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A PROPOSAL BY PROXY.

IN-DOOR ECONOMY.

THE LATE FIRE IN THE TOWER.

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THE LATE FIRE IN THE TOWER. It is painful to witness the mutilated state in which every article of value has been found. In the course of the afternoon the marble bust of William IV., which formerly stood on the pedestal of the Waterloo trophy, was extracted from among the ruins by Mr. Lund, one of the yeoman porters. The action of the fire had converted the marble into limestone, and the prominent features are much injured, though the likeness is still discerni- ble. Although nearly seven days have elapsed since the origin of the fire it retained the heat in such an extraordinary degree that it was « ith some difficulty this relic could be conveyed to the Governor's house. It is a fact not generally known, but certainly deserves to be recorded, that Mrs. Swifte, the wite of the keeper of the jewels, with unparalleled for- titude, on the night of the fire remained in the Jewel-house, after seeing her children in a place of safety, in order to afford her assistance in pre serving the costly regalia. It having been announced that tha Rev. Henry Nlelville, the recently appointed chaplain to the garrison, had returned to England, and would preach his first fernmn in St. Peter's Church, Sunday morning, the sjrpatest interest was mani- fested to obtain admission. The church is re- markably small, and was crowded to excess. The whole of the officers on duty in the garrison attended, and the Adjutant-General, Colonel l\]'Donald, the family of Lord Hill, and Lady Emily Seymour, %vere among those present. Prayers were read by the Curate, the Rev. II. Thomas, who returned thanks on behalfof the garrison for their deliverance from the dangers of the late conflagra- tion. Nlr, Ilelville took his text from the second Epistle of St- Pe'er, c- iii., v. 11—" Seeing, then, that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of person ought ye to be in all holy con- versation and godliness," and expressed his convic- tion that it was the duty of ministers on extraordinary occasions like the present, assembled as they were amid the ruins of that which was once so stately to ex'ract from it some profitable theme for observation and reflection. Tile rev. preacher said-" Lament we mnt the proud memorials of our national fame, which are now nothing more than smouldering ruins but Blenheim and Waterloostill exist in the minds of men, and though the trophies so honourably gained be wholly lost, there will be found in our country brave soldiersever ready when danger threa'ens to defend the honour of their fatherland and if the wheel of the Victory, which has so often been guided in defence of ottr liber- tie-, be crumbled in o dust, there is an army and a navy which will ever respond to the spirit-stirring call of England expects that every man will do his duty-' Let those whose lame is doubtful mourn hopelessly the loss of tiophies such as these that of England rests on too stanch a foundation to be affected by the like contingencies. But how forci- ble are the words of the apostle, and, Ianling amidst the scene of desolation around, how appli- cable the, demand C What manner of men are ye in all holy] conversation and godliness ?' The rev. gentleman then eloquently alluded to the forget- I'tilness of the world in general of the great truth that all things must fade-that life is but a ipan- and that" alrhollgh it may seem scarcely credible that the surrounding universe, stedfast and firm as it appears, the everlasting sun by day, and the glorioij-t telintie of night, the brilliant and inter minable stars, should pass away and be seen no more. He at "hose command they fli-st blazed for, h has sent forth the edict, and from it there is no possibility of escape. The sensualist, the miser, or the philosopher may object. We will not argue with them here. We will take them among the graves in our churchyards, and the epitaphs for our text. There lies a proud merchant, who spent his life in toil to gain riches,which he could not take away here, a noble, who changed his glittering diamonds for the vvindiriz-qheet here, a man of science, -who devoted a long exis. tence to the acquirement ot a fund of learning, but who died in ignorance of the one thing needful there, a youthf,,1 idol of her parents, who in the heyday of her existence was suddenly called away —-the spoiler came and they were childless. Will not these say. in language not to be misunderstood, Dtist thoii ii-t, an,] unto dllt tholl shalt return The rev. gentleman thus concluded his address — 11 iteri.ember what terror, what foar, what dismay the dreadful visitation yon have had excited. Hav- ing been delivered frolll the danger, be thankful for God's mercy. Escape further dangers by prayer, and on occasions like the present, when the fire of His wrath has been extinguished, when you die you shall be trophies that will not perish, and your monuments shall be those of your own happi- ness throughout the ages of the world." The Rev. Mr. Thomas, t' curate, preached in the afternoon, and took his text from the Book of Job, chap. xxxvi., verse *22,—" Who teacheth like him?" lu the course of an eloquent address the rev. gentleman remarked at some length on the recent calamity within the walls. The church was very well attended. THE FIRE IN THE TOWCR—FURTHER PARTICULARS Although public excrement has in some degree subsided, the scene on I'i id ay within i he walls was one of increased activity. About midday some alarm was occasioned by dense volumes of smoke which were seen issuing from one of the apart- menls III the Bowyer Tower, indicating that the devouring element was not yet powerless. The engines were immediately called into action, and a large quantity of water being thrown upon the spot, the smouldering flame was again extinguished. The scaffolding erected in front of the Grand En- trance for the purpose of removing the sculptured coat of arms (and which has been contracted for by Messrs. Harrison) is now nearly completed, and hopes are entertained that it will be taken down with very little injury. This fine work of art was executed by the celebrated Gibbons, a fact not before stated, and great commendation is due to the Board of Ordnance lor their attempt to save it. ft is divided into several compartments, and will he thus more easily removed from its present peril- ous position. Colonel Gtirwood, who, it will be remembered, left England for the continent on Saturday morning last, has not yet retlll npd. Despatches were for- warded to him on Monday, acquainting him with the melancholy disaster, but it is supposed that they have not yet reached his hands. The Board of Ordnance met asain on Friday, and proceeded with the investigation, Colonel Peel in the chair. Mr. Swifte, the keeper of the jewels, and several gunsmiths employed in thp apartments where it is supposed the lire originated, were examined, but prc),otind secrecy is observed with regard to the disciosures. No person is allowed access to the ruin's, unless provided with an order in M'ljor EL-ington's name, and it is to be regretted that even this well-timed regulation does not w ho'ly proteot the relics from further mutilation. A gen- tleman, provided with an order, was observed on Friday throwing brickson the Waterloo trophy, for the purpose of securing some fusee-balls which still maintained their original position. The Map Office, which occupies the north-paslern corner of the Quadrangle, and which has suffered very mate- rially from the action of the tire, is now quite deserted. It had long been the wish oi the officers of the Survey Department to remove their head- quarters to Southampton and many of the presses and linings having been seriously injured by hasty removal oil flit, of the fire, the Bo..rd ot Ordnance have directed that suitable apartments should be immediately prepared for them at the above port. That portion of the Tower denominated the "View Depariiiieiit," in which the arms were inspected previous to being brought into service, iq entirely destroyed, and myriad" (it may almost be said) of cavalry swords, carbines,. and fusees were blended in one undistinguishable mass in the cellars beneath. It is not a little singular that the percussion room, which is more combustible than any other apartment, is a'most untouched by the fire, the roof alone being seriously damaged. The reporter was favoured by Mr. Swifte with an opportunity of viewing the ruins from the terrace in front of his residence The scene of desolation is here observed to the greatest advantage, and the smouldering ruins here and there throwing up a glimmering flame, have a singularly awful appear- ance. In some places there may be seen large cables apparently uninjured, which, on a closer examination, crumble to the touch. Several artists were engaged throughout the day in making sketches of the ruins from various posi- tions, and the inijoiiihle "George" has visited the wreck of those scenes so forcibly depicted by himself in Ainsworth's Tower of London- It is stated that the Rev. Herny Melville, who, it will be remembered, wa" appoinled by the Duke of Wellington to the chaplaincy of the Tower about 12 months since, has returned from the con- tinent, where he has been residing for the benefit of his health during the last six months, aud "ill preach in the church of St. Peter ad Vinctila on Sunday next. The admission will be by tickets only to non-residents within the Tower.

FRAUDULENT ISSUE OF EXCHEQUER…

IRELAND.

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.P O E T ti Y.

ORIGINAL CHARADES.