24. FIRE

AT

THE CAPITOL, WASHINGTON. Intelligence has been received of a most disastrous fire, which occurred in the Capitol of Washington on the morning of the 24th of December, by which a large part of the valuable library, and many portraits, statues, and archives, were destroyed. The origin of the fire is unknown; but smoke having been observed to issue from the windows of the library, some of the officers forced an entrance, and found that the large table at the north end of the room was on fire, together with a portion of the shelving and books in the alcoves on the right or north-east, and between the table and the door at the north end of the room, leading to the law library.

At this time a few buckets of water would have sufficed to extinguish the fire; but the draught which the entrance of the officials had produced lent such vigour to the flames, that the whole room was soon in the power of the destroying element. The flames seemed to glide over and above the gallery, as if its materials were of the most combustible character, for scarcely any appreciable time was occupied in wrapping the whole vaulted hall in volumes of smoke and fire.

VOL. XCIV.

Unfortunately the cold was so intense (the thermometer being below zero) that the hose of the engines was frozen, and some time elapsed before they could be got into working order. They were then run into the building, and played with great effect upon the burning pile; the high walls, and the daring exertions of the fire companies, happily prevented the flames from spreading to other parts of the Capitol.

The library, situated in the centre of the west front of the Capitol, was constructed with great taste and beauty. The room was 92 feet in length, 34 in width, and 36 in height, having alcoves, over which were two galleries, extending throughout the apartment. The room was handsomely ornamented with paintings, marble busts, and cabinets, and contained a choice collection of books, gathered from all civilized countries and from international exchanges. The number of volumes in the whole library was about 55,000; of these, the law books, and a mis cellaneous collection, which were in small rooms adjoining the principal hall, were saved; but the whole of the valuable books in the principal library, numbering 35,000 volumes, were destroyed. B

Besides the books, a number of valuable paintings, hanging around the library walls and between the alcoves, were destroyed. Among them were Stuart's paintings of the first five Presidents; an original portrait of Columbus; a second portrait of Columbus; an original portrait of Peyton Randolph; a portrait of Bolivar; a portrait of Baron Steuben, by Pyne; one of Baron de Kalb; one of Cortez; and one of Judge Hanson of Maryland. Between 1100 and 1200 bronze medals of the Vattemare exchange, some of them more than ten centuries old, and exceedingly perfect, were among the valuables destroyed. Of the statuary burnt and rendered worthless, was a statue of Jefferson; an Apollo in bronze, by Mills; a very superior bronze likeness of Washington; a bust of General Taylor, by an Italian artist; and a bust of Lafayette, by David. The most precious of the manuscripts, the original Declaration of Independence, was preserved.

29. OUTRAGE ON A BRITISH SUBJECT AT FLORENCE.-An occurrence, which caused great indignation in this country, led to protracted negotiations, and ended to the dissatisfaction of all parties, occurred at Florence. It is well known, that the grandduchy of Tuscany, although governed by its Grand-Duke as an independent prince, is occupied by a strong corps of the Austrian army. The political bearings of this subject belong to the HISTORY; but this occurrence arose from the presence of an Austrian regiment at Florence. As this regiment was marching through the streets headed by a very fine band, Mr. Erskine Mather, a young Englishman travelling for

pleasure, attracted by the music, kept pace with them; but happening to step somewhat within the line of march, in the interval between the band and the regiment, he was instantly struck by an Austrian officer with the flat of his sword. Mr. Mather turned round to remonstrate, and raised his arm to ward off another blow, when he was savagely cut down by a second officer, receiving a severe cut on the head. The wounded man was conveyed to the hospital of Santa Maria Nuova, where he lay some time in a dangerous condition. Reparation for the insult, and compensation for the injury, was demanded by the British Government from that of Tuscany, and long negotiation took place. The Grand-Duke alleged, that as the outrage was committed by an Austrian officer, he could not be considered answerable for it; and in truth, the unlucky sovereign and his subjects are held in stern subjection by the Austrians. The British Government, however, held that while the Duke called himself an independent sovereign, he was answerable; but that the Austrian Government was not less answerable for the military outrage. For the Austrian officer it was tendered in apology, that he thought Mr. Erskine was about to cross between the regiment and the band, which would be such a military offence as rendered it indispensable, on pain of loss of his commission, that the officer should cut down the offender. The negotiations were long, complicated, and difficult, and can be understood only by referring to the "blue books" of the correspondence laid before Parliament, and to the debates thereon; but the affair ended in an apology from

the officer to his victim, the payment of 1000 francesconi (about 2401.) by the Tuscan Government to Mr. Mather as compensation for the injury, and the surrender of two young Englishmen named Stratford, who had been found guilty of a political crime in Tuscany, and sentenced to death.

1852.

JANUARY.

PRESERVED MEATS FOR THE NAVY. A discovery of great importance has been made in examining the naval stores. Some years ago, a method of preserving meats for any number of years, in closed tin canisters, was announced; and our Government entered into an extensive contract with a Mr. Goldner for a supply for the use of the navy, and a large quantity was received into store. Doubts having arisen as to the preservation of the meat thus supplied, a board of examination was ordered. The results of their investigation created great indignation and disgust. Upon the canisters (containing 10 lbs. each) being opened, the contents were found not only to be putrid, but composed of the most horrible and loathsome materials pieces of heart, roots of tongues, palates, coagulated blood, ligaments of throats, intestines, filth and indescribable garbage-all in a state of putrescence and corruption. Of 643 canisters opened on the first day, 573 were found unfit for human food, their contents being masses of putrefaction. Of 779, 734 were condemned; of 791, 744 condemned; of 494, 459 condemned-out of 2707 opened on

the first four days, only 197 were fit for use. The Board were then so overcome by the horrible appearance of the masses of corrup tion and the fearful stench, that they were compelled to adjourn their horrid task. The putrid

masses were taken out to sea and submerged. Of about 10,000 canisters in store, the quantity found endurable was scarce 10 per cent. At the Victualling Yard, Deptford, a similar examination took place, when, of some thousand canisters, only 8 per cent. were found eatable.

The

Sir John Franklin's squadron was supplied with preserved meat, but by another contractor. horrible situation of that unhappy expedition may be imagined, should their stores have been found in this state in the hour of need.

2. EXTENSIVE FIRES IN LONDON.-Several extensive fires have occurred almost simultaneously, by which great loss has been sustained.

On the 2nd instant, a fire was discovered on the premises of Mr. Sparks, a builder, in Glasshouse Street, near the St. Katherine Docks. From the imflammable nature of the stock the fire burnt furiously, and spread to the premises of Mr. Trittner, scum-boiler, and to some adjoining houses. The exertions of the firemen saved the latter from total destruction, but the tenements of Mr. Sparks and Mr. Trittner were burnt down, with all their contents.

On the 4th instant, an extensive conflagration occurred in Gravel Lane, Southwark, in the timberyards of Mr. Tipper. Immense piles of valuable timber were burning at the same time, and, from the nature of the stacks, the flames spread unchecked by the volumes

of water thrown upon them. Immense flakes of burning timber were thrown high into the air, and fell upon the neighbouring houses, and upon the persons who had assembled in great crowds to view the scene. The flames spread to an adjoining timber-yard, and destroyed much of the stock; and thence caught a large pile of timber in the yard of a firewood cutter, which was entirely consumed. The fire continued to spread through the piles of timber, and was not subdued until the following evening. Many private houses adjoining were much damaged.

en

While the engines were gaged in Gravel Lane, intelligence arrived that a fire had broken out in the Westminster Bridge Road. Four private houses were burnt or much injured.

3. FATAL GAS-LAMP EXPLOSION. -A young man named Edwards, articled clerk to a solicitor, met his death under the somewhat singular circumstances detailed in the evidence before a coroner's jury.

Mr. F. Gostling Foster, residing at Highgate College, where the accident happened, said he was a law student, and had known the deceased for three days previously. The occurrence took place in his sitting-room, and they two were the only persons present. Mr. Edwards was sitting a little way from the table, near the fire, and remarked that the lamp was going out. He said that he would trim it, and having taken the burner and fittings off, he poured in from a can about a cupful of mineral spirit. He was replacing the fit tings, and had given the screw about one turn, when the explosion took place. It broke five

panes of glass, burst open the shutters, and filled the room with flame. He retreated to the door, calling on the deceased to follow. On looking round he found he was not behind him, and went back, when he saw him behind the door all on fire. Witness took hold of his arm, got him to the front door onto the grass, and desired him to throw himself down. He did so, and witness rolled over him. The lamp belonged to witness, and he bought it at Mr. Holliday's, 128, Holborn Hill. He had had it about six weeks previously, and had used it for that time. He always trimmed it himself. The mineral spirit was also purchased by him at Mr. Holliday's. He had received a paper which contained the following caution, "Never permit a light or fire to be near the spirit when replenishing the lamp." He had received the paper as an advertisement, not as a caution, and had not read it. Mr. Holliday's foreman had told him not to light the lamp when the top was burning, and witness observed, jokingly, "I suppose it won't go off," to which the shopman replied, "No, no!" He promised to send witness instructions with the key, but had not done so. The lamp had been burning that evening from about a quarter past 4 till about 8 o'clock.

Mr. Holliday, a manufacturing chymist and lampmaker, said that the lamp in question and the spirit were sold at his shop, 128, High Holborn. Since the accident happened, he had tried many experiments, and did not admit that the spirit was explosive. The can being empty was full of vapour, and if held to a light would explode. The appearance of it seemed to indicate that it had. He called

Dr. Scoffern said he had examined the general properties of these lamps, at the request of the family of the deceased. The lamp was intended to burn certain compounds of gas called hydro-carbon, which were not of themselves explosive unless mixed with a certain proportion of atmospheric air, when it would become what was popularly know as fire-damp. The chances of such an explosion increased as the spirit diminished. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

4. DESTRUCTION OF THE "AMAZON" BY FIRE.-FEARFUL CATASTROPHES.-The history of navigation has presented many scenes of horror and suffering, which it seemed impossible to exceed; nevertheless, the destruction by fire, on the morning of the 4th of January, within two days' sail of port, of the West India Mail steamer the Amazon, accompanied by the horrible deaths of the greater part of her passengers and crew, greatly surpasses in frightful interest all

that has hitherto been recorded.

The present year has been marked by a succession of calamities, by which large numbers of lives have been lost, an immense amount of property destroyed, and the general feelings greatly excited. As any adequate narrative of these frightful events would greatly exceed the limits assigned to this part of the ANNUAL REGISTER, which is assigned to the Chronicle of Occurrences, it has been judged more satisfactory to detail at greater length the destruction of the Amazon; of the troop ship Birkenhead, at the Cape; the Holmfirth catastrophe; and the

Gardiner, at Picton Island, in the APPENDIX TO THE CHRONICLE.

GAROTTE ROBBERIES.-The horrible system of robbery by means of strangulation continues to prevail. At Nottingham, Mr. King, a lace-manufacturer, was walking with a young lady along Trent Lane, a rather lonely pathway a mile from the town. A man of suspicious appearance passed them, and gave a whistle: three men armed with bludgeons immediately sprang from the hedges, and, with the aid of the first man, assailed the lady and gentleman. The former was beaten till she became insensible; the offers of Mr. King to give up all he had about him, if the robbers would refrain from violence, being unheeded. Finding but a small sum of money on Mr. King, they struck him a violent blow on the head, which laid open his skull. The villains then decamped. When the sufferers were discovered they were in a pitiable state.

About the same time, two robberies took place in Edinburgh, by. tightening a noose round the body and arms, and then rifling the pockets. Both assaults were committed about midnight, the one on the footpath through Bruntsfield Links, and the other on the public road near Merchiston Castle. In the one case a watch was stolen, and in the other some money.

THE SULOO PIRATES.-Intelligence has been received by the Indian Mail of an attack upon the trading schooner Dolphin, by a band of Sooloo pirates. The schooner, in the course of a trading voyage, had anchored in the Bay of Maladu, 600 miles north of the Sarebas River, when she was