Philadelphia, May 14

About eight o’clock on Friday evening last, the wind blowing violently from the west and north west, a FIRE burst forth from a wooden building, situated back of Dock-street, between the bank of the United States and the Bank of Pennsylvania, and in a short time the whole range of buildings, on both sides of Relief-alley, from Dock street to Carter’s alley, was enveloped in flames.

Every exertion that could prompt the zeal and activity of our citizens, was used on this occasion – and considering the violence of the wind, the narrowness fo the alleys, and the many combustible materials, (being chiefly carpenter’s shops) ti is some consolation that the whole block was not entirely destroyed.

Such an awful scene has not been witnessed for many years in the city of Philadelphia – for two hours it appeared as if no human skill or exertion could check the destructive progress of the flames – they extended their sparks to a vast distance, and the attention of the citizens was called to many quarters. In Front street , between Walnut and chestnut streets, the house occupied by Mr. Valance was nearly destroyed by one of the combustible materials.

On such an occasion, requiring the utmost activity and exertion of every citizen willing to be useful, it might be expected that accidents would occur – but the solemn and melancholy one we have to relate may be attributed to idle curiosity. On Saturday morning a man and a boy were crushed to death by the falling in of one of the walls, a long time after the wooden part of the building had been entirely consumed.

Mr. Stone, who volunteered his assistance on the roof of one of the houses in Third street , was so enveloped in the flames, that he with difficulty made his escape, and, we are informed, now lies very dangerously ill. Another person had his leg broke, by the falling of a ladder, wan was conveyed to the Pennsylvania Hospital , where every attention will be gratuitously paid, that humanity can dictate or require.

It is said that stakes of fire were carried by the wind quite across the Delaware to the Jersey shore, in such quantities as to render it necessary for the inhabitants there to keep the roofs of their house wet.

It is remarkable that just fifteen years ago, Friday night, the same district of the city was laid to ashes by the most destructive fire which Philadelphia had ever experienced, and this is the third conflagration which has happened in the same spot in the in the month of May*.

*The following is an extract from the Gazette of the United States , of Wednesday, May 11th, 1791.

“Monday night (the 9th) between the hours of 10 and 11, the city was again alarmed with the cry of fire, which broke out in a stable near Dock-street; the building was instantly inveloped in flames, which were rapidly communicated to those adjacent; and a great destruction of property was the consequence of this disastrous event; 10 or 15 houses, shops and other buildings fell a sacrifice to the flames.

The spirit and activity of the citizens were never exerted to better effect – the weather being calm, their exertions prevented the fire from spreading beyond the buildings immediately connected, and many of those, tho’ partly burnt, were saved from total destruction.”

List of houses damaged and destroyed:

James Kerr’s house, corner of Dock Street and Goforth alley partially damaged.
Two small brick houses, adjoining the above, occupied by Mr. Dubois and Mr. Ward, damaged.
A warehouse, full of hides and oil, owned by James Molony, destroyed.
A brick house of the east side of said alley, owned by the widow Todd, damaged.
Two brick buildings, corner of said alley and Carter’s, owned by Mr. Lamar, destroyed.
A currior’s shop, brick, in Dock street , occupied by A. Lowber, destroyed.
A large brick house, occupied by Joseph Beale, cabinet-maker, and Mr. Hamilton, teacher, destroyed.
A ditto, in Dock street , corner of Relief alley, occupied by Bonfall and Son, and William McPhail, destroyed.
A ditto, in rear of the above, occupied by Robert Kean, destroyed.
Three frame houses on the east side of Relief alley, extending northward to Carter’s alley, occupied by A. Ramage, Printer’s joiner, destroyed.
A large frame joiner’s shop, fourth-west corner of Relief alley, occupied by J. Aitken, destroyed.
Three ditto adjoining the above, and extending northward to Carter’s alley, in the first of which from Dock street the fire broke out, occupied by Joseph Burr, Windsor chair and trunk maker, destroyed.
One ditto, adjoining John Aitken, on Dock street occupied by Richard Loxley, currier, destroyed.
A three story brick house adjoining the above, occupied by Oliphant and Wilson, upholsters, destroyed.
A ditto adjoining, occupied by Mr. Baldwin, shoemaker, damaged.
Four ditto, on Third street – opposite the Bank of the United States , materially damaged.
A brick house at the head of Carter’s alley, south side, occupied by Mrs. Wetherill, destroyed.
A frame blacksmith’s shop adjoining, occupied by A. Ramage, destroyed.
Two brick houses in Carter’s ally, south side, occupied by Joseph Burr and John Payne, destroyed.
A three story brick house on the north side, and occupied by John Bioren, as a Printing Office, destroyed.
A small brick stable, the property of J. Wills, destroyed.
A brick house, on Carter’s alley, opposite Relief alley occupied by James Molony, damaged.
The ships, Xenophon , Connecticut , and several other vessels at the wharves, were also frequently on fire.

A general subscription is opened in the city for the relief of the sufferers.

New York, May 16

It is with the most painful feelings of distress that it falls upon us to notice the heart-rending particulars of the explosion on board the steam boat Etna, Capt. Robinson, on her passage from Washington, New Jersey, to this city.

About half past seven o’clock on Saturday evening, near Robin’s Reef, a mile this side of the mouth of the Kills, the centre boiler of the Etna exploded, spreading instant destruction among the passengers, machinery, & c. and filling the minds of the survivors with indescribable misery, and which none can find words to give any correct idea of the horror of the dreadful scene.

The whole number of persons on board at the time of the explosion is stated at thirty-four.

It was supposed to have been three or four minutes before the explosion spent its force, and nearly fifteen minutes before the steam had cleared away so as to admit of entering the cabin, where a scene of death and terror was presented which may be imagined, but cannot be described. The bulk-head of the cabin, chairs, tables, and the bodies of the dead and dying, were all driven into one mass at the extremity of the cabin. Capt. Robinson and Mr. Meserole first entered, the latter exclaiming, “my wife! My wife!” as he caught her, and ran upon deck, only in time for her to expire in his arms. He had been married but about six weeks, when his wife was thus torn from him, in the bloom of life, and the spring-time of hope. The wife of Mr. Job Furman, his sister, and his niece, were dead when brought from the cabin, and also Miss Mary Bates. The others were all severely scalded, and several have since died.

The following persons were sent to the Hospital, viz: John Winter and John Gibbon, both of Philadelphia ; Alexander Cromwell, of Jamaica ; Nancy Dougherty, of Auburn ; Joseph Stevens, of Ireland ; Michael Eckfelt, of Philadelphia ; Thomas Braden, of Wilmington , Delaware ; and Mrs. Ann Thomas, of Philadelphia ; all but three of whom belonged to the boat.

The number of dead is nine, viz. – Mrs. Sarah Furman, aged 44; Mary Furman, maiden lady, aged 54; Mrs. Messerole, aged 22; Victor Grease, Steward; Man, unknown, found on deck; Mary Bates, aged 9; Nancy Dougherty, a native of Auburn, N.Y.; Mrs. Letty Taylor, wife of John Taylor, labourer.

The two last died at the Hospital. There are still remaining at the Hospital, Thomas Braden, of Wilmington , Del. And Michael Eckfelt, of Philadelphia , both of whom we learn are likely to recover – and, dangerously wounded, Joseph Stevens, a native of Ireland .

Also of the crew dangerously wounded: John Winter, of Philadelphia , fireman; John Gibbons, of Philadelphia ; Alexander Cromwell, of Jamaica , waiter; Margaret Cole, Cook, wounded, not considered dangerous, was carried to a private house.

Mr. John Pearce and Mr. Byers, both of Philadelphia, Jonathan Case of Scheneclady; B. Arnold of Amsterdam, N.Y. and Mr. Heacokc and lady, are among those who escaped without serious injury.

The four females of Furman’s family, were taken to his house and buried from thence on Sunday afternoon. The funeral ceremonies, which were peculiarly solemn and impressive, drew together many thousands of sympathizing friends and spectators. The bodies were placed upon four hearses, and followed to the Presbyterian burying ground by an immense concourse, where they wer all deposited in one grave. The circumstances of this melancholy dispensation in the family of Mr. Furman, are of a most striking character, fitted to impress deeply upon the minds of all, the uncertainty of human life. The flood of sorrow which has thus overwhelmed the husband, father and protector, brings to mind the rapid and accumulated afflictions of Job; and all his patience, fortitude and resignation are required to bear up under this load of affliction. All the deceased left the city after nine o’clock on Saturday, to attended the funeral in the afternoon, at Elizabethtown , of Mrs. Price, a niece of Mr. Furman. While they were at the house of mourning, an infant child of Mrs. Price, closed its eyes forever, and was placed by the cold bosom of its mother, in the same coffin, and deposited in the same grave. Mr. Furman was indisposed, and the family were anxious to return the same evening. The hour when they were expected had gone by, and he was anxious about their safety, and revolving in his mind, what could have detained them, when the messenger arrived to communicate to him the sad tidings, and were soon followed by the dead bodies of his wife, daughter, sister, and niece, who went from him in health in the morning, but who were now returned to tarry a few hours on their way to the tomb. Thus were six relations of one family consigned to the “narrow cell” to which we are all bound, within the space of twenty-four hours.

ELECTRICITY NOT WHOLLY TRUSTWORTHY,

Councils' Committee on Gas Think It Unsafe to Remove the Old Lamps

When Chairman Loeblo told Councils' Committee on Gas yesterday that he had a communication from his Honor the Mayor relative to removing lamps superseded by electric lights, Mr. Monroe expressed himself. He wanted to hear the letter read. "Bring It before us," said he, "so that we can knock it out." After listening in company with his colleagues to the Mayor's views, Mr. Monroe declared that it would be "inadmissible to remove the lamps." There was no telling, he said, how soon it might be necessary to recur to their use, as electricity was not yet perfect as a means of lighting. Messrs. Graham and Newell seconded him, and, their views being adopted by the committee, it waa decided to report the ordinance unfavorably. The reverse was the case with the ordinance appropriating $25,000 for the new purifying house at the Nineteenth Ward Works, for which Director Wagner had approved a contract, and which Chief Engineer Park united with him in recommending to the committee.

After voting to recommend favorably ordinances for laying gas pipe on Bouvier, Van Pelt, Fremont, Thirteenth, Broad, Thirty-second, Siegel and Justice streets the committee adopted a motion made by Mr. Hammett to refer such ordinances hereafter to the Gas Bureau for information.

Before the adoption of the motion Mr. McMurray wanted to know If the reference invested the Chief Engineer with absolute right to say whether or not pipe should be laid. It so, he was opposed to giving anyone man such power.

"By no means," ruled the chairman, "the reference is solely that the committee may be Informed as to the necessity for the laying of pipe. The directing power belongs to this committee. It belongs to us to say whether or not pipe shall be laid.

IT HITS THE COPS
'LA GRIPPE' PROSTRATES PHILADELPHIA POLICEMEN

OVER TWO HUNDRED OF THEM SICK

New York, January 6.-Vital statistics for the twenty-four hours ending today, show the number of deaths to be 110, a decrease of nearly 100, as compared with the previous twenty-four hours. The principal causes of death were: Pneumonia, 31; plithisis, 26; bronchitis, 13; influenza 1. It is believed at sanitary headquarters that the worst of the influenza epidemic is over. The sick list in the police department, however, shows no abatement, but the reverse. At 6 o'clock this morning 415 disabled policemen were reported.

GROWING WORSE IN PHILADELPHIA

PHILADELPHIA, January 6.-The "grippe," which was thought to be decreasing among members of the police force has taken a fresh start, and after a few days' rest, it has renewed its work with increased vigor and alarming severity. Reports of the police lieutenants this morning show that the force is very much crippled, and that the renewed attacks of the "grippe" are so extensive that if it continues steps will have to be taken to keep the force to its standard sufficiency, as the policemen are overworked and unable to take the places of the sick patrolmen. In all there are now 231 patrolmen on the sick list.

Three sudden deaths, which are thonght to have resulted from one of the many forms of la grippe, were reported to the coroner this morning. In many of the cases, where the disease has made its appearance, heart failure has resulted before the symptoms were fully developed and the three deaths this morning, which the coroner will be called upon to investigate, are supposed to be from this cause. There seems to be no abatenieut in the progress of the disease throughout the city.

Deaths in the city for the week ended at noon Saturday, was 492, an increase of 126 from the previous week, and an increase of 88 from the corresponding period of last par. The principal causes of deaths were: Consumption of the lungs, 67; disease of the heart, 34; inflammation of the lungs. 71.

Dr. Arthur van Harlingen, chief of the Skin clinic, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Wm. H. Hawkes, Resident Physician of Episcopal Hospital, Philadelphia , Pa.
Rufus K. Hinton, M.D., Philadelphia , Pa.
Dr. H. Lenox Hodge, Philadelphia , Pa.
Benjamin Lee, A.M., M.D. of Philadelphia
U.S. Marine Hospital Orders--Assistant Surgeon Henry E. Muhlenberg, Jr., relieved from temporary duty at Chelsea , Mass. , and assigned to Philadelphia , Pa.
Prof. John Neill, M.D. – Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Dr. W.H. Pancoast, Philadelphia , Pa.
Dr. Robert E. Peterson, lately of this city ( Philadelphia ), has been elected “Fellow of the Linnean Society of London.”
G.B.H. Swayze, M.D., of Philadelphia , Pa.
Laurence Turnbull, M.D., Ophthalmic Surgeon to Howard Hospital , Philadelphia , Pa.
Arthur Williams, M.D., Former resident physician of the German Hospital in Philadelphia

University of Pennsylvania

     Those graduates of the Auxiliary Department of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania who have received the degree of doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) have organized an Alumni Association, with the object of encouraging the study of the Sciences collateral to medicine.

     In furtherance of their purpose, they have offered a prize of fifty dollars to that student who shall present the best thesis embodying original scientific investigation. This prize is to be called the “George B. Wood Prize,” in honor of the illustrious founder of this Department.

     The Association met at the University on the afternoon of commencement Day, and elected the following officers.

     President, Dr. Roland G. Curtin
     Vice President, Dr. De Forest Willard
     Recording Secretary, Charles K. Mills
     Corresponding Secretary, E.L. Evans
     Treasurer, J. Guiteras

     Executive Committee, Drs. A.W. Miller, Jas. B. Walker, J. Wm. White, Edward T. Bruen, Geo. C. Laws, G. Kerr, J.R. Partenheimer, J.R. Haynes, Robert Simpson and Andrew Macfarlane. Upon this day the following degrees were conferred.

     The degree of doctor of philosophy was conferred in course upon the following gentlemen, )doctors of medicine) upon the recommendation of the auxiliary faculty of medicine:

     B. Franklin Lautenbach, Andrew McFarlane, A.M., Harry M. Stelwagon, R.S. McCombes, Louis E. Gilliard, Wm. H. Winslow, J.A. Ogden, F.A. Hassler. On the same day the degree of doctor of medicine was conferred upon J. Sartorius Giltner, and W. Paris Dale Giltner.

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy

     The graduates of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in New York and vicinity met June 28 and organized a Society of the Alumni of the College. The following officers were chosen: President, P.W. Lercing; Vice President, W.B. Mears and T. Morgan; Secretary, W.S. Wellcome; Corresponding Secretary, Wm. Wilson; Treasury, A.J. Ditman.

The Pennsylvania State Dental Association

     Met at Harrisburg last week, and elected the following officers: President, Dr. E.L. Darley, of Philadelphia ; Vice Presidents, Drs. J.C. Green of Westchester, and C.L. Beck, of Wilkesbarre; Corresponding Secretary, Dr. H. M. Webb, of Lancaster ; Recording Secretary, Dr. R.H. Moffit, of Harrisburg ; Assistant Recording Secretary, Dr. S.H. Guilford, of Philadelphia ; Treasurer, Dr. S. Welchens, of Lancaster . The Association will hold its next annual meeting in Philadelphia , in July 1876.