LONDON JOTTINGS.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 232, 8 January 1898, Page 6 (Supplement)

LONDON JOTTINGS.

[BY OUlt LADY ORBESIO.JDENT.]

THE GREAT FIRE. I little thought when I despatched my last budget of Loudon gossip that tho most important subject I would have to write about by this mail would be that most dreaded of all calamities that can befall London, viz., a city lire. Neither did the hundreds, I may say thousands, of the London working world, including rich and poor, masters and men, think, as they hurried along last Friday morning at breakfast time to the scene of their daily labours, that in a few short hours so many of their hopes would lie shattered—fortunes already made, others in anticipation, hard-earned savings of many a day's toil and work, all gone ! There have been many great iires here at various times, even on tho spot where this occurrc.l, but this one is considered to be the worst which has happened since the Great Fire of IGGG, It is almost a matter of surprise that greater damage was not done, for the streets aro so narrow, the big, high warehouses full of ignitable stuff, as well as other buildings, are so close together and many of them very old, that with every shifting of tho wind fresh cause of alarm seemed to arise. It shews with what celerity the " general call" was answered by the Fire Brigade, for the first engine to arrive was there in four minutes' time, and within 30 minutes the call had been answered from all stations. As there seemed a likelihool of great de'ay owing to tho innumerable " blocks " of vehicles crowding the streets, Commander Wells, without furthcr'hesitation, ordered Jumbo, which is the most powerful engine in the world, to be driven on to the pavement, and, amid the cheering of the people, Jumbo dashed along at headlong spied, regardless of all obstacles. Commander Wells, though only a young man, showed great decision and good management throughout. An immense pile of printers' buildings flared up within 200 yards of tho General Post Office, and great masses of smoke rolled away, just missing the dome of St. Paul's. The famous old Church of St. Giles, in Cripplegate, where Milton worshipped and was buried, where Oliver Cromwell was married in his twenty-first year, and with which other historical characters were conuected, had a very narrow escape, and the Vicarage has been deserted by its occupants. The fire could not have happened at a worse season of the year, aud will fall heavily on the hundreds of women and girls employed in the warehouses, as well as on the men. In Hamswcll-street alone, which is utterly destroyed, 1000 workmen were engaged. In one way only has this not been so calamitous as other fires, for, strange to say, not a single instance of loss of life is known to have occurred, owing partly to it being in the daytime, also to numbers of employees being absent at dinner, but also to the praiseworthy and courageous conduct of the police and firemen. There were fainting fits among the factory girls as many of them escaped along the roofs, but no cases taken to hospital or requiring ambulance aid. Some of the firemen were hurt, but would not leave their post. The way these brave men worked marks them as well worthy to be called heroes up on high, on rapidly - falling buildings ; down below, underneath the fiercest blaze, with the flames licking them with flery tongues, so that often the hose had actually to be turned on them. Here and there, regardless _ of every danger, these 300 devoted men plying over 50 engines, showed that Englishmen can still do their duty ! We are proud of our country, and of our Queen, God bless her ! and well may she too be proud of her people, for whether facing their enemies' fire on the battlefield or working for their fellow creatures under a lire from which there was no escape, like that of last Friday, thoy have ever proved themselves worthy of the name of Englishmen. The police at their post found their work no sinecure. The aid of all night, as well as clay, police was in requisition, and to clear the streets and control the crowd was no joke, for when the fire began it must be remembered the thoroughfares were already crowded with vans, carriers' carts, 'buses, the usual throng of pedestrians, workpeople, business men and women pouring in unci out of different places; then, when the alarm was raised, fresh crowds hurried up, making the streets utterly impassable, and until the police stopped all traffic, cleared off the vehicles, and forcibly bore down upon the dense mass of people, chasing them in earnest into every idloy and courtyard possible, and thonbarricading all the outlets, it was almost impossible for the fire engines to work freely. For hours the tons and tons of water poured on the flames seemed to have no effect, the constant escape of gas from broken pipes adding to the difficulty. Over and over again, when one part seemed quenched, up would spurt ft name of gas and start it again. Jt addod greatly to the wildnoss of the scene to see the gas flaming up from the broken posts on tho pavement like innumerable torches. Added to all this, a friend, who is engaged in the city, told me tho noiso arising from different sources was awful! The roaring of the flames, the indescribable smotherod sound of the rushing people, tho whistling and pumping of the engines, the swish of the spouting of water and hissing of the steam as fire and water came in contact, the crash of buildings as one after another fell in, and constant gas explosions, all these together were enough to unnerve the stoutest heart. The bulk of the firms are insured, but it is no joke having to rebuild large premises, buy new stock, and create a business afresh. I only notice one firm connected with New Zealand—that of Nathan and Go. Undor the present system of heavy insurances covering one another, it will not fall on any one insurance office more heavily than another. A fund has already been commenced to assist the thousands who, for the time being, will bo out of work, and up to last night, the 24th, ovor £2OOO had been raised aud 1000 bread and coal tickets given by the London Philanthropic Society. Happening just now, and close on other things for which large subscriptions have been given, it comes rather hard, even on what may be termed the wealthy class, as there are all the vegular charities to be supported, and their name is legion. I see there arc some forthcoming concerts to be given in aid of some colonial charitipSj so there again the Londoners' puvse strings will have to be opened- Certainly England sceins to bo always engaged in giving ! It was with the greatest difficulty that anyone, whether newspaper reporter or business owner, could, even the first day after the fire, find the smallest loophole to get near the scene, for what with still collapsing buildings, constant gas explosions, and other unforeseen casualties, every approach was attonded with danger, and the police stood firm as a rock, courteous as ever, but deaf to all entreaties to pass the barricades, for the surging mass of people never seemed to decrease, and I could plainly understand as I watched the scene of desolation myself from a position I managed to obtain how dangerous it wculd be if the people once broke through and there was a "scare" of any kind. Even the workmen now em-, ployed in demolishing and clearing away run great risk. MEMORIAL SERVICE. To turn to other subjects: It is but a fortnight since I was oii the very spot of last week's devastation, when I attended the services at St. Paul's in memory of the Duchess of Teck, and it was indeed most impressive. As it took place at one o'clock, the usual busy time in the city, the progress of both pedestrians and 'bus riders was very slow, particularly the latter ; indeed, had it not been for the long distance to be traversed, it would have been much quicker going on foot, for the "blocks." which constantly occurred, were innumerable. Whou at last I entered the dimly-lighted Cathedral, an hour and a-half before the fixocl time, I found vast numbers already soatod, and at first almost despaired of obtaining a seat at all, but I find that patience and quiet persistence generally prove victorious, even in a London crowd, and after all I got a fairly good and comfortable sent. It was surprising to see the unceasing stream of people still continuing to throng the aisles, but a kind of hush reigned throughout, as if all felt the mournfuluess of the occasion. Everyone moved so noiselessly along, not a sound was heard, except now and then as each area was filled, you heard the low, deep voice of the officer in charge say, " Put up the barrier," and then the red silken rope was stretched across, by which a policeman stood and effectually stopped further ingress. Just before the entrance of the Lord Mayor and Corporation, in their robes of office, and who were met by the clergy aud choir at the docr- 4 Chopin's Funeral March was heard stealing forth on the organ, The second movement of that beautiful composition, played with the llute stop, was most 'QYciy; it souulcd like some sad, swoet

voico singing a lament for her who has been aptly called "a Royal lady with a Royal heart," and whoso goodness will long be remembered by the many whom she befriended during her life. The music throughout was soft and subdued, and a> the service proceeded—still so sad and sweet, with the voices of the choir boys rising and falling in the nuthems and in the different minor chants of the Psalms, I think it must have been a very cold heart indeed not to have been touched. I saw many a strong man and well-dressed "swell" overcome by emotion. Nearly everyone was in mourning ; in fact, I only noticed about half-a-dozen, as far as I could see, who had any colour about their dress at all. It was computed there were between four and five thousand persons present.