Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-11-27

~ f@-sto
Westminster Bridge, you could not catch a
glimpse OF the IRE IN detail; you had onl,
before you the certainty that the Ere was OF
greater magnitude than usual, but Of its mil,
chievous shape and its real extent you could
form no conception.
Wsstminster Bridge, covered ~ il was
with indiv iduais, standing on its baIustr ade,
was curious spectacle, ~ The dark masse.
OF individuals formed Q striking contrast
10 The clean white stone Of which IL 10 built.
and which stood veil aud boldly in the clear
moonlight As you approached the bridge,
you caught q sight through its archie. of n
motley multitude on The strand below the
speakers garden, and gazing with intense
esgcrnes, on the progress Of the flames
Above them were seen the dark cap. Of the
fusileer Guards, who were stationed IN the
garden itself. To prevent the approach OF un-
welcome intruders. Advancing still nearer
every branch aud fibre of the trees which
are m front Of the House Of Commons, be-
came clearly defined IN the overpowerinr
orillianee Of the conHagraiion. As soon a.
you shot through the bridge, the whole Of
the melancholy spectacle stood before you.
From the new pile Of buildings. in which
are Parliament Offices, dow To the end Of the
speakers house, the flames were shooting
last and furious through every window. The
- ''@'- 10y uousts VI tue OF
Commons, and Of the Spesker's house, had
already fallen in. and as far as they were
concerned. was quite evident that the con-
migration had done its worst. The tower,
between these buildings aud the Jerusalem
Chamber, was aiight on every floor The
ROOT had partially fallen in, but had not vet
broken clean through the fioor,. The raj.
tiers were all blazing, and, from the volume
of flame which they vomited forth through
the broken easements, great fears were en-
tertained for the safety OF the other tene-
ments OF Cotton Garden. The fire, crack
ling and rustlng ~ il went along, soon de-
voured all the interior Of this tower, which
contained, We believe, the library OF the
House Of Commons. By IL O'Clock, u was
reduced TO a mere shell, illumin ated. how
ever. from its base to its summit, in the most
bright and glowing tiois Of fame. The two
oricl windows, which 'front.' j the river, ap-
peared to have their frame works Tringed
with innumerable sparkles of lighted gas.
and as those frame-works ielded before the
violence Of the hre, seemed 10 open a Gle ar
passage right through the edifce for the de-
structive element. Above tho upper win
dow was \ strong beam Of wood burning
hercely from end 10 end. IL was eyIdentI,
the main support Of the upper part Of the
building, and rs the beam Was certain to be
reduced IN short time TO ashes, spprehen-
sions were entertained Of the speedy fall Of
The whole edihce. At this time the voices
Of the hremen were distinctly heard preach
ing caution, and their shapes we're indis,ioct
" seen in the lurid light fitting about in
the most dangerous situations.
simultaneously were heard, in other parts
OF the frontage 10 the river, the smashing Of
windows, the battering down OF wooden par
titions. and the heavy chatter Of the falling
bricks, all evidently displaced for the purpose
OF stopping the advance Of the flames. The
engines ceased to play on the premises whose
destruction was Inevitable, and poured their
discharge upon the neighboring houses which
we're yet uuseathed. A little after ~ O'Clock
the library tower fell inward with 4 DIRE adfuI
crash, and shortly sfterw ards the fame as il
It had received fresh siipent. darted up in
one startling blaze, which was almost imme.
diately Quenched in dense column Of the
black smoke. AZ soon as the smoke cleared
away, the destructive rsvages Of the fire be-
came more evident. Through Q vista Of fla
ming walls you beheld the abbey frow ming in
melancholy pride over its defaced and shat
tered neighbors. AZ far ss you Judge from
The river, the work Of ruin was accompItsh-
ed but too efeciually IN the Parliamentary
buildings which skirt its shores.
The appearance Of the FIRE from the corner
OF Abingdon street was also exceedingly stri-
king. For length Of time the exertIons of
the hremen appeared to be principally direct.
ed to save that part OF the House or Lord,
which consisted Of the tower that rose above
the portico. All the rest Of the line OF build
inga wSs envelopsd in flames which had ex-
tended themselves along the whole Except
the ~ings) OF that part Of the adj AGENT buiid
ing 60 the loft hat front Abingdon street. and
the upper stories Of which were committee
rooms; while at the basement we're the stone
steps leading 20 the House of Commous.-
The wing Of this building, however, which
rose nigh above the rest, the upper part be ing
portion Of DellsmyS, and tho lover being
used IS receptacle Of great coats, &c. OF
members Of the House Of Commons, was for
some time, like the tower above the portico
at the entrance OF the House Of Lords, but
slightly injured by the flames, and these two
objects seeming TO bound the rsvsges Of the
hfe and TO oder successful resistance TO It's
further progres IS, ~ bile ell between them was
IN one uninterrupted blaze, attracted univer-
sci sttsptiOe. The flames did not, 10 fact,
extend beyond those two points, but seemed
TO exhaust themselves IN the destruction Of
ihem.-They took FIRE nearly ct the same
noment, aad burning fuFiovsly for hall an
hour, the whole structure from the entrance
OF the Commons 10 the entrances Of The House
OF Lords, presented one bright sheet Of fame
AZ length The roofs and ceilings gave way,
and Ubenihe smoke apd sparks that followed
the crash Of the heavy burning mass that fell
had cleared away, nOthing met the eye but
an unsightly rum tinted With the dark red
glare reflected from the smOuldsriBg smber.
al iis feet.
iiab past tisO s'cIsek.-Wsslmin,tsr hall
v, We th'nk, quite safe. The Ere stiIl burn,
tur'ousiJ among the ruins u has made, but
ils power 10 do further mischief appears 10
have ceased; n ~ eon6Bed Rithin the hmits
Of the walls Of the two houses already des-
iroyed. Fresh engines end fresh supplies 81
men are coming 10 the scene Of devastation
aud q continual roll of WstsF is shouersd
upon the ruins but oar ordinary engines ere
totally incapable u eontending uith such 81
coBhagFaiiOu, end our engine system wants
the great element of saic isnsy-a general
superintendent. Zach 6re-ofiice acts accord.
log 10 iis own Viss there 10 90 obedience 20
one shIof, and constqnenily, where the con-
p'etss, cooperation 70 necesssfy, All - con