All the aqueducts, pipes, and sluices were dry, and the Thames water-tower was found to be out of order, and the pipes connected with it empty.

To add to the calamity, the tide was out, and it was not only difficult, but dangerous, to obtain water from the river.

The scanty supply served rather to increase than check the flames.

All sorts of rumours prevailed among the crowd.

It could no longer be doubted that the fire, which kept continually breaking out in fresh places, was the work of incendiaries, and it was now supposed that it must have been caused by the French or the Dutch, with both of which nations the country was then at war, and the most fearful anticipations that it was only the prelude of a sudden invasion were entertained.