The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-18

lures m the Govsrnor's fs1Om-
just as 10 sie going 10 press. nre has broken out
IN ths City Hau, which thra'eas 70 destroy that nne
building, snd all The property II contains.
The cupols Il Of fame. and The Connsgrasion
spreading rspIdy 10 the nsor beneath There is at
present no hope Of being able 70 save the properly
ct ,be building, though Is likely that The
sheu viii remain, bong composed OF marble
The origin OF The Ore at the time write, Is unknown,
but s supposed 70 have resulted from the fireworks Of
sss evening" that some Of the sparks caught The wood
work tho cupola ana after smoulderng for several
houn Ut length burst mo fame with SUCH fury that
nothing could stop it. The bell ringer had only time
to ring two alarms Of the be when the dro became 30
hot that be was compelled 70 leave.
The fact that the Hall bell did rot ring, deceived many
Of the Hreueu, and they did not arrive early q they
otherwise would, when, In consequence OF the great
Of the oupoa the streams did very little good aftsr
he engines got in working order.
The IRE commenced In the woodwork at tbs base OF
he cupoA, and the whole dome was .
mass Of iurid dame. The was most magnificent
and far ouishown the illumination OF few hours ,fore
The flame brilliant the at monday, and
rolled up the sides OF the building In huge Of fire
The Of ~aer FROM the engine. seemed To be or
sort Of In stopping the progress Of the condagra
op The oIity or the sresms could barely reach the
roof, and had much effect q childs squiri would
have putting out = volcano. The necessity Of steam
fire engine manifest in the fire lest night,
all the fremen could pretend TO do was to keep the
roof ss,urated prevent the progress Of the flames
downward.
So irterse became the IRE In few moments tina, the
cockwo.k began MELT and the molten metal 10 the
floor below.
There scarcely doubt but that Ill tn pictures In the
Governors ROOM and the papers and property in other
parts Of guiding Will be very much dAmsged, not
entirely destroyed.
There much feeling the partial destruction Of this
fine building and II will lead TO agitation for the imme
date construction Of the new City 6All.
From ell accounts there must have been tho most cul
pSoe careessneas the part of certsn persons In the
building The fire smouldering from the street
full hour before broke into blaze 1t Incredible
that had proper precauton been used there would
have been no danger Of the edifce being destroyed
is the general opinion that the City Hall nreproof
rn;s is true building but the cupola has been
filed with iphammsbe wood work. and has long been
ceedngy dangerous.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Mtwepty minutes past twelve O'Clock this morning
fire broke out Of the base Of the City Hall cupola The
bell ringer stationed therein struck the bell but rapid
was the progress OF the flames that he WAS unable 10
in hts position, and had but little time alo we'd him
10 make bis escape.
minutes eiter mo nre Droko pfepy
much the whole Of the cupola enveloped 10 .mes
thus sffordpg the citizens exhibition not set forth In
the programme and looked upon with general feelings Of
regret Al quarter aier O'Clock the cupoA
body Of fire, and expected 10 fall every moment The
and the garr story OF the centre building also
burning furio sy. largo body of lrsmsn working
with all their energies but the streams tended but little
10 subdue the violence Of the IRE The flames spread
rapidly downwsrds, burning 10 the ceiling Of the CO.
vsrpor's room, and the doms the staircase Atwo
O'Clock the balance Of the cupoa fell, and the fremen
by copous supply Of water, succeeded In checking the
nAmes from spreading much beyond the parts Of the
building already alluded 10.
The damage by fire and water cannot well fall short Of
$4,000 Some OF larges, paintings in the Governors
room were removed 10 prevent their injury by water.
orsen of the nre nj present unknown, but II ID
stated pretty reliable authority that commenced y,
the base OF the cupoa, where Il Joins the roof and
supposed TO have been caused by the fireworks.
The nre was observed by many persons 10 be burning
frcm fifteen 10 twenty minutes before 90 alarm WAS
tusy given, say smoke and smouldcring FIRE
Was rotced oil CT hour bcosc. How this will be veri-
ned 10 . matter for the Fire Marrhal TO Investigate
Mr. Cornwe Of the Assistant Engineers Of the Fire
Department walking up Nassau with Engineer
Baulch and said 70 be about the first give the
alarm. Mr. Corpwel the locality Of the FIRE and hur
riod the telegraph oice 10 call 10 Mr.. Bevlns, the
bell ringer They called up the tube, but could not for
some time obtain any reply. The fire By this time had
advanced considerably the cupos and Mr. Bevins only
had time TO strke the bell strokes when compelled 10
qui the IRE cutting on his retreat by the stairs
TIE scESE AT rHS FIhx.
When the Ere frat commenced the hrcmen who wore
scene Of The coragrsion did not work with that
combined effort which manifested by them ai sub
sequen, period. and thus the disu,y Of keeping the
O'Clock Till the failing Of the cupola (portions OF
which fell at ntervss) the strenuous and laoorous
ertons put forth by the noble self sacrificing fireman.
are beyond all praise The most exkavagani com.
mendstons were heapcd upon those Who ventured,
with their lives In their hsncs, TO prevent the flames
from spreading aud the excited spectators ~ The sub.
lime gave their appreciation OF the Industry
and energy exhibited by the ercmen Ia ioui md pro-
usc,ed cheering The guests 81 the Assor Freocns aud
rammany occupied every window q the buildings, and
watched the progress Of the coussvoa with intense
terest The ladies' minus their hoops and crnoine
Of coufee and the male had doed their artificial
mous,aches and other fascinating sppendases in wh.h
they appeared but few hours previous Both gendsrs
however, forgot these minor Affairs and were
absorbed in contemplating which aroused the feel
irsos suhlimty 10 ntense degree, tho burning o.
the temple In which City Fathers Offer UP their deyo
tons well calculated to inspire
me motley group which had bean constantly aocumu-
latlpe the Park from the alarm gisen
until The raging element had yielded W the omupo,encs q
mar seemed 70 "epjoy the fun" amazingly. An Irish wo
msn was very anxious to know Il there "min WI
min and childer secpln there, and also whether the
Of very great not" Our reporter
gave her seemed 10 sppsase her curiosity
Immediately.
"Bni" said ragged young urchIn 70 newsboy, "the
Queen will have pay for these Fireworks" Ami .
Jolly big Gre, "yeled another enthusiastic young Ame
rican." This reminds OF The burning Of Old Saint
Psuls observed would be phlosophio old gentleman,
and said his companion, calls 10 my recollection
prosecutions which tho martyrs endured In the early
history OF the Christian church. when Nero burned them
at the stake" Various The criticisms made by tho
assembled multitude many Of whom leaving the park
remarked that they would not have missed the sight for