The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-12-09

ERgtdnd-London. One hundred and
seventy-fye large fires are recorded in this
city previous to 1900; the first two being
A. D. 799-893, and without details. Lon
don bridge, and the buildings on it, were
burned six times, viz: A. d, 1136, 1912,
1904, 1888, 1925 and 1858. The great
fire Of 1866 burned six days, and caused
loss of $50, $4,000. OF this loss, one
fifth is set down by Hone as the value of
St. Paul's cathedral. The FIRE extended
from the Tower to Temple church, and
from the northeast gate to Holborn
bridge-an area of 436 acres. Besides
tho royal proclamations, there were fifty
four books and poems written on this fire,
in Latin and English.
From 1859 to 1900 fires became much
more numerous, frequently six or seven
large ones occurring in year. There are
1874 recorded from 1900 to August, 1876,
an average of 2! per annum. After 1923
there is marked decrease, rarely more
than two or three great fires happening
per year up to 1S49; in some years only
one, and in 1928 none. The years Of this
period in which there was only one fire
recorded were 1881, 1888, 1889, 1912,
1874, 1S46-and one previous to this pc
riod, 1917. In 1884 the old houses of
parliament were burned, and Westminster
abbey was saved with great difficulty. In
1S41 portion of the Tower and its bar
racks we're burned, with 100000 stand of
arms and much other property After
lS49 the annual number Of considerable
fires is generally four, five, or six; in 1853
there were eight, and in 1860, ten. Com
mencing with 1870 (three, there is again
a notable decrease Of the fires, if compar-
cd with the immense increase Of the city;
thus-1S71, five; 1872, two; 1873, two;
1874, four (including the "freproof" pan
techniconD 1875, two; and 1876 (to Au-
gust seven.
Liverpool This city has remarkable
fire record. In 1884 there were four; and
none recorded there from 1884 to 1912.
In 1912 there were three, causing losses
amounting to s3,500,00O. In 1943 there
were three; 1874, two; 1915, one; 1916,
three. After the last date only one great
FIRE per annum is recorded in any year, in
Liverpool, up to August, 1876, except
1851 (two3 and there were none in 1S49,
1850, 1852, 1855, 1858, 1861, 1865, 1868,
1870, to 1873, and one in 1875. The
fire which destroyed the immense "landing
stages" July 2S, 1874 (loss 81 ,250, ,OO0D
was the largest ever occurring in Liver
pool, and is also remarkable, for lawsuit
involving the large sum named, being de-
cided against the gas company of Liverpool
on the plea of carelcssness of its workmen.
Other parts Of Great Britain.-From
A. d. 6l0, when st. David's, Wales, was
burnt, to 1900, there are 313 fires record.
ed (besides those of London and Liver
pool) and from 1900 to August, 1876,
$50. There were, at various times during
the past seventy years, many important
fires in the agricultural and manufacturing
districts, not detailed, most of them being
incendiary fires, and arising from troubles
with laborers and the operatives of factories,
Frdncc-Paris. This city was an ex.
traordinary instance of fire exemption until
quite recently. The first record is of A.
D. 559, "Paris burned" then no fires are
recorded until ZIG, period of l,l5S
years. Then follow in order (most of
them slight fires) 1716, 1862, 1868, 1866,
1907, 1881, 1899, 1902, 1910, 1920, 1858,
1869. That of 1920 Gloss s2,S00, 0,OOO)
was probably the largest, except the rava-
ges Of the commune fires" of 1871. 1t
commenced at the wine depot in the Bourg
Bercy. In the absence Of water to supply
the feeble engines, an attempt was made
to extiuguish the flames with s0ine, of
which pool fifty feet square and one foot
deep was formed; but, of course, the noble
beverage aided, instead of repressing the
fire.
Other parts Of Fraace.-Preyious to
1900, As fires; from 1900 to August, 1876,
% fires.
Spaia.-Previous to A. d. 1900, only
seven fires are recorded. That of 1900,
in Madrid, was the worst, and began at
midnight, August 18th. The fire burned
three days. After 1900, the only fire re-
corded in Spain is that Of the Escurial
palace at Madrid, October 2, 1872.
Germany-Prussia, Saxony, Bavaria
and Belgium. Previous to 1909, So great
fires are recorded in these kingdoms, and
Is from 1900 to August, 1876.
Russia-Moscow. This city had fear
full conaagrations in 1870, 1706, 1897,
1748, 1850, 1852, 1853 (two,) 1873,
1872 (Napoleon's greatest check and
June Is, 1S76-50 houses.
st. Petersburg. Large fires in 1876,
1766, 1771, 1880 (20 1882, 1887, 1896,
1918, 1920, 1886 (126 lives lost,) June
10, 1862 Gloss 5000, ,O0O,l 1864 "a, } and
June 10, 1876 Gloss 81 ,0OO,00O.)
Archangel. Large fires 1867, 1777,
1898, 1911.
Astrakan, nearly deatroyed August 1858
Mimi Novgorod Fifteen hundred
booths and 14s houses destroyed june Is,
1864.
Other parts Of Russia-Previous to
1900, Is large fires; from 1900 to August,
1876, 80.
1Wkey-Constantin This has been
the most unfortunate city of the world, in
regard to fires. Previous to 1900 there
are 40 very large conaagrations recorded,
and from 1900 to August, 1876, 20. The
number of buildings burned each time
ranged from 200 to 81, 900, generally 6 900
or 5000, including costly palaces and
mosques. OF the two fires which occurred
in 194S, the first burned 5000 buildings,
and the second caused a loss ofSl5, 900, 900.
MISUNDERSTANDING In 1S42 a
conaagratlon destroyed 1892 buildings;
loss, s35,0OO,OOO
Other parts of Europe---13O large fires
previous to 1900; from 1900 to August,
1876, 7s.
WEST INDIEs.-Jamaicd Port Royal,
1902, 1903, 1850 (two) 1915. Kingston,
176S, 1882, 1862, 1866. Montego, 1905.
Hagti-Port au Prince, 1874, 1891,
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