100 ACCIDENT BY FIRE. 



Tlie Kurrachee papers some days afterwards 

 noticed the dreadful death of a lady and her 

 child on board one of these boats, which, when 

 fastened to the shore for the night, by some 

 negligence of the servants, caught fire, and both 

 were bm^ned to death before assistance could be 

 rendered by the lady's husband, who had 

 jumped overboard with the two elder children, 

 which were both saved. I am only surprised 

 that accidents by fire do not more frequently 

 occur on board these boats, from the inflam- 

 mable nature of the materials wherewith they 

 are covered, such being reed mats and straw, 

 or rather grass thatch, which is generally as dry 

 as tinder. These boats, when so fitted up are 

 very comfortable, unless too much crowded ; but 

 most travellers have the greater part of their 

 servants and baggage in a second boat, to allow 

 more space for themselves. 



