The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-07-04

the ballroom. Tolerable composure ha'
been hitherto maintained, but the restrain
of Napoleon's presence Withdrawn, ever,
consideration gave way, and in agony an,
violence the tumultuous multitude pressel
towards the doors.
One of the German guests thus describes
the scene. Il had Escaped" he says, "from
the oppression and heat Of the bali room in
TO the gallery, which was less crowded. On
a sudden, wild shrek and tumult rose
Rushing back to the pavilion, l saw the roo
one mass of quiyering flames, leaping and
spreading in every direction. There was No
time howeyer,so looi on; surging crowd
drove me back into the hotel disengag-
ed myself from them, and regained the scene
of the accident through the gardens. The
immense pavilion was now in a universal
blaze; the flames actually seemed to pursue
.hc stream Of fugitives. Heavy lustres were
falling; planks, boards and beams dashed
heavily together. The wood-boy, exposed
as it had been to the sun, the paint and dra-
peries, were burning ike fireworks, and all
the water poured on from the frc-engines
seemed to have no effect upon the fury Of
the flames. While stood looking on for a
few seconds, they darted high above the roof
Of the gallery; heavy beams were falling close
behind me, and was obliged to escape, while
there was yet time, into the gardens. Never
can | forgetthe spectacle there presented, that
dreadful confusion Of personal danger fear
and agony, Some were rushing about, their
light dresses on fire; others had been thrown
down and ;rampcd under foot. Husbands
were seeking their wives, mothers crying
fiantically for their daughters; croans of sut-
ferine, shrells of terror the cries Of those
who threw themselves VITA passionate JOY
into each others arms, the wall Of agony, the
hear,-rending appeals for help; all mingled
in horrible diapasio." Many persons were
severely injured by the flight of steps from
the principal entrance giving way suddoaly.
queens of Naples and Westphalia were both
thrown down. and narrowly escaped being
trampled to death. The Russian Ambassa-
dor Pyiucc Kurakin, was rescued with great
difficulty by his friends, other hands less
friendly cut all the diamond buttons or his
coat Every distinction of rank was sudden
ly leyeled IN that assembly; stars, ribbons,
nay, even majesty itself, were iostlcd by ser
wants, soldiers and workmcn; the frcmen
half intoyicatcd, pushed their way through
the crowd; royal ladies' were elbowed by
musicians and opara-lancers; and as n back
ground to this scene, of confusion, rose HIGH. |
or, GoreoE more general every moment, the .
terrible confagratior, paling and mocking
the llluminaiions Of tie gardens. The hotel
itself had caught fire; the alarm had spread .
the streets were tlronced with
people crying out that half Of Paris woaid be
burned down.
The aallest part Of tha story remains still
70 be told When the FIRE broke out, Prince
Joseph Won schwarizcnbers was standing in
with the Empress. Ills first
care was for his wife, the Princess Pauline,
whom he had left only few minutes before
in another part Of The room. lie searched
the ballroom for her in vain, and was assuT-
ell by several persons that she was already
in the gardens; there many people declared
they had seen her carried, fainting, indeed,
but otherwise uninjured, into hotel
Prince Joseph eagerly repairing thithor. but
only to find a lady, perfect stranger TO him,
who remarkably rcscmbled his Princes
IIurrying bacl, in an agony, his daughter,
burat, was brought to him; Tie
had gained the garden in safety
out returned for her child; they were esca-
oing together, when a mass Of blazing wood
Ell, and separated them. This was all the
,oor child had to tell, at this moment, the
orturing prcsentiment which had laid hold
# the unhappy husband passed through eve
y degree, and certainty flashed upon his
aind with light more bright than that Of
ne con1agration. As he approached the
,aviiion, his eve fell upon an oninous sight
The Princess won Leyen, her rich dress
iancing in fragments, the diadem she had
worn burnt deeply into her forehead. She
lad ONLY been rescued from the flames to
niger few DAYS in suffering; and, alas
hose who brought her ont told that they hal
cen figure in the midst ofthe fire whomit
vas impossible 10 save. On hearing these !
-ords Prince Joseph broke away from his {
iends and would have rushed mp the burn &
ng steps. when floor and ceiling crashed in Z
o ono ruin. volumes Of raging fire and smoke
oured forth, and-all was over!
So swift had been The destroyer in its
-ork, that hardly a quarter Of an hour had ;
lapsed between the accident, seemingly so !
light, to the gauze festoon, and this final
ct of-the tradgedy. For one minute this ]
wful spectacle suspended the restless agony q
f the crowd. and while they stood stupefed {
efore It, the Emperor, in his wei known /
ray coat, suddenly re-appeared before them. '
Tnder his orders, the strangers present with