THE LATE FIRE AT BRUNSWICK.

Evening Post, Issue 96, 31 May 1865, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE AT BRUNSWICK.

We (Morning Post) havG been favoured with the sub-joined copy of a private letter :—: — " You do not allude to the catastrophe that has happened in Brunswick, therefore I think you hive not seen an account of it in the papers, and that in any case you will like to hear some particulars, and that we are all safe, thank God. On Thursday last, 23rd, there was a grand Court balli and Alex, was in attendance on the Duke, and I went to spend the evening with a friend. The ball began at eight o'clock. At a quarter to nine a servant burst into the room I was in, saying I must come home directly, the palace was in flames. I ran all the way home, and found one gate surrounded by troops. The boys were trembling and so pale. To quiet them I said we would go down to the palace yard ; so with the tutor we went* and there a sight of horror met our eyes— the flames bursting out of about 30 windows and through 'the roof. The ' people were frantic, trying to get water ; but river, pipes, everything was frozen, and had been so for weeks. Willie and Conway were in an agony about their father, and I could hardly keep the former from rushing into the fire to look after him. How the poor frightened ladies came pouring out in their ball dresses and satin shoes through the snow ! I carried off as many as I could' to our house, and administered wine, eau de Cologne, dec. At last, thank God, Alex, came running up safe, and told us the duke was standing in the palace yard, having lost everything of personal property except the clothes he had on. Alex, went off again directly to persuade his Royal Highness to come up to us, that at least he might have a warm room ; so he came up, and Alex, gave him dry stockings and shoes, and a cap, &c. Generals, officers, orderlies, servants, and sympathising friends kept tearing in. and out of the house. Then/quantities of plate were carried up for safety. At last the exquisite ' Quadriga ' crashed in, and I think there were then few tearless eyes. • • • Alex, sent the duke, from time to time, news of the progress of the fire, %nd at a little after four o'clock wrote iihp word that the pioneers had cut through tbo 1 * roof of the third wing of the palace, and I j that the supply of water beiug then im1 mense the fire was subsiding — it had come

to within five feet of our corner. On that night I think every Brtinswicker would have laid down his life for the duke, and Alex, wrote him word that early next morning deputations would go out to Richmond to entreat him to stay here, and allow them to build up the palace. •'At 2 a.m. I went with Alex, and the boys to the front of the palace, and if I could live 200 years I never can forget the sight. The palace looked like a huge barn full of roaring fire; in the centre of the ballroom, in a bath of Haidee, lay the beautiful figure from the • Quadriga,' the Brunonia.' Nothing appeared to stop the fury of the fire. Pioneers attempted to cut through the roof, but from its beir<r of metal, it became so hot they could do nothing. As the flames came nearer and nearer, the stables and riding-school and our house wore in imminent danger. Providentially the wind blew the other way, the fire burnt all night against it. " Of course, we prepared for the worst ; and I packed the silver and gave all directions necessary in case of need ; friends came offering us their horses and help. Alex, came back with the duke, who wished for some tea, and, poor dear fellow, had some, and enjoyed it. All night we had warm rooms and tea, wine, &c, for the officers and gentlemen who kept coming in and out, and at 4,80 am. we sent dovrn provisions for the guard of 25 men, placed in the riding- school to watch the saved things. The duke would not sleep here, but drove down to his villa at Richmond (at 1 a.m.) The duke has behaved quite grandly; he has never uttered a complaint or a reproach, and makes the best of everything. The King of Hanover sent him the next day a supply of linens and necessnry things. Telegrams from every crowned head kept pouring in the whele of the 24th. Immense sympathy has been shown the duke in this really great misfortune. It is hardly possible to estimate the value of all that has been destroyed, but besides that it is co sad to lose every familiar thing, every souvenir of a lifetime. The duke only s^id, ' Try to save my father's things, but let no one risk life or limb.' "Brunswick, March I , 1865."