Page 187 - Reading Mercury

ruin of vast extents of property, no matter how precious, tend, as it were in a moment,
to annihilate, and bury in dismay, all the domestic comforts, the quiet privacy, and the
normal enjoyments even of the happiest and wealthiest of homes.
Shortly after one o’clock (at which time we believe Mr. Walter and his family were
from home), the flames were discovered in one of the rooms occupied by the servants,
and forming the extremity of the left wing of the mansion, having originated, as it is
supposed, in the kitchen flue. An alarm was instantly raised, and expresses were
dispatched to Wokingham and Reading, without delay, to procure the assistance of the
engines, the speedy progress of which, in the direction of Bear Wood, gave rise to the
most intense consternation and excitement, and soon the roads leading to the park
presented throngs of people, in vehicles and on foot hastening towards the spot with
almost breathless anxiety and apprehension. We were not, ourselves, among the first
to witness the roof and floorings of the buildings already described crumbling into
ashes, and hourly threatening destruction to the splendid conservatory and mansion
immediately adjacent; but the scene presented to us was still of the most terrific
character, and were it not for the unabated exertions of those worthy men who, almost
at the risk of their own lives, were engaged in cutting off the connexion between the
burning timbers and the stately apartments in which the family resided, the entire ruin
of the whole property must have been inevitable.
The whole of the elegant furniture, and Mr. Walter’s celebrated collection of the
most valuable paintings had, by this time, been carefully removed, while the
carpeting, beds, &c., lay scattered on the lawn in front of the house, which, in a few
hours, was completely stripped of its contents. We observed the members of Mr.
Walter’s family, and their friends, superintending these proceedings with as much
calmness as could possibly be manifested under similar circumstances; and, although
we fear some valuable property must have been lost or materially injured during and
subsequent to their removal, we sincerely trust that this was not the case. A supply of
water was rapidly obtained from the lake and conveyed through the medium of the
engines (which were arranged in a line) to the flames, the progress of which were,
after some time, effectually resisted, and the damage confined to the wing in which
the fire originated. The engines in use were—one belonging to J. Simonds, Esq., of
Sindlesham, (the first on the spot), one from Wokingham, and two from Reading, and
all of them were brought into efficient play soon after their arrival.
By 7 o’clock the fire was completely suppressed, and no further danger was
apprehended, although it will be some time before the mansion can again be rendered
in a habitable condition. We rejoice to know that the mischief ended where it did,
thanks to the united energies of the neighbouring peasantry and inhabitants, whose
conduct on the occasion bore a striking contrast to that of some labourers who forced
themselves into the ranks, and were repeatedly threatening to discontinue their labours
unless supplied with beer, which they must have well known was not readily
procurable in that neighbourhood and at such a moment.
We understand that a large party was to have been entertained at Bear Wood, in the
evening, preparations for which were being made when the fire broke out.

th
Sat 24 Dec
VINE’S CONCERT
th
Mr. Vine’s concert, on Wednesday, the 14 inst., although not so fully attended as
we expected, went off in a style which highly delighted the audience, and must have
been gratifying to the performers. Miss Towers, the principal vocalist, fully sustained
our anticipations. She sang the beautiful ballad of Nelson—“I would I were a fairy,”

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