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opposite houses； and lighted up not only the pale and wondering
faces at the windows； but the inmost corners of each habitation—
when through the deep red heat and glow； the fire was seen
sporting and toying with the door； now clinging to its obdurate
surface； now gliding off with fierce inconstancy and soaring high
into the sky； anon returning to fold it in its burning grasp and lure
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it to its ruin—when it shone and gleamed so brightly that the
church clock of St Sepulchre’s so often pointing to the hour of
death； was legible as in broad day； and the vane upon its steeple…
top glittered in the unwonted light like something richly
jewelled—when blackened stone and sombre brick grew ruddy in
the deep reflection； and windows shone like burnished gold；
dotting the longest distance in the fiery vista with their specks of
brightness—when wall and tower； and roof and chimney…stack；
seemed drunk； and in the flickering glare appeared to reel and
stagger—when scores of objects； never seen before； burst out upon
the view； and things the most familiar put on some new aspect—
then the mob began to join the whirl； and with loud yells； and
shouts； and clamour； such as happily is seldom heard； bestirred
themselves to feed the fire； and keep it at its height。
Although the heat was so intense that the paint on the houses
over against the prison； parched and crackled up； and swelling
into boils； as it were from excess of torture； broke and crumbled
away； although the glass fell from the window…sashes； and the lead
and iron on the roofs blistered the incautious hand that touched
them； and the sparrows in the eaves took wing； and rendered
giddy by the smoke； fell fluttering down upon the blazing pile； still
the fire was tended unceasingly by busy hands； and round it； men
were going always。 They never slackened in their zeal； or kept
aloof； but pressed upon the flames so hard； that those in front had
much ado to save themselves from being thrust in； if one man
swooned or dropped； a dozen struggled for his place； and that
although they knew the pain； and thirst； and pressure to be
unendurable。 Those who fell down in fainting…fits； and were not
crushed or burnt； were carried to an inn…yard close at hand； and
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dashed with water from a pump； of which buckets full were passed
from man to man among the crowd； but such was the strong
desire of all to drink； and such the fighting to be first； that； for the
most part； the whole contents were spilled upon the ground；
without the lips of one man being moistened。
Meanwhile； and in the midst of all the roar and outcry； those
who were nearest to the pile； heaped up again the burning
fragments that came toppling down； and raked the fire about the
door； which； although a sheet of flame； was still a door fast locked
and barred； and kept them out。 Great pieces of blazing wood were
passed； besides； above the people’s heads to such as stood about
the ladders； and some of these； climbing up to the topmost stave；
and holding on with one hand by the prison wall； exerted all their
skill and force to cast these fire…brands on the roof； or down into
the yards within。 In many instances their efforts were successful；
which occasioned a new and appalling addition to the horrors of
the scene： for the prisoners within； seeing from between their bars
that the fire caught in many places and thrived fiercely； and being
all locked up in strong cells for the night； began to know that they
were in danger of being burnt alive。 This terrible fear； spreading
from cell to cell and from yard to yard； vented itself in such dismal
cries and wailings； and in such dreadful shrieks for help； that the
whole jail resounded with the noise； which was loudly heard even
above the shouting of the mob and roaring of the flames； and was
so full of agony and despair； that it made the boldest tremble。
It was remarkable that these cries began in that quarter of the
jail which fronted Newgate Street； where； it was well known； the
men who were to suffer death on Thursday were confined。 And
not only were these four who had so short a time to live； the first to
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whom the dread of being burnt occurred； but they were；
throughout； the most importunate of all： for they could be plainly
heard； notwithstanding the great thickness of the walls； crying
that the wind set that way； and that the flames would shortly reach
them； and calling to the officers of the jail to come and quench the
fire from a cistern which was in their yard； and full of water。
Judging from what the crowd outside the walls could hear from
time to time； these four doomed wretches never ceased to call for
help； and that with as much distraction； and in as great a frenzy of
attachment to existence； as though each had an honoured； happy
life before him； instead of eight…and…forty hours of miserable
imprisonment； and then a violent and shameful death。
But the anguish and suffering of the two sons of one of these
men； when they heard； or fancied that they heard； their father’s
voice； is past description。 After wringing their hands and rushing
to and fro as if they were stark mad； one mounted on the
shoulders of his brother； and tried to clamber up the face of the
high wall； guarded at the top with spikes and points of iron。 And
when he fell among the crowd； he was not deterred by his bruises；
but mounted up again； and fell again； and； when he found the feat
impossible； began to beat the stones and tear them with his hands；
as if he could that way make a breach in the stro