THE FIRE BRIGADE.—In this fine group we See a number of magnificent fellows, fully equipped, and ready to tackle the mightiest conflagration. One of the new double cylinder fire-engines is also shown; and on the right-hand side will be seen the turncock and his assistant, whose services are indispensable to the efficient working of this organization. Some notion of the tremendous task that lies before these gallant men may be gathered from a perusal of any one of Captain Simonds's annual reports. The number of calls for fires or supposed fires received -during the year 1894 was 4,111. Of these 845 were false alarms, 205 proved to be only chimney alarms, and 3,061- were calls for fires, of which xx resulted in serious damage and 2,910 in slight damage. The number of persons seriously endangered by fire was 204, of whom 122 were saved, while 82 lost their lives. The number of journeys made by the fire-engines and hose-vans of the Brigade was 34,013, and the total distance run 69,085 miles. The quantity of water used for extinguishing fires in the Metropolis during the year was over 48 millions of gallons, or about 215,000 tons. This volume of water passed through 35 miles of hose. The Brigade now possesses 57 land fire-engine, stations, 4 floating or river stations, 56 hose-cart stations, 200 fire-escape stations, 9 steam fire-engines on barges, 51 land steam fire-engines, 8 steam-tugs, 13 barges, 95 manual fire-engines, 10 street stations, 137 horses and 791 firemen, besides hundreds of fire-escapes, ladders, carts, trucks, and other accessories. Then there are 565 call points, 20 telephones to police stations, one telegraph and 81 telephones to public and other buildings, 7 bell-ringing fire alarms, 57 alarm circuits, and 81 telephones between fire stations.