The Natural History of Selborne

A patent machine, called a Fire Escape (rather perhaps a ‘Scape fire) was brought along Fleet street.  It consisted of a Ladder, perhaps 38 feet in length, which turned on a pivot, so as to be elevated or depressed at will, & was supported on timber frame-work, drawn on wheels.  A groove in each rail of this ladder-like construction admitted a box or hutch to be drawn up or let down by a pulley at the top round & by a windlass at bottom.  When the ladder is set up against a wall, the person in danger is to escape into the hutch, then drawn to the top.  That the ladder may not take fire from any flames breaking out below, it is defended all the way by a sheathing of tin.  Several people, it seems, had illiberally refused the Patentee the privilege of trying his machine against their houses:  but Mr White, on application, immediately consented; when the ladder was applyed to a sash on the second story, & a man was hoisted up, & let down with great expedition, & safety, & then a couple of boys went together.  Some spectators were of opinion that the hutch or box was too scanty or shallow, & for that security it ought to be raised on the sides and lower end by a treillis of strong wire, or iron-work, lest people in terror & confusion should miss of their aim & fall over to the ground.  This machine was easily drawn by four men only.  The ladder, the owner told us, would reach to a third story, when properly elevated.  The name of the Inventor is Mounsieur Dufour.