Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-28
CITY INTELLIGENCE.

The CONCERT of the Philharmonic Society, which
takes place at Carusi's Saloon next Tuesday even
ing win afford grand musical treat 70 those lovers
OF melody who may attend. The Society are to be
assisted by New York lady, Mrs. Burns, whose
musical attachments are highly spoken of
Tux ExHIBIrIoS-- Of the most interesting
collections of articles is that of Robert Bates, OF
Philadelphia, who has since invented and patented
three different instruments upon true philosophy
cal principles for the of suffering or STAN
mering. They operate completely, preventing any
spasms of the tongue, lips or throat in uttenng
either the palatal, labal, cultural sounds, and
letting them come from the mouth in pure full vol
ume.
Mr. Bates, having stamnered for thirty years,
Invented these articles for his own benefit, and now
proposes to benefit the world through the inven-
ton.
Nutting's expanding window sash, is also worthy
of attention from the fact that it keeps the window
perfectly tight, preventing the entrance Of the
least ota of dust, or air and is SO arranged as to
stay wherever it is put, with no fastening what
ever, and locks itself when closed. 1t can be Ia
ken out of the window without removing any strap,
intending to build or repair their houses, will have
these sashes Of certainty, if they should once see
them. z. II. y. U. Fitzhugh, are the agents in
this city.
Weaver, in the refreshment room, cuts his big
cake to-day. 1t contains twelve gold rings, and is
sold at fifty cents the pound. The cake weighs
two hundred and fifty pounds and is six and half
feet high. We tasted small piece yesterday, and
can recommend the quality as very rich and nice.
Destructive CoSFLAGRATIoN.--T alarm was
raised about 8 o'clock yesterday afternoon, from
the discovery that the house Of Hon. I. II. Ben
ton, on G, between Third and Four-and-ahaf
streets was on fire, and burning furiously.
The engines hastened to the spot, but could do
nothing against the Roadway Of the flames, con-
filming themselves merely to preserving the neigh
boring houses A high wind prevailed at the time,
and contributed largely to the fury of the fire.
The smoke which arose was forced by the wind
in black dense volume towards the Capitol, which
it shrouded like pail, and formed sublime and
thrilling spectacle.
The house is entirely destroyed, together with
nearly all the furniture, library, wardrobe, and
manuscripts belonging to the whole family. The
loss of the latter is more than can be calculated
The wells and cisterns Of the whole neighbor-
hood were sucked dry in the course Of an hour or
two, and the iremen had the modification Of see
ing property burn down before their eyes, entirely
unable to stop the spread Of the raging element.
This was living argument in favor Of the
water-works, worth volumes of speeches, and we
were glad to perceive number Of members of
Congress on the ground, who could not fail to see
the futile efforts Of the fremen, caused by lack
of water.
Mr. Benton has the following card in the Intel
legencer this morning, which publish as it gives
the origin ofthe fire, about which there has been
great doubt:
CARp-Mr. Benton returns his thanks to his
neighbours the fire companies, and the numerous
citizens who came to the relief Of his house when
on fire yesterday, and who did all that could be
done to arrest the flames, and to save books pa
pers, and furniture; but the mischief was done be-
fore it was known to have began. 1t is now ascer-
tanned that the fire had been going on for days. and
arose from defective chimney in new part of
the building, and had destroyed the contents of the
Office before il was discovered. On Sunday, Mr..
BIS youngest daughter whose room was above his
own, told him that her room sometimes filed
with smoke, which came from no fireplace; but it
did not occur to him that some wooden work COM
municating with the chimney might be in smoth-
cred state of burning. He left his Office at II
o'clock yesterday Tuesday to go to the House of
Representatives carefully putting out the fire,
he always did. An hour after his eldest daughter
was in the Office, and was astonished at the warmth
of the room, seeing that the fire entirely out,
and the day uncommonly cold, but left it, closing
the door,
The first discovery of the fire was from seeing
the smoke issuing from the crevices of the Office
door, and the bedroom door adjoining it. His
eldest daughter and servant opened the door,
but fire and smoke filed both rooms, and they
found the contents in a state of combustion. They
had to retire to their own lives, and some kind
persons who attempted to save the papers we're
scorched and almost suffocated. The great mis-
chief was already done. The house could not DO
saved, but it is consolation that the adjoining
houses Of the neighbors and that of Mrs. Fremont
were preserved. In the name OF his whole family,
Mr. Benton returns thanks to his kind ncighbors
for their offers Of rooms and shelter and for
Portable lodgings Hospitality rendered to him close
by the smoking ruins
ANOTHER FIRE.--A frame building, corner Of
Eighth and d Streets occupied partly as BARRIERS
shop, and owned, we believe, by John Green, was
totally destroyed by fire about ten o'clock this
forenoon. From the smoke which assembled II
was supposed to be very large FIRE, and we are
glad to be able to state this is not the fact sta
BILE adjoining the building was torn down, and
checked the progress in that direction, while the
brick house on Eighth street. also adjoining, suf
fered little or no damage.
MANHATTAN HOTEL, NEw YoRK.-In this age
of tinse and bronze, when solid comfort is too
often made subordinate to outside show, and repu-
tation TO depend upon the verdict Of what called
leaders of fashion, it is quite refreshing to find
among the numerous hotels ofthe commercial en-
porium at least where neatness, good order, a
well furnished table, and, in short all the comforts
Of home are deemed paramount to every other
consideration Such home is the Manhattan, in
Murray street. two doors from Broadway. This
model establishment is under the management of
Messrs. higgins 4 King, the former of whom was
for many years connected with the Pearl street
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