of buildings which had been constructed for heating merely by the simple combustion of wood or coal burned in open fire grates, are not at all fitted to be exposed to the intense heat given off by several of the modern stoves. The great principle of these modern contrivances was to obtain and diffuse as large a proportion of heat from as small a surface as possible, and with the least consumption of fuel; and one of the means, was limiting the draught of air. The air thus concentrated attains a very high degree of temperature, sufficient to ignite any combustible substances with which it may come in contact; besides which, the conductile power for heat of bricks and plaster becomes much modified by being constantly subjected to its influence. In this, Mr. Booth considers lies the great secret of the destruction of many modern public buildings; and the inquiry is of much public importance, because the causes of destruction may, even now, be in slow and insidious operation to the eventual destruction of other national, and particularly sacred edifices, from the general introduction of new fashioned stoves into such buildings. It was also, he remarked, notorious that there existed means of making buildings fire-proof, so that when a fire occurred, it might be confined to the apartment in which it originated.

Of the sixteen fatal fires, the following seem to require especial notice, attended as some of them have been by circumstances most distressing to the feelings of humanity, and most disgraceful to the police on duty in the several localities, who have shown a neglect and want of tact almost incredible.

May 3, 112 P. M. Mr. Berlyn, dealer in marine stores, Churchlane, Whitechapel. The bodies of the two children, Abraham Weller, and Edward Weller, were found after the fire was extinguished, at the back part of the ruins, burnt in a most frightful manner. A coroner's inquest was held the same evening, and after a lengthened and unsatisfactory investigation, a verdict of accidental death was returned.

July 2, 11 P. M. Mr. Reilly, chair-maker, Quicksett-row, Newroad, Marylebone. This fire was supposed to have been occasioned by one of Mr. Reilly's workmen, who lodged in the house, and returned home about 11 o'clock in a state of intoxication. He retired to his room, from which he never came forth alive, but perished in the funeral pyre he had unwittingly kindled, dying a most dreadful «drunkard's death.»

Three fires, as already narrated, proved fatal to firemen; one terminated fatally from a sudden explosion of gunpowder; four were fatal to children from the ignition of the beds on which they lay and three from the ignition of wearing apparel on the person.. The most extraordinary case of burning that ever came within

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my knowledge, is set forth in the following narrative from the Weekly Dispatch of May 9th last, which proves

-how frail we are,

How short our life, and how uncertain

The means that bring us to our end!»>

«SINGULAR CASE OF BURNING. -On Monday, an inquest was held at the Ormond's Head, Princes-street, Storey's-gate, Westminster, before Mr. Higgs, Coroner, on the body of Charlotte Furneaux, aged 16 months, whose death occurred under the following circumstances: - Frances Furneaux, sister to the deceased, stated that on Saturday morning she and the deceased were out walking in Tuftonstreet, when suddenly the upper part of her clothes burst out in flames. Witness cried out for help, and several people immediately came to the deceased's assistance. Deceased had no combustibles in her hand or about her dress, nor was there any one near who could have set her clothes on fire. Thos. Parry, of No. 12, Chandos-street, coach-painter, stated that he was at work on the morning in question, at No. 57, Tufton-street, and hearing screams he looked out of the window and saw deceased in the street in flames. He and other persons from the neighbouring houses rushed out and extinguished them by throwing carpets, &c., round deceased. She was most dreadfully burnt, and he instantly conveyed her to Westminster Hospital. There was no one near who could set fire to her clothing. She had on a black pinafore, but there was nothing at all remarkable about the other materials of her dress. C. H. Garstin, Esq., house-surgeon to the Westminster Hospital, stated that deceased was burnt in a most horrible manner, and it was utterly impossible that any medical skill could have saved her life. She died in great agony on the following morning. The jury returned a verdict of 'Death by burning,' there being no evidence to show how the combustion of deceased's apparel had originated.»

In my last report I mentioned that an improved marine fireengine was building for the Emperor of Russia, by Mr. Merry→ weather. During the past summer this magnificent machine has been completed, and now floats on the waters of the Neva, affording the protection of its immense power, in case of fire, to St. Petersburgh and its environs.

The Sovereigns of Prussia and of Russia have now, the one the finest steam fire-engine, the other the finest marine fire-engine in the world.

The exertions of the West of England firemen, under their excellent foreman, Mr. Connerton, continue to merit especial notice.

The promptitude of their attendance may be very well illustrated by mentioning that, in upwards of fifty instances, they have shared the rewards for early arrival, which are only allotted to the first three engines including among these, their attendance at Camberwell (twice,) Deptford, Greenwich, Blackheath, Islington, Hammersmith, and other distant places. Their zeal and activity in getting to work, on arriving at a fire, have been fully equal to their expedition in reaching it; and there have been few fires of any magnitude in the metropolis, at which the West of England firemen have not borne a conspicuous part, and greatly distinguished themselves.

DETACHED THOUGHTS.

MISCELLANEA.

the

With every year that we live, sphere of our sensibilities contracts. For every day steals from love some object whose place is filled by no new one. Thus we die by a gradual decay, till at last nothing but self remains to be embraced in the arms of our affections; and thus our sensibilities, our life, draw to a close sooner than our existence. But the heart resists this premature death with all its powers; and no sooner does it feel the chill approaching, than it concentres all its warmth into one focus. Its loss renders more fervent the love for what is left to it, and with the last object are linked the ties that bound it to all that is gone.

We are not precise enough in our distinctions when we attribute all the power of a woman to her pretty face. It may indeed begin there, but she shews her power and the great characteristic difference between her and man by a whole region of influences. It is the mild and graceful movements of the body, the sweet voice, the gentle undemonstrativeness, the yielding complaisance, the mild unobtrusiveness of intellect," that constitute the charm which we erroneously impute to the attractions of the face.

I would not be a woman, for then I could not love her. The philosopher's stone was the foundation of many a madhouse.

To hear the praise of patience is an immediate opportunity for its exercise.

Many witty sallies sting, like the bees, only once.

"

ANIMAL INSTINCT.-Many indications having a reference to approaching changes in the weather may be obtained by observing the actions of animals. The following extract from a recent number of Mr. Yarrell's History of British Birds,» vol. iii. p. 117, now in progress, will afford an apt illustration of this: "Lord Braybrooke gave me the following account of a female swan, on the small stream at Bishop's Stortford. This swan was eighteen or nineteen old, had brought up many broods, and was highly valued by the neighbours. She exhibited, some eight or nine years past, one of the most remarkable instances of the powers of instinct that was ever recorded. She was sitting on four or five eggs, and was observed to be very busy in collecting weeds, grasses, &c., to raise her nest; a farming man was ordered to take down half a load of haulm straw, with which she most industriously raised her nest and the eggs two feet and a half; that very night there came down a tremendous fall of rain, which flooded all the maltshops, and did great damage. Man made no preparation; the bird did. Instinct prevailed over reason; her eggs were above, and only just above the water.» When gnats collect themselves before the setting sun, and form a sort of vortex in the shape of a column, it announces fine weather. If they play up and down in the open air near sunset, they presage beat; if in the shade, mild and warm showers; but if they sting those passing them, cold weather and much rain may be expected. Spiders generally alter their webs once in twenty. four hours; and a rule has been deduced from this by an attentive observer of these natural prognostics, whereby to foretell the coming change. If they thus alter their web between six and seven in the evening, there will be a fine night; if in the morning, a fine day; if they work during rain, expect fine weather; and the more active and busy the spider is, the finer will be the weather. Mr. Gutch, in Meteorogical Journal.

William Newton, of Chancery-lane, civil engineer, for certain improvements in regulating the flow of air and gaseous fluids. (Being a communication.) February 25; six months to specify.

Osborne Reynolds, of Belfast, Ireland, clerk, for certain improvements in covering streets, roads, and other ways with wood and also in the means of enabling horses and other animals to pass over such roads and other slippery surfaces with greater safety than heretofore. February 25; six months.

John Birkby, of Upper Ramfold, York, card manufacturer, for improvements in the manufacture of wire cards. February 25; six months.

William Saunders, of Brighton, gentleman, for improvements in apparatus employed in roasting and baking animal food, February 25; six months!

Samuel Morand, of Manchester, merchant, for improvements in machinery or apparatus for stretching fabrics. February 26; six months.

Benjamin Gillot, of Great Saffron Hill, eutler, for improvements in heating and ventilating. February 26; six months.

. I

Marc La Riviere, of London Fields, Hackney, gentleman, for certain improvements in the machinery for figure-weaving in silk and other fabrics. March 1; six months.

Thomas Smith, of Northampton, plumber, for an improvement, or improvements in water-closets. March 1; six months.

George Carter Haseler, of Birmingham, jeweller and toy-maker, for improvements in the tops of scent bottles. March 3; six months.

Edward Slaughter, of Bristol, engineer, for improvements in the construction of iron wheels for railway and other carriages. March 4; six months.

James Clements, of Liverpool, manufacturer of toys, for improvements in composition for ornamenting glass and picture frames, and articles for interior and other decorations, also for the manufacture of toys and other fancy articles. March 4; six months.

William Palmer, of Sutton-street, Clerkenwell, manufacturer, for improvements in the construction of candle lamps. March 4; six months.

William Palmer, of Sutton-street, Clerkenwell, manufacturer, for