Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1871-12-29


The accounts given in English papers ot
recent date of the fire in Warwick Castle
show that the damage, though great, is moi
as serious as was al first apprehended. The
fire was discovered at half-pasi one O'Clock
on the morning of December 3D. Ii appears
TO have commenced in Lady Warwick's
apartment, in the east wing Before the ar.
rival OF the fire department, the flame had
made rapid progress. The east wing was
speedily guited. From there fire swept
through the grand hall toward the state
apartment. The pictures and books and
other portable yaluables were huriedly re-
moved, aud the total destruction OF the cas-
tie seemed imminent when happily The efforts
of the fireman were crowned with success,
and tho further pr Igress of the fire was
stayed. Lady Eva Greyile and the Hon.
Sydney Greville, two of Lord Warwck's
youngest children, escaped from the nnr-
series over the banquetlng hall, where they
were sleeping with the g0vernoss, only just
in time. A few minutes longer and the
flames would have cut off this mode OF re-
treat, 10 which they had 10 pass through
volumes of choking smoke, and then they
would have had to make their way across
the roof to the state apartments. The foot
man, VIM. Everton, did brave and eoura-
geOus act. Lord Warwick was about to en-
terrain his annual Christmas shooting party,
stored IN the gun room. When the fire was
approaching the room, Everson rushed into
the room and carried the dangerous combus-
tibes into another. and distant part of the
building.
The whole of the central portion of the
castle, right and left of the grand ball. is
described as blaokeHed ruin. Fragments
of iron armor, bent, charred and disiured,
barrels of quaint old match-locks, blades OF
fav1a oil, rn1 enlf
which has defed the fury of the fame, were
found among the mass Of debris. The bar
onial hall and dining room were entirely de-
strOyed, save tue outer walls, with The lurn-
iiure and Lady Warwick's wardrobe. The
Venetian matble floor is seriously damaged,
being crushed and splintered where the
blazing beams tell on 1t. All the private
apartments in the west wing were destroyed
and the nursery and rooms over the hall
were completely gutted. Among the princi-
pal losses were large gun OF curious work
manship captured from a Spanish ship by
Lord A. Hamilton the prOdigous pair OF
OF anilers from Ireland, presented by Lord
Muncaster various excellent specimens of
ancient British armoT and the accoulrements
ranged along the walls the figure of a belt
ed knight, clad In complete sait o beaui-
ful armoT composed OF highly polished steel,
and pronounc ed by Gross 10 be the finest
suit of old English armor oxlant. The great
hall was wainscOited with oak 10 the height
OF twelve feet, and the floor was composed
of alternate squares Of beautiful rcd and
white Italian marble This is now covered
with the debris oil the fre-half molten metal
charred wood, fragments oil pts,. y, PARTIALLY
cnn 81 =. ID ) tnsss nj ,,nuo ii., wy ,'Hsi
The ceihng was eomposeu Of Tho aa1st
Memel timber, elaboralely wrought, some
what after the manner OF the roof oil st.
~ -. s..Aa asn1f az dad Int
compartments, beauliied with coats OF arms
In the centre were the arms Of tue present
Earl. surrounded with the insignia of a
Knight oi 81. Patrick, and IN the surround
ing eight principal ompaItments were placed
shields, within garteTs, charged with the
armora bearings Of the Earls and Duke Ol
Warwick who have been Knights Of the
Most Noble Order of 81. George. Over
other parts of The ceiling were disposed the
coats OF arms OF the many ilustrious faml-
lies with the ancient EaIls of Warwick and
the House OF GreYile have been connected.
The cOlosal antique bust OF Hercules, and
a sarcophagus, aud the front Of which was
represented in basso relieve the story OF Dint
and Endymion, have been destroyed. ThI
latter was regarded as an Invaluable work
Tue red drawing-roOm was very little in
iured, and the rest oil the State apartment
we're entirely uuhurt. TIE jewels and famil.
plate we're saNeu' Inc properly saNeu III
oluaes the whole Of the valuable pictures il
the various State apartments, and the entir
furniture which they contained 1he les
portable, which were obliged TO be lett in tn
loom, sustained hardly my damage, an
that very unimporlaut The picture wer
wrenchtd from th,lr frames, but the paint
ings tlemselvts, and especially the mo-
valuable ones, sustained little actual injury
The fine Brussels tapestry in the State bee
room is very little damaged, especially as
was torn hurriedly from the walls when lh
advent OF the fire was deemed imminen
The splendid Pietra Comemssa table, h0we
cd with lapls lazuli, formerly the property
the unfortunate MOlie Antoinette, also SUI
tuined little damage The Etruscan vase
bronzes, and crystal and Bohemian glasse
are also carcely injured.