THE BURNING OF A DANISH ROYAL PALACE.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1489, 29 December 1884, Page 2

THE BURNING OF A DANISH ROYAL PALACE.

The Daily N ws' correspondent in Copenhagen, who was present at the burning of the Roy il Palace of Ghristioiiborg, states that the cause of tJie lire is '.till uueov'ai:i. hut that it is believed io have onginaicd in a stove in tli« j chamber upon a sc-coml floor. '• When I <-:itx'!vcl the pala-je (ijp says) at bait" past six the whole .south wing was already one vast expanse of flame, finfl all hope of saving tiiat portion of the nm-jmifirent l>uiMing was at end. ' The eftorts wt-re now directed to pre- , venting the flames attacking the princii pal front and the other wings. At the same time immense exertions were made to remove the pictai/es from the large national gallery, which was situated on the fifth and sixth floors, and also the many other costly collections, statues, gold and silver objects, li banes j and valuable papers, distributed over j more than four hundred rooms. A iitfcle past seven o'clock t!i« fl wnes bewail to attack the roof of the front building and shortly beforeeight o'clock flames were .suddenly preceived in three rooms of the north wing. How the tire came there is and most likely will ever be a mystery. It was now lmrnmg in three, separate parts of the palace. Shortly before the King, Crown Prince Frederick, Prince Vladenur, Prince Hans, and the Cabinet Ministers and courtiers had arrived post haste from Bernstovf, five miles distant, wher", when the most serious telegram arrived, they wore just sitting dowr to a banquet. About half-past nine I | was standing under the colonnade, and the enormous building appeared as one immense crater of yellow and red flames, which now rose high towards the dark sky, and again rushed with a fearful roar through the huge apertures by the burnt out window frames, while the air was filled with millions oi sparks, only to b« comcompared to a snowstorm of red hot flakes. Through the openings I could see: the flames running up and down the walls, playing with the beautiful marble friezes, devouring the great historical wall pictures, and then making the beams of the ceiling one glowing mass, until they burst, and either fell inward or were hurled out into the yard over my head. At this moment the last article was saved from the palace. The King and Princess and some few gentlemen were standing near me, when suddenly the former observed that some persons were inside in the great porch that led into the burning north wing. He inquired anxiously why they were there, 1 when an officer told him that about fifty • people were trying to save the gigantic i marble statue Hercules and Hebe, i the finest work of the sculptor Jerichar. ■ At once the King rushed through the yard and into the burning place, the Pri. cess and everyone present follow--1 As we entered the porch we perceived , a number of people trying to lift the ; immense statue on a low wagon, which had been brought in and was standing at the foot of the Queen's staircase. The task seemed impossible. In spite j of all efforts the statue would only : move by inches, and every second added to the danger, as the flames were heard roaring louder and louder overhead. The King and Princes assisted with all their power, but as the peril was rapidly increasing, the King ordered us to give it up and come away. A general cry, however arose, • We have brought it so far, let us try a few minutes more.' This undauntedness was rewarded. At once the stutue began to move, and not five minutes later it was seen standing on the middle of the car, and, amidst great cheering, was drawn out from the burning building. As the huge white object showed itself in the red glare the King and his son left the colonnade and advanced to meet the pro- . cession with uncovered heads, appearing deeply touched. This is only one example out of many of the courage which was shown by all, low and high. As soon as the whole palace was given over to the flames all efforts were made to save the church and the Thorvalden Museum, and happily in the end with almost complete success. The palace itself is now one large black ruin, from which small flames now and then still break forth. I have just returned from a melancholy ramble through the ruins. The loss from a mere pecuniary point of view is grvat, the building itself representing a value of seven millions of kroner. The King has issued a proclamation to the nation at large in which he thanks all who, by their courage and presence of mind, assisted so gre.tlj

mi savinjr the most important of the t:v:is!irc-. Unhappily several lives were lost Uuriiij/ tin- attempt to save tlie. different precious objects, 'mr. i »• tunatdy t.ot s-> many perish, d us at first was thought Th« di s -ister is entirely a national ou»». Ev^i ywin-re in towns, or in the country tin? nation is mourning over the loss of the pi <>ud historical Chridtiansborrj, the [jahici', • which w.is a living memory of so ma iy !»ai)|)y a..d proud momenta intli«uuuals ot DKinna.-k, and in tljc history of Mu* .'loyal Family."