Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-04-20
House Burning.
A travelling agent of the treasury depart ment, in a report to the late secretary (hon. MT Guthrie ) dated Nov. 6, 1855, makes the fol-

A travelling agent of the treasury depart meDt in repor, to the late secretary, (Iion. Mir Guthrie.) dated Nov. 6, 1855, makes the foi- lowing remarks:
 aRacklessness in regard to fire is one of our national characteristics. In almost every town I have been in have seen marks of, or heard Inf inc terrible deyastaions made by fire. Oar domestic architecture is light and elegant; but much of it is little better than fuel for the flames. We burn mp more property annually than all other civilized nations put together"
 One might be almost tempted to think that this travelling agent of the treasury department, had. among other places visited Little Rock Nearly opposite the Presbyterian Church, there are some very picturesque ruins; and any anti ausrian who will push his researches up Main street, may discover others. The plot Of ground opposite the Dawson House, though now partially built upon, Is still known as the burnt district And, according to traditions received from the elders, great dectructions have been caased by fires in other parts of our little city. We have had two theaters in Little Rock Now we have none.
 Of late years we have been greatly favored But what occurred on Satur lay night, the Sd inst. ought to put us all on our guard If the incen iiary who set fire to Dr. Gibson's stable, had deferred his labor for an hour or two, the probability is that all of Mr. Counts family would have perished in the flames They were all asleep but as the hour was only eleven, they were reused by their neighbors who had not re- tired So early.
 Astwas, nothing but the plentiful supply of water in that part of the Town Branch, saved several of the neighboring houses from destruc ton.
 As we have not in Little Rock abundant means of extinguishing fires-only two engines, and in many parts of the town not a ready sup ply of water-common sense declares tha, we should take such precautions as are in our power against the outbreak of fires, and against their rapid spread when they do break out.
 4 white frame cottage, surrounded by grass, and trees, and shrubbery is pretty sight; but hen houses are built adjoining or nearly ad- joining to one another, they ought to be of brick. If immediately adjoining, and if the houses be of the same hei-hth, the roofs ought to be separated by parapet walls. In Phla- delphia this has been found an efficient means of preventing fires from spreading Commer- cia buildings should, when i. is practicable, have roofs of metal or tile.
 ID the city proper of Philadelphia, the erection of frame buildings, has long been pro- hibited by law; and in Washington City To new frame building is permitted to be erected with in a prescribed distance of an old one.
 What is done in Philadelphia and Washing ton City. by law. we should Ike to see done in Liule Rock by public olinian--so far as the case requires and circumstances will admit
 All houses hereafter erected, adjoining or nearly adjoining other houses, should be of brick: and, if oi the same. neigh with roof, se- parated by rarapet walls. II covered with me taI or tile, 50 much the better The first ex- pense of building with brick, is, We are told, but little more than buildn. with wood. h the long run. the brick house is the cheapest. as 1t VII last longer than frame house. as the insurance cn it is much less. as 1t does rot need as frequent repairs, ald as is walls do not re- qu.re frequent painting.
 When new frame buildings are erected, whether dwellings or out houses, they ought 10 be placeda a. far as they conveniently can be, from other buildings of inc like description. MT Counts cottage residence was only ten feet dis ,alt from Dr. Gibsou's stable Ii it had been twenty feet dstaLt, 1t might have been saved
 A matter of precautioa 1t might not be am $ to pull down certain frame buildings that now dis6gure the town. On the night preced- ing that or which Dc. Gibson's stable was de- stroyed, a drunken man, with no definite object in view, kindlel fire n the old frame formerly occupied by Mr. Jacobi as book bindery. But for the timely discovery of the amusementin which he was engaged, the whole TON ight have been destroyed.