Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-03-05

and on suggestion By some gentleman present Sc
vera engines were ordered to be drawn up opposite
Sweetng D alley. On this being done the hos were
conveyed to the tops of the houses on the east side
of the alley which 10 very narrow one by which
means the freReH had perfect command over that
portion of the Exchange, and torrents of water
discharged into the interer OF the building but not
withstandng all their efforts, the flames rapidly
tended, and the fremen were obliged to retreat in
sequence of the great heat. the persons employed
at the engines worked to their utmost many OF them
up to their knees in water and ice, and they were
encouraged in their efforts by the Lord Mayor and Al
dermen present. but unfortunately no one thought OF
obtaining any refreshment for the poor fellows Tho
fremens coats were covered with les and the whole
Of Mansion house street. Walbrook, Bucklersbury
and every thoroughfare in the vicinity OF the Exchange
was covered with water which soon became frozen
The Gresham Lecture-roOm was totally consumed.
At half past three the north west and south sides
OF the immense building were burnt down, and the
flames had reached the east, threatening the entire
destruction of the range of shops and dwelling
houses connected with the Exchange and forming
the west side of Swsetng's alley. The inhabitants,
on both sides Of this court succeeded In remo-
wing the greater porusn of their furniture and stock
in trade before the flames reached the alley and
goods TO the amount of t5o, GOO were deposited in
places of safety bat good deal of heavy furniture
could not be got out of the houses and was saerf-
ced At four o'clock the fire still burning with
undated fury. The wind, which was blowing fresh
all the night, had increased almost TO tempest and
naming wing the east shared the fate of the Others
and with it the houses and shops in Sweetngs alley
forming part of the main building. The fremsn again
get to the roofs of the houses the opposite side
of Sweetngs alley, with their hose and branch pipes
connected with eight powerful engines, and directed
apeRtful supply of water over the shops and houses
below them, by which they were kept cosl and pre-
vented from ignting. The eastern wing of the Ex-
change like the others was soon reduced TO heap
of ruins the fam:s spreading from floor to foer,
and from story to the other. The roaring of the
elements, the falling OF huge timber and the noise of
the engines occasionally interminged with the shouts
OF the hremen and ASSISTANTS was almost deafenHg.
The fremen never tagged in their efforts from the
commencement of the fire; bat in valn-the Ex-
change no longer exlsts-it is entirely destroyed.
The walls in the interior Of the Exchange fell with
tremendous crash, carrying away with them the
numerous statues of the Kings and Queens who have
regned in England from the time of William the Con-
queror. The shell of the lofty tower still remains,
but it is feared that it will fall and should it come
down In the direction of the houses opposite on Corr
hull the destruction Of property will be fearal. II Is
but right 10 state that every precaution has already
been taken by the city authorities, and no one is al
lowed TO pass along Cornhll. AT o'clock the fire
was still raging but all apprehension Of danger TO
the surrounding buildings was at an end The works
OF several engines at this hour were so cogeed by
the frost that il was impossible TO work them
Crowds Of persons assembled in all parts Of the
city. and nothing else is talked of bur the destruction
of the Royal Exchange. The shops of the news
agents and booksellers aid the Offices of the stock
brokers are consumed. Several accidents occurred
during the fire, and one man, who received very
we're injuries by the falling of chimney at the south
west angle Of the building, was removed 10 the hosp
tai. Serious as the loss of this noble building must
be TO merchants and citizens, and the nation al
large, the interruption the dreadful calamity must &C.
casisn to business will be ten times more All the
books and papers connected with Lloyds, the Royal
Assurance and other mercantile compa-
MES are, with few excepuons, destroyed. The tho
lt.c
necessarily be closed, and great many business
will be suspended There ne cacula-
ting the great Inconvenience which must be the re-
suit Of this event. far business is concerned and
the merchants and traders will for time be deprived
of their old meeting place.
The regulations of the police for the protection of
the engines most excellent Every thing presents
one massof destruction. The Clock -tower-the only
Gus appearance, the greater part of the interior fsun
daton of which 10 burned away. The pillars sup
porting the cupola of the tower half destroyed.
Many OF the merchants carrying on business in the
different apartments ofthe Exchange have lost every
thing Many Of them residing in the country, deli
cacy entertained in breaking open their apart
meRts, in order to save their property. The fire
Is supposed TO have originated in the kitchen at
Lloyd's. All business in the City seems al COM
pete stand STILL and nothing is talked about bat the
fire aud It's origin. Ii was an unfortunate crcum-
stance that the who has the keys of the gates Of
the Royal Exchange lives al Greenwich, which pre-
vented, for some time the engines getting into the
Change. Up 10 the present hour we dc not hear Of
any lives being lost.
The accounts Of the English revenue for the quar-
ter ending the first week January, showed an ex-
cess over the last quarter of f2l3o00 On the year
there was dnnution Of El 900 900; the deficiency
was IN the excise, and augmentation in the customs.
This is not at all surprising when we consider the
commercial crisis through which England has jsst
passed, while the Improvement in the last quarter
sho VS. thatit is surmounted.
The diminution of trade IN the port OF London IN
1897 10 shswn BY the fact that during the six last
months of that year 800 loaded vessels from foreign
ports of the tonnage Of e5, 299 entered the London
docks. In the corresponding period of 1886, sos
sells Of 9S, ol6 tons enered-the diminution in 1887,
therefore, is l2,4l7.
The gossip about Queen Victoria and Lord Elphin-
stone, Is stated TO have been well founded once bat
quite lnspplicable now. Absence has done It's work.
BURNING PALACE At ST. PErERsBuRcH.
On the 30th December last the imperial winter pa
lace al ST. Petersbureh, then occupied by the Empe
ror and his family was burned. The cause Of this
coniasration had not been discovered. The emperor
assisted person stop the progress Of the flames
but in vain. The magnificent and beautiful building
called the Hermitage, adjoining, was partially pre-
served. The winter palace was built by Count Ras
treli about 80 years ago. in the early part Of the
reign Of the Empress Elizabeth, grand daughter Of
Peter the Great.
The winter has been colder in ST. Petersburgh du-
ring the last season, than any former year. The
municatons with the interior of the empire are much
retarded by the scanty fall Of snow.
The loss occasioned by the fire al ST. Petersburgh
10 estimated at l25 millions of francs. A splendid