The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-01
City Intelligence.


APRIL-FooL DAr.-The month Of April, OF which this
IL the first day consecrated to All Fools" derives its
because the earth in this month, begins to open
her bosom for the production Of flowers fruits, ana
vegetables. 1t is in this month that the feathered
songstcrs make every copse, and tree, and bush
vocal with their melody The first Of April is called
Aprool day from the practice Of playing jokes and de-
captions upon children, simple people The custom
prevails in England Ireland Scotland France, and also
in this country The French call thcoo poisson d.49iL
name which they also give to the mackerel, silly fish
that easily caught in large numbers during this season
In England the custom Is probably borrowed from
France 1t cannot events be very old there, as
writer so far back as the time Of Queen Elizabeth
mention of it, Scotland it is termed hunting the
gowkr and applied to simpcton who is sent on pre-
tended errand with letter, in which is written
ION the first day Of April
Hunt the gowk another mile
No doubt the number Of practical jokes played on the
unwary to-day, in New York will be worry considerable,
Among the ancient Romans, day Is marked in their
calendar as dedicated to foolsdes stnorum Once every
year festival held in honor Of the goddess Fornax
who taught the mystery Of making bread On the day
Of celebration tablets suspended round the forum,
directing the people TO what temples they to repair
and the joke consisted in calling those persons fools who
could not read the labels and who therefore,
vented resorting the place of entertainment till
1t was too late TO stivy All nations ought
to have particular period dedicated to fools the
great mass Of mankind can sympathize with It's obser-
seeing that We have all touch Of the same"
No FrcHr, AFTER ALI, BETWEEN HYER AND GoopERsos.-
Last evening pursuant Mr. Goodersons acceptance Of
the challenge of Mr. liver the latter accompanied by his
friends proceeded to No City Hall square. when Mr.
Hyer said he had according to the acceptance Of his
challenge by Mr. Goodrson arrange the prelimnsries
for the hight for 5000 dollars each side and he
ready now to put down $500 or 81 600 forfeit Mr.
Gooderson stated that his friends had not yet
to the mark but that he was willing to fight for 800
most Of which his own money. Mr. Hyer replied
that he would fight for less than the terms of the
challenge-s5ooo Mr.. Gooderson's friends then said
that they would make 1t $4,000 with the privilege Of
raising five if they could Mr. liver still persisted
In refusing to fight for less than 5000 lie said he did
not intend in the first instance to challenge any Ameri-
can Ills challenge was intended for Upton Sasher;
and ii there friend Of sasher there he ready
TO put up 81 900 to fight him for $4,000 side II Mr.
Goodcrson did not agree 10 the amount Of money he
would not fight any American any terms, after that
night; but he ready for Upton Sasher any Eng
lishman Captain Rynders, who appeared IS a peace
maker then said they both Americans, and that
they ought not TO fight and he suggested they should
shake hands and drown all bad feeling in bumper of
champagne which accordingly done and the parties
separated apparently good friends
DysTRrcrrE FIRE IN BEEKsA~ srREEr.-Last evening.
at eight o'clock destructive fire broke out in the four
story bakery and cracker establishment Of Treadwel
johnson in Beekman street north side between Pearl and
Water The fire originated in the upper part Of
building No 10. and rapidly spreading it, commu
nicated with No los side and No liz on the other
the three buildings belonging to the firm and con-
shutting establishment The flames burst forth with
suddenncss and energy very unusual for in few mi
nuies after the fire first discovered the whole building
appeared to be wrapped In sheet Of fame while the
dark curling smoke surged aoft and presented specta
Gle Of great grandeur The combustble nature Of the
teral and the dryness of the wood work from being
old, and being bakery doubt contributed to has
ten the connsgraon The fremcn we're present great
force engines, hose carts and hooks and ladders well
manned from all quarters besides immense multitude
attracted by the flames Owing to the narrownes OF the
the efforts Of the frcmen not effective
otherwise they would have been but they made up for
this disadvantage by vigorous well directed efforts Seven
eight streams played with full fierce upon the burning
from below while the remen assembled the joining
buildings by means Of their ladders with the hose
for the purpose Of directing the upon the flames be-
meath and with hatchet to cut away the woodwork
wherever 1t was practicable. Notwithstanding these
labors the flames still gained strength, till at o'clock,
they majesticay the roof and the utmost that
the firemen could do confine the devouring
element TO the three buildings which had already become
it. prey This they accomplished and at half past ten
O'Clock the fire had burned its last The total damage,
between buildings and stock l. about $4,000 the whole
OF which II covered by insurance. The insurance o.
Tresdwcll and johnson Is about $4,000 which l. about
the amount Of their loss The books and some Of the
stock in the lower part Of the buildings saved The
Chief Engineer the Chief Of Police Captain Leonard Of
the Second ward with his police; also the captains and
police Of the first and fourth wards were in attend
ance, and rendered every assistance The hremen de-
much credit for their exertons though from cir
cumstances which they had control they were
only partially successful.
TnE Forry-sEooSp sTREET.-Yesterday forenoon. at
O'Clock. Of range q about twelve three story
buildings In FOrty-second street between Ninth and
Tenth avenues was discovered be FIRE in the
rooms II the second story The alarm being given the
members of No engine and Of No. hook and ladder,
were promptly In attendance, and extinguished the
flames with but trfing damage IL will be recollected
that these the houses upon charge OF conspring
FIRE to which three four months ago, q. selby
West the Of the buildings. arrested in conse
qucnce Of n man who alleged that Mr.. West had pro-
mircd TO pay him handsomely II he would burn them,
going TO the insurance ONCE aud giving them informa-
ton--Mr West being insured for 100000 IL was al
legged that the Of producing the conagraton was
quantity ~ varni.h owned by Mr. West. who Ia manu-
facturer u that article The matter came to trial
the magistrate deenng the testimony Insufficient The
origin ofthe FIRE yesterday has not been ascertained
fPg A CorsEcTIoSAEY SToRE-SUsrEcrED IScES-
niAnisM-At IL o'clock sunday, fire discovered
in the basement q the confectionery store No. li6
Eighth avenue. They succeeded in extingushiug the
same, with trfing damage The members Of Engine
Company No 10 were promptly on the spot. There Is
little doubt that incendiarism contemplated.
A~pscus ESefNr CoNPsSY No. o, proceeded yesterday
Baltimore. a visit 10 the hremen ~ that city
Their apparatus Il the hand-omet at present in this
city. and has very good paintings the sides.
They numbered sixty -four and are very Tine set
a men Their uniform consists Of fire cap brown FIRE
and pants aud red shirt They passed the IErad
ofhce In the morning. accompanied by Dod~orths Cor
net Band Mr. william Tweed Il foreman Of the company
THF posT orsIcr keeps open until o'clock, on and
after the LIT Of April-to-day.