ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 68, 21 November 1844, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Destructive Fire on the Thames. — On Thursday at ernoon, a large Bark fchitjh was being towed down the river from tlie London Docks, on arriving opposite Gn.vesend, was discovered to be on tire ; and an aiarm being given to the tug steamer towing her, made for the Essex shore, about a quarter of a mile below Tilbury Fori, where, from the rapid increase of the fire, it was found necessary for the safety of the shipping in the river, to scuttle the vess.,l, as soon as the beisons on board were taken off. The name of the now sunken ship is the " John Woodall," of Liverpool, with an outward bound cargo for the Cape of Good Hope, and Sydney—having several passengers for the two former places, and emigrants for the latter place, on board, all of whom were safely landed at Gravesend, and on the opposite shore.— Newcastle Advertiser and Commercial Herald. The Duke of Wellington, who continues n the enjoyment of excellent haelth, wil cmplete his 75th year on the lstlof June , Fire at a Jews' Synagogue.— Death of the Rabbi and his Daughter.—About half past two o'clock onThu'sday morning afire broke out in the house of Mr. Aaron Jacobs, a Jewish rabbi, St. Ebbe Street, Oxford The house soon became a complete wreck, and the unfortunate man and his eldest daughter Rebecca, perished in the flames. The inmates of the house consisted of six^ persons—Mr, Jacobs, his wife', §ofi, and three daughters. He assisted his wife, son, and two youngest children to escape out of the window, and they were caught as they alighted without injury, though of course only in their nightclothes. The body of the father was found in a small closet at the top of the house, whither it is conjectured he had gone to secure his property, and was suffocated before he could make his escape, 'What confirms this opinion is the fact, that a heap of gold and silver coin, with other valuables, were discovered under the body when found. The body of Rebecca, only 16 years of age, was discovered in the cellar. As Mr. Jacobs was a rabbi, he will be interred in London. Among the property consumed was a Hebrew Bible, printed in Foland on vellum, which the Jews held in particular veneration, as it had been con* secrated by the high priest. The deceased was 54 years of age, and was much respected in Oxford.

Her Majesty's Birthday,— Thursday being specially appointed for the celebration of Her Majesty's birthday, the Queen held a drawing-room at St. James's Palace. To give an account of the magnificent assemblage ,of the noble, the rich, the learned, and, though last not least, the beautiful, that attended to do homage to our gracious sovereign, would far exceed our limits, The presentations were very numerous, and the dresses of the ladies embraced, as usual, every variety of style, according to the tast of the wearer. The dress worn by Her Majesty was a court costume, composed of a white crape dress, over white grosde Naples, and trimmed with crape folds and white roses ; train and body of rich white gros de Naples, covered with crape, and trimmed crape with white roses. Headdrees, plume of white feathers and white crape lappets. The King of the French.—We understand that there no longer exist any doubts respecting the visit of the King of the French to this country. The precise period of his Majesty's arrival has not yet been definitely decided ; but there is, Jwe believe, every reason to suppose that he will land at Portsmouth. His Majesty has selected Portsmouth, in preference to Southampton, at the suggestion of some naval officers, on account of there being a clear channel at all times ofthe tide at the former places— Morning Post. The mammoth Steam-ship " Great Britain" was definitively appointed to proceed on her first voyage from England to New York on the 25th of May last, some conception of the vastnes of her sixe may be formed from the fact that her burthen is 3,500 tons, and her engines 1,000 horse power, whilst those of her sister ship, the " Great W e stern,'' are respectively 1,600 and 450 London Mail. Deal.—The atmosphere was, on Tuesday last, so rarified, that vessels could be seen wi h the naked eye leaving the harbour of Calais.