5 JANUARY 1889, Page 11

There is a general impression in the public mind that

fires in London increased during 1888, and it is satisfactory to find that it is inaccurate. According to the official report of the Fire Brigade, though fires in 1888 were of a severe kind, they sank in number from 2,363 in 1887, to 1,884 in the past year. Six a day is, however, quite enough, and we are not sure that the true explanation of the decrease, if it could be given, would content anybody. The year 1888 was comparatively a prosperous year, and insurance offices know well that it is in unprosperous years that fires grow frequent. It is such a relief to the struggling tradesman to get rid of his unsaleable stock, and be compensated for it, as if purchasers were corn. peting to take it away.