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16 June 1898 — 3 Savile Row | |
Thursday. 16th [June 1898]. I must be very thankful that I am sitting in my own room this morning (9 AM) & not houseless & burnt out. I had been asleep about 1½ hour when Nurse Papworth opened my door & called to me there was a fire going on close to the house. I jumped up—put on my dressing gown & was following her upstairs to see where the fire was– There was a great glare all round & one could see flames above the houses. At that moment there was a great ringing & knocking at our front door & nurse & I ran down to see what it was. It was a passerby who wished to wake us & tell us what danger we were running from the proximity of the fire– As he smelt of drink we thanked him & shut the door but I ran upstairs & collected the maids who appeared one by one with pale scared faces. I then got on some warm garments—sent 2 maids to get the carrying chair & put it outside Arthur’s door in case he had to be moved– I got 2 others to carry down to the front door the tin box containing Henry’s MSS Memoirs—gave my little jewel box with my pearls to another & then we all stood in the front hall looking out of the door & watching the fire engines working. It was a little after 1 when we were first alarmed. The street was soon cleared by the police who reassured us & told us that the fire was the other side of Heddon St & was getting under controul. The firemen came in & went to the top of the house to see all was in order & finding all was right told us not to let in any one but firemen or police & went off. One policeman was very kind & sympathetic. We told him to give us plenty of notice in case of danger as we had an invalid in the house. Yes he said I know it is Mr Guest. Sir Arthur Birch told me so. The noise of the pumping of water—the roar of the fire & every now & then steam whistles of the engines was very weird. Happily Arthur slept on peacefully & was not disturbed. Abt 2.30 the fire seemed to be nearly out. A fireman came in again to examine our back premises lest sparks should have fallen amongst them– He pronounced them all right & we shut the doors. I sent the servants down to get some refreshment & they brought me some hot coffee. Nurse & I went up to Knapp’s room from whence we could watch the smoking building & see the firemen standing on the roofs holding the hoses from which poured immense jets of water. Abt 4 oclock calm was reestablished in the house & we retired to bed. I read until 6 & then got a nap till 7 when Knapp brought me my tea & the Times in wh there was a notice of a fire raging near Regent St at 2.30– We hear this morning that it took place at a printer’s office & that 2 attic rooms at No 10 in this street were burned but no lives lost. All the telegraph & telephone wires the other side of Heddon St are down & some lying across our patio. Men are already at work at them. Luckily there was hardly any wind blowing at the time & what there was seemed to blow from us. Well—when I went downstairs this morning at 10 I found that Arthur had had a very good night & had not heard a sound– He only knew that there had been a fire somewhere in the neighbourhood because the men were climbing about on the roofs near mending the telegraph wires– He asked me whether I had heard abt it or seen it & I said I had seen the light of it. I wrote a french letter for Mlle Diamanti who came to give me my French lesson at 11.30. Nellie returned before she left. Merthyr came to see Arthur. M’s cough is much better & he, Theo & Aura leave town tomorrow for good. Nellie, Rhuvon & I lunched with Arthur & then Nellie & I went for a walk to do a little shopping. Returned home at ¼ to 4 & my maid Knapp persuaded me to rest till 5 wh I did. Theo & Aura paid Arthur a visit & brought him a pineapple. Mrs Jellico came to tea. I had a visit from Mr Bishop asking me to try & find an Italian director for the Stabilimento Venezia Murano. I will write to V. Consul de Luccato. After tea Nellie went out & I sat quietly working till dinner time. Rhuvon & Nellie dined with me & then Rhuvon went & sat with his father a bit & I came to bed—but the men are at work mending the wires & in shouting to each other & making such a noise that I fear we shall get little sleep again tonight. | |
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