The New York herald., 1862-01-16
Bun ming Of the Government House, To-
rontO, Canada.

ID Toronto papers or the 18TH nst contain the paTti
cuars of the burning Of the Government House in that
city ON the 11th inst:
The building was lately in the occupation Of Mrs. Mer
and used boarding school for young ladies; and
the Hon Mr. Kllaly Cominssi of Public Works, had
offices in the north wing, as h also COL Macdougai, In
spectng Field officer OF Militia. All these parties how
ever vacated the premises early last week. the govern
ment having granted the use Of them to the officers Of the
Thirteth regiment.
Captain Brooke Captain Clarkson, Lieutenant Morewood
Lieutenant Garnett and others, moved into the building
on Friday last and had not got comfortably settled In
their quarters before the lire came to eject them
The flames were first discovered few minutes before
eleven O'Clock by some oil the servants IN me r,aeisn
call "fre sounded at the Queens printing ohce
where two hundred Of the regiment are garrisoned
They turned and made their way to the fire. where
they were actively employed In removing and protecting
furniture and endeavoring to extinsush the flames.
The fire had reached the roof nearly over the main
entrance and was spreading along the West
the apartments occupied by the Prince OF Wales when he
visited Toronto and also over the grand ball room built
for Sir Edmund Head, the late Governor General The
flames progressed slowly, the heavy rough cast walls
preventing them bursting through to the exterior. The
lower part OF the building appeared 20 be untouched but
the FIRE obstnatcy made its way along the second story
deyng the utmost exertions Of those who manned the
engines.
Tie 0rc continued till six O'Clock In the morning,
which the greater part Of the main building was
gutsd. the upper story being almost completely de
sroyed The only portion saved was the northern wing
but il was much damaged by water. The servants
apartments aud kitchen the northwest escaped. The
drawing ball overlooking the park on the south
front and the suit Of occupied by the Prince Of
Wales and the Duke of Newcastle the .cond floor
were almost entirely consumed, the walls alone being
LETT standing The ball room was very handsome and
capacious apartment beautifully decorated and finished,
~ also the drawing room adjoining. They were
both unoccuped The furniture and other effects of the
officers nearly all removed in safety but OF course
considerably injured.
The origin Of the lire appears to be enveoped In con
siderable mystery. All we know is that nc first the
flames appeared have greatest volume and strength In
the second story nearly the main entrance. The
opinion IL general however that the lire purely
cidenta The building was, we believe, fully insured
Within the past ten years 1t had undergone considerable
repairs and received extensive additions. The main por
ton erected upwards of thirty years since and was
occupied successfully by Governors Sir John Colborne
Sir Francis Bond Head, Sir George Arthur Mr. Poueit
Thompson afterwards Lord Sydenhsm, and Sir Edmund
Head
In is47, the scat of government being then in Mon
tresl, IL occupied by the normal school established
in that year On the return Of the government TO To-
ronto In ls4q IL was used for departmental purposes In
1856 many additions made to the building and the
whole thoroughly repaired for the occupation of Sir Ed
mund Head who for four years found In pleasant and
comfortable residence In 1850 1t WAS rehtted for the
Prince of wales last year MRS Mercer obtained the
use Of Il from the government