Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

From a London Paper, received by the Ship Woodrop Sims, capt. Haynes, 32 days from Lisbon.

London, July 13.

Last night French and Dutch papers to the 5th and 8th inst. reached town. They are rendered more interesting than usual by the details they contain of a melancholy event which took place at a fete given on the 2d of July, by the Austrian ambassador, at his hotel in Paris, in honor of Napoleon's marriage with the arch-duchess Maria Louisa.—All the foreign nobility, as well as the crowned heads still in the French capital, and the emperor and empress, were present. Extensive preparations had been made, and magnificence and taste were equally displayed. After enjoying the varied pleasures of the evening, the company repaired to the ball-room, which had been erected with boards in the garden, and was ornamented with muslin curtains and gauze draperies. French cotillions and Scotch reels succeeded each other until a spark from a wax taper set a window-curtain in a blaze. Several Austrian noblemen attempted to tear it away, but in vain; the flames spread with the greatest rapidity, and a quick retreat became necessary. Napoleon, with much boasted calmness, handed his consort to his equipage, and returned to the garden to witness the progress of the fire. His sister, the queen of Naples, who had fallen, was saved by the grand duke of Wurtzburg, and, notwithstanding the scene of confusion which ensued, the largest part of the company effected their escape safely. About 20, amongst whom was prince Kurakin, the Russian ambassador, were severely wounded. The princess Schwarzenberg unfortunately missed her daughter, who had been saved without her knowledge. She wandered through the crowd and over the whole garden for several hours, seeking her, and filling the air with her lamentations. Grown desperate, her maternal love led her once more to the blazing room, into which she rushed, fancying it still contained her daughter, and where she found an untimely death. Her half-consumed remains were discovered the next morning, and her loss caused universal grief. She was in the third month of her pregnancy, and particularly dear to the empress, who shed abundant tears on learning her fate.