Year: 1872

tho Afflicted CITY


The full, graphic and reliable dispatches
from Boston, which have given to the readers
Of the HERALD tho earliest and best inteli-
gence from the scene of tho great calamity
from the breaking out of the fire up to tho
present moment, are continued in our col
umns to-day They contain more interesting
details Of the events of the fearful hours when
the conAagration ragged in all its fury, more
particular accounts Of the losses, and bring
the story of the drama down to the hour when
all fear Of further misfortune had happily
ceased. A heavy rain storm set in at eight
O'Clock last evening, following day Of driz-
cling mist, and the welcome visitor speedily
quieted the apprehensions Of the timid and
gave relief to the worn-out watchers Of the
subdued but scarcely conquered enemy.
The bright flames which continued to rise
threateningly from the ruins, as if only
awaiting little aid from the friendly wind to
spread further devastation, were beaten down
and extinguished the showering sparks went
out one after another, until along the smoul-
dering mass all was blackness and smoke.
There is no longer any danger Of renewal of
the fire.


AS in Chicago, the military have proved of
great service in Boston in preventing robberies
and preserving order. Thousands Of thieves
fastened to the city to take advantage Of the
confusion and terror in their peculiar fashion.
According to all accounts they have been pre-
vented from plying profitable trade. The
military and civil authorities have wisely
acted in perfect harmony, and there have
been no cross-purposes and no conflicting
orders to add to the confusion. Although the
city has not been under martial law the good
effects of martial law have been felt, and strict
military discipline has prevailed in all the ar
rangements. The merchants who have been
burned out are locating themselves temporarily
in other parts of the city and proceeding with
their business, and the property owners
only await the laying out OF the
contemplated new streets over the burned dis
tricts to commence the work of rebuilding
The condemned Mansard roof receives no
mercy from the press, and it is probable that
the tasteful finish will be relgiously discarded
in all Boston buildings for the future. The
people are again cheerful and hopeful, and
there is every prospect that the city will
speedily rally from the shock it has received.


The insurance Offices appear to be likely to
weather the storm gallantly. Only two sus-
pensions in this city are yet announced-the
Humboldt and the International but few
more failures ddfs anticipated The losses Of
the New York companies are not
heavy considering the amount of prop
erty destroyed, being only five millions
in oil. The foreign companies lose some
what heavily; but they are rich, substantial
and can afford to stand the loss. A proposal
to increase the insurance rate has been made
as means of relief to the companies; but
this would be step Of doubtful expediency,
and we do not believe it will be taken. Alto
gether the severity Of the shock Of the great
Boston confagration may be said to have
passed away, and the people are beginning to
console themselves that the solid wealth and
prosperity Of the country has enabled them to
meet 1t SO we'll