Star.
London, England, 1803-07-11 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

On Saturday, about two o'clock, an accident hap-
pened, which, for a time, threatened the denruetion
of that magnificent and venerable nruaure Wellmin-
ner Abbey. The fquare tower, in the centre of the
crofs stifles, over that part of the choir which is be-
tween the pulpit and the altar, was difeovered to be
in flames ; this part of the roof, which is flat, fop.
ported by braces of timber and plainer, moll curi-
oufly gilt, was in a Short time in a blaze. From the
great height it was importible to carry water fpeedily
to it; to obviate this difficulty the foldiers and vo-
lunteers ranged themfelves from the Abbey to the
water-fide, and a number of buckets were procured,
which they filled, and handed from one to another,
and afterwards railed to the top by means of ropes.
The fall of the melted lead, and of the half-burnt
timber, was mon tremendous, and would icon have
laid the whole choir in antes but for the exertions of
the engines, which arrived in time to play upon and
extinguifh the burning wood as it fell, and, we are
happy to nate, that the organ and the choir, between
it and the pulpit, and the monuments in general,
have efcaped with very little damage, except what the
water from the engines may effect. We were con.
cerned to obferve the fad and rapid effe& of the tor-
rents of water which the engines. Rationed without
to fupply thole within, occafioned to the floor, which
was prefently funk a font or more over a confidera-
ble part of the crofs a;fles, an I even in the nave, the
Sandy foil in whiCh the bodies are interred, from ne-
*lrer having been wetted for centuries, fettled fo much,
that it will be well if fome of the piers, z-,ainfl which
deep graves have been conflrueled, do not fettle and
damage many parts of this fine and venerable build-
ins. The tremendous fall of the burning wood and
materials, the Ipud and confided noife of the engines
and people, amida the monuments of mortality which
we have been fo long accunomed to contemplate in
'Hence, excited the mon uncommon and awful ideas.
Detachments of horfe and foot foldiers were timely
ordered out, and kept the avenues clear ; and the St.
Margaret's and St. John's Affociation were muttered,
and did duty at the doors and withinfide the church ;
they were of the mon effential fervice, in preferring
the monuments from damage, by perfons preffing
again( or climbing on them.
By fix o'clock the fire was completely extingniflied,
without extending to any other part of the roof or
building, except the top of the tower in which it be-
gan. We "were much furprifed to obferve, that none
of the large timbers which fell, frock the Screens
which part the choir from the croft aifles, and they re-
Ermined to the lag nearly unhurt. One of the fire-
men had a narrow efcape of a fall from the top of the
tower, as he was employed with a hook detaching the
burning wood. The flames attended a great height
above the tower, and form attrafted the notice of
Speetators in every part of the town.
Among thole who (hewed the greaten interen
were thel)uke of You, who rode down from the
Horfe Guards, dimounted in King-fhtect, and en-
scrod the Abbey, encouraging the firemen to exert
thetnfelves. Prince WILLIAM of Gsnuctisr ea was
alto a witnefs of the conflagration. He went into the
Abbey by the Poets' corner, and remained fome
time. We were Aft) extremely happy to fee fome of
the moll diningnifhed Members of Parliament taking
the lead, and daring all the dangers and difficulties
of the firemen in their endeavours: among them Mr.
Wtamism was peculiarly confpicneus. Nothing
&aped him; and his albeit), was fuels. that one could
hardly diningnifh his clothes from thole of a common
labourer after the bottle was over, in confequente of
his aaive exertions. Lord Werrianassuo, the
Loan Comics LLOIty and the Dukes of Gsoncssrta
'and Noeroxt litewife attended.
This accident, by which one of the mon magni-
ficent nrultures in the kingdom was expofed to de.
llruttion, arofe, it is believed, from the negligence of
the plumbers leaving their kettles on the fire while
they went to dinner. It is thameful that pains are
not taken to prevent fuch mifchief. The church of
fit. Paul's, Covent Garden, and the roofs of Norwich
and another cathedral, the name of which we do not
110 w recollea, were deflroyed within there few years
by fimilar negligence. Thole whole bufinefs it is to
Superintend the repairs of fuch monuments of anti.
(luny as Wenmintler Abbey ought to flipulate with
the contraflors that every precautiou (hould be taken
to guard againflfuch accidents.
The fellows who left the fire on the roof ought to
be tried for arfun. It may be urged that it was but
an *widens : we (hall only obferve that &mild a Jury
i etrihwt find
lar Itnhem
abiegfuhilatpy the crime,
peninfoe
Pear fim ata lewfl a
eneed
cen-
tury to cost.

Iterday his Mettler and the Prineeffes Auctts-
TAk Maar. and SCIPPIII, walked from St. George's
Chapel. Her Royal Highnefs the Printers Asietsa
is indifpofed.
The New York papers (to the 4th of Jntie inclo-
Eve) mention the terms on which Loniflana has been
ceded by France to America. The United States,
we naderfland. are to liquidate all the claims prefer.
triby AmerfuesCitimisaagaielk the French Republic
for OPolistidos. frt. daring &aka war. and are to pay
a further rum of three maim of dollars to France.
The Blacks appear to be is a Ram of lansveltion
in the Southern parts of America. 'The New Tort
Gazette of the 3d ult. mentions the receipt et a ma
from a Gentleman in Warrington, North Ceredeet
which rays. " the nerves role in this town la* eight.
and made great havoc—we had to d y I"
The leak Jamaica lettm bring accounts from St.
Domingo to the tyth of May. By there it appears'
that Come frigates had failed from the Cape, on their
return to France ; bet they do not mention that the
hips of the line have left the Wand. Two large (kips
were blocked tip at the Cape by the CUM/ AAAAA o
and another of our treffels. The CoLIAIf, TallSe vs.
and Vaacr attn. were watching an equal number of
!hips at Aus Cayes.
Some letters by the Jamaica mail, Rate. that the
French have evacuated St. Domingo, and that the
remnant of their troops have been fent to Porto Rico.
Their (hips of the line are gone to North America.
Captain DWTia. of the Britillt feint:met Thomas.
efcaped from Martinique on the 7th of May, ten chi% s
after the embargo had been imputed there on Englilll
rellels ; and reports that Vtt.i.aasr Patois, the
Captain General of Martinique, had been recalled.
.ud on the s4rh of April faikd on board a fhip of war
f-r France. Parma Bee eviler% who cosnmands a
-.aimed brig, accompanied him.