his commands being enforced by the whip, no one would
work with good will. This terrible fire was not subdued until
half-past two A.M. of the 27th, having lasted 39 hours. The
Whole of the Greek and Jewish quarters, with the exception
of about 40 houses, one-half of the Armenian quarter, about
100 Turkish houses, three mosques, a synagogue, 100 shops,
and a large bath, have fallen a prey to the flames. At least
600 houses have been destroyed, and as in many of them four
to five females lived together, there are about 1,200 families
without a home. Of this number, one-half have taken
refuge in the barracks and two adjoining villages, 300
have found an asylum in the remaining part of the
town, and the rest are exposed to the inclemency of
the weather, or are sheltered for the time being in tents,
The misery is very great, and the winter approaching. A sub-
scription was immediately set on foot by those who were
fortunate in escaping, but will afford only a temporary relief,
as most of the families have been rendered completely desti-
tute. It is to be hoped that the Sultan will send succour
before long, and that charitably disposed persons will be in-
duced to raise contributions in Constantinople, and in dif-
ferent parts of Europe, for the relief of the poor people.
These evil consequences might have been avoided had
Ibrahim Pacha paid attention in time to the earnest and often
repeated requests of the consuls that the fire-engines in his
charge should be kept in good order andfrequently exercised.
All classes of people regretted the unavoidable absence at the
capital of the military commandant, Thussein Pacha, and
there is but little doubt that, had he been present, under his
able management, added to their veneration for his estimable
qualities, his commands would have been obeyed with
alacrity, and the fire would never have made such awful
ravages.

RAMSGATE.—The immense quantity of herrings
caught here within the last few days has exceeded all former
herring catches on, this coast.
Government has determined upon making a great
harbour of refuge at Dover, and the works will be commenced
at an early period.
VICTORIA. PARE.--The operations for the forma-
tion of the new park may be considered at an end for the
present season, and much disappointment is manifested that
planting has not been commenced. The operations of the
year have, however, been extended to the completion of the
park palings and iron railing, to the erection of a neat and
commodious lodge entrance from Bishop Bonner's fields,
whilst the handsome bridge adjacent is nearly finished.
SEIZURE FOR EASTER DUES AT NETHERTON.-011
Wednesday last the agent of the Rev. Lewis Jones, Vicar of
Almondbury, made a seizure upon the property of John
Beaumont, of Netherton, bv trade a weaver, having a family
of seven children, but whit, it appears, had for conscience-
sake refused to pay the sum of Is. 71 due to this functionary
for Easter-offerings. The original demand bad augmented
to 155., in consequence of expenses; to meet which four
chairs, valued at 165., and the poor man's Bible, were taken
away from him. To show a contrast between the spiritual
and temporal officers of the Church, we may mention that
this type of apostolical succession was engaged at the same
time the officer was conveying Beaumont's goods away, in
assisting the Bishop of Ripon at the consecration of the new
church of St. Luke's, Milnsbridge.
THE WATCH TRADE.—In the table of restrictions
and prohibitions with respect to the exportation of goods and
merchandise from any part of the United Kingdom to foreign
parts, set forth in the 104th section of the Regnlation Act, of
the 3d and 4th 'William IV., cap 52, the provisions of which
are re-enacted in the Bth and 9th Vic., cap. 86, of the past
session, clocks and watches, that is to say, any outward or
inward box, case, or dial plate of any metal, without the
movement in or with such box, case, or dial plate, in every
instance, made up fit for use, with the clock or watch maker's
name engraven thereon, in a legible and permanent manner,
are prohibited to be so exported from the United Kingdom ;
and by the 31st section of the Act of the 3d and 4th William
IV., cap. 53, re-enacted, in the 32d section of the Bth and
9th Vic., cap. 87, of the past session, any goods prohibited to
be exported, which shall be brought to any wharf, quay, or
other place for shipment, are forfeited.