The Express.
London, England, 1867-12-07 00:00:00

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

Her Majesty's Theatre was last night totally
destroyed by lire. The precise origin of the cala-
mity could not be easily gleaned, consequent on
the gnat excitement that prevailed, but we were
informed that the stage doorkeeper, who sleeps on
the premises, was aroused at about 20 minutes to
11 by the smell of fire, and in almost less time
than it takes to record the fact the entire centre of
the building appeared enveloped in flames, and it
was with the utmost difficulty that he succeeded in
making his wife aware of the danger that sur-
rounded them, and so enable her to effect her
escape. From the appearance of the fire as first
seen it would seem to have commenced at
the top part of the theatre, in the car-
penters' workshops, and it is conjectured
that an explosion of gas was the cause, as
several of the visitors at Thomas's Hotel, in
Charles-street, at the side of the theatre, distinctly
heard a loud report just before the flames attracted
their attention. No sooner was the report made
known than the telegraph wires and special mes-
sengers were brought into requisition to solicit
assistance ; and but a short time elapsed before the
whole of the engines belonging to the Metro-
politan Fire Brigade were present, or on their
way to the scene of the conflagration. In
the meantime, Superintendent Walker, In-
spector Silverton, Inspector Brennan, and a
large body of the several divisions of police, had
arrived to keep off the crowd that had already as-
sembled ; but such was the conduct of the mob
that until the appearance of a numerous detach-
ment of the Scots Fusilier Guards, under the com-
mand of Captain Campbell and Lieut. Scott,
nothing but disorder prevailed. Sergeant Dallas,
who had been superintending the guard at Drury-
lane Theatre, made his way direct to the fire to
render aid, instead of returning to his barracks.
It happened that Superintendent Hewett, of
the fire brigade, was passing just at the
time the flames were first seen ; and his
advice was gladly received and acted on
before the engines were in attendance. That the
fire commenced in the centre of the house seem*
certain, and it required sound judgment in direct-

DITAMPZD, ld.

ing the course in which the firemen were to apply
ithe hose. The flames assumed a fearful aspect,
reaching an immense heiot and illuminating London
for miles round. In the Haymarket, Charles-street,
and Pall-mall the steam and manual fire engines
were being worked most vigorously ; but appeared
to produce little effect on the work of devastation,
which threatened the entire destruction of the
establishment of Madame Epitaux's (cook and con-
fectioner), and other premises on either aide of the
building. At 11 o'clock the fire was at its height,
and Mr. Mapleson, who had been telegraphed for,
only arrived in time to see the whole of the interior
of the building in a huge body of flames.
The Marquis of Ormonde and Quartermaster
' Harley, of the lit Life Guards, from
Knightsbridge, and a body of men under
their command, now reached the scene of action,
which was by this time as animated as could well
be coLceived. Dense mamas were congregated in
every available part, and at the several club houses
in Pall-mall and near the Haymarket the windows
and balconies were lined with/spectators, and even the
equestrian statues at Charing-cross were completely
covered with persons attracted thither by the reflec-
tion of theflamea. Thebodyof LifeGuardsrendered
material assistance at the manual engines. At
about half-past 11 much excitement was occasioned
by its being made known that a large quantity of
gunpowder was stored at the extreme end of the
building nearest Pall-mall, and on its being made
known to the salvage corps immediate steps were
taken for its removal, and they succeeded in taking
the whole of it away in perfect safety. Not a
particle of the building, it is feared, will be saved ;
and in addition to the whole of the extensive ward-
robe, and the valuable musical scores, we were
informed that it was impassible to gain access to
the treasury, where the books of the theatre
were kept, and which it is feared will all be
destroyed. At half-past 1 the flames were almost
got under, but the engines will continue play until
a late hour this morning. Much confusion and
alarm was occasioned among the occupiers of the
Opera-oolonnade running et the back of the
theatre, and much damage must ensue from the
removal of goods and the effect of the water. The
former theatre was destroyed by fire on the 17th of
June, 1787, and the building now destroyed was
opened September 22, 1791. Captain Shaw and
Captain Hodge, aa well as several of the Metropo-
litan Volunteer Fire Brigade, were present.

A further account says it has for years been the
custom to keep experienced firemen night and day
on duty in the theatre, and they had atevery half
hour to go over the establishment to see that there
was no danger from a fire. In order that these
necessary precautions should be fully carried out,
there were placed in various parts of the house
" tell tale' clocks which indicated whether the
different compartments had been visited or
not. Last night two firemen were as usual
on duty, and they assert that at half-past
10 o'clock they went their rounds, and found all
correct. At five minutes before 11 o'clock a person
connected with the theatre called out to the firemen,
" There is something the matter, I think, on the
stage." The fireman came out, and upon looking
saw a glimmering light near the back of that part of
the building partially obscured by a fiat. Upon
getting to the place, they found the flooring of the
stage burning with great fury, apparently from the
bottom. Under this part of the building are im-
mense receptacles for the stowage of old scenery,
properties. &c., which were of necessity of a highly
inflammable character, and the flames seizing them
caused the fire to spread with rapidity. Upon the
roof of the building was an immense tank of water
capable of discharging 30 tons per minute, and
there were lengths of leathern hose attached
thereto, so that every part of the theatre could be
reached in case of a tire taking place ; in fact, the
appliances were so perfect that the proprietors
imagined that with proper care on the part of the
firemen and the water at hand, the establish-
ment never could present the picture it does
at the present moment. The firemen at
once turned on the water, and every hose
in boxes, pit, galleries, and even Back and Co.'s
patent hydrants were charged, and water in abun-
dance was poured upon that part of the theatre in
flames, but ineffectually, for the fire shot forth in
sheets, soon caught her Majesty's box, then darted
into the others on the grand tier, and across
the vast expanse of the building to the
other side. The pit at this time had not
become ignited ; but the Queen's box fell in,
firing first the pit stalls and then the seats be-
hind. Then a scene that can hardly be described
took place, the firemen being surrounded by flames
on either side, and the burning embers falling
upon them compelling them at last to make a re-
treat. When the news was communicated to the
Metropolitan Fire Brigade, with all possible expedi-
tion Captain Shaw, the chief officer of the brigade,
arrived with about a dozen engines. There were
also several volunteer engines on the spot, and the
London Salvage Corps, under the direction
of Mr. Superintendent Swanton. Fortunately
at this particular part of the thoroughfare run
the mains of the New River, the Grand Junction,
and the Chelsea companies water works, the
whole of which fielded abundant supplies. Hun-
dreds of tons of water were being scattered upon
the flames but with little effect. The flames shot
out of the different windows and through the roof,
and rose high into the air.
Myriads of sparks fell upon the buildings on the
opposite side of Pall-mall, but fortunately they
escaped ; not so with the houses on the western
colonnade of the theatre, for they are for the moat
part destroyed ; and the backs oi the shops on the
south aide of the building were at the time this re-
port was written burning furiously, and it is feared
that the picture gallery of Mr. Graves, near the
corner of Waterloo-place, has been partially if not
wholly consumed.
By two o'clock this morning the firemen had the
gratification of seeing the fire begin to succumb,
but still there seemed no probability of the flames
being entirely subdued for some hours to come.
Some of the valuable music was saved at the com-
mencement of the fire, and it is stated that a collec-
tion worth some thousand pounds has been saved
by being deposited in one of the fire-proof safes.
The theatre was insured in nearly all the principal
London and provincial fire offices. An inquiry
will be made this day, to ascertain, if possible, how
the disaster took place.
Another reporter states that Madame Epitaux's
restaurant and Thomas's Hotel were not touched.
The people at Thomas's say they distinctly heard
the noise of an explosion, such as would be caused
by gas, and that fact leads them to suppose that
the sad calamity was caused by such an explosion.
As may naturally be supposed„ no clear informa-
tion could be ascertained during the excitement
which prevailed.
Another reporter writes
. .

Her Majesty's Theatre is now a mem of ruins. Be-
tween eleven and twelve o'clock last night the build-
ing was disoovered to be on tire. The glare of the con-
flagration illuminated the greater part of the metropolis,
and in a abort time thousands of persons assembled in Pall
mall and the Haymarket, and what with the an ful appear-
ance of the fire, the crackling of timber, the noise of fire.
engines, and the hubbub of the surging crowd, the scene
was one long to be remembered. The pile of buildings in
which the theatre was situ ate seemed to be completely at the
mercy of the flames, and the only circumstances which caused
the awe-stricken bystanders to refrain from believing that
the ravages of the devouring element would extend up
Pall-mall on either side, was that the wind was northerly,
and that therefore the consequences would be less terrible
than they otherwise might have been. Still the Are raged
with tremendous effect, and the united effort& of the ere-
men seemed for a time ineffectual. The flames showed
themselves in unabated fury, and defied the streams of
water which were being poured from the hose of the va.

(TWOPENCE

rious engines, which were brought into requiation at vs.
rious parts of the building, and in one or two instances
with imminent lad to the firemen, who
raised them to the top of the pile by means of
ropes. Eventually the fire began to give way,
and at one o'dosk this morning it had been pretty well
mastered. The theatre was then activists:, gutted, and
nothing but its four walla remained. The shops in the
colonnade shared in the destruction. The fire is stated
to have originated in an explosion of gas in the interior
of the building. Happily there was no performance last
night, otherwise the consequences might have been at.
tended with peat loss of life.

THE MED]

(nom ous owir

MALTA, Nov. 30.
The Italian screw steam iron-clad frigate Iles-
sins, 14, Captain Count C. Caselli, arrived here yesterday
morning from Messina, and on casting anchor ahe saluted
the flag of Vice-Admiral Lord C. Paget, and the fortress
—which compliments were returned by the Caledonia,
flag-ship, and the saluting battery. The Messina has come
into this port for the purpose of effecting repairs in her
Majesty's dockyard at this island, and two other Itanin
mend•war are expected here in the course of • few days
for the same object.

Mae ilsjaiefe steam Moreehip Emir Ellff-Ctlierfuer
der Bawden, took her departure from Malta yesterday at
noon for Gibraltar and England, having on board a quan-
tity of condemned stores.

The screw steam transport No. 17, Bolivar, one of the
menial engaged for the Abyssinian expedition, arrived in
Malta yesterday from Alexandria, where she landed the
males she had embarked in Spain for the expedition. She
leaves Yalta to-day for Gibraltar for the transport of
mules.

Besides the departure of the Supply for England, no
other movement has taken place amongst her Majesty'.
ships in this port The English men-of-war at present
lying in the great harbour are the Caledonia, iron-clad,
flagship of the commander-in•chief ; the Ilndymion, 21 ;
Enterprise, 5, iron-clad sloop; Racer, 11 ; Wizard, 2; and
the despatch vessel, Psyche.

WHITEHALL, Dee. 6.—The Queen has been
pleated to appoint William Percival Elgee, Esq., to be one
of the Inay.iectors under the "Act to render more effectual
the police in counties sod boroughs in England and Wales,"
in the room of Lieutenant-Colonel John Woodford, de-
oresed.—Gazette.

SALE OP VALUABLE DRAWINGS AND PIM:TRIM—
The remaining portion of the valuable collection of water.
colour drawings and modern oil paintings, the property of
Messrs. Lloyd Brothers, was disposed of yesterday and
the preceding day, by auction, on the premises in Grace-
church-street, City, by Messrs. Southgate and Co. The
following were the more important examples:—Pictures
in oil : (Craig) " Happy Moments," the most suocessful
work of this esteemed artist ; and " The Wood Ga-
therers"-150 guineas. (T. Sidney Cooper, 8.A.) „Where
the Nibbling Flocks do stray," an important and highly-
finished work-160 guineas. (& 0. Barnes) " The Mush-
room Seller," a fine and powerful work ; and " Feeding
the Cattle "-115 guineas. (Sir David Wilkie, R.A.)
"Henry Warden brought before Father Lustiee for
preaching the Protestant Faith ." an interesting auto-
grrph letter from Sir David Wilkie, accompanying the
picture as a gift to his friend Mr. Seiuier, the keeper of
the National Gallery, on the back-70 guineas. (H. Kea-
koek) Three charming examples—" Calm Water, View on
the Minitel ;" ditto near Dcedreeht ; and " Rough
Water, View on the it. near Amsterdam "-180 guineas.
Water-colour Drawings : (T. Sidney Cooper, R.A.)
" Cows and Sheep," the beautiful engraved drawings-185
guineas. (David Cox) "The Old Mill," very fine-80
guineas. (William Hunt) "An Urchin in • Brown Study,"
• werk of the very highest quality--160 guineas. (T. &
Cooper, R.A.) "Sheep on • Hill-side,. • magnificent
drawing-175 guineas. (George Smith) "A Windy Day
on the Thames," a charming work-115 rause. The two
days' sale exceeded 5,2501.
SHOCKING CASE OP STARVATION AND DEATH.—
On Thursday night an inquest was held in Devon's-road,
Bromley, on the hod of Guava Henry Pritchard, aged 43
years. The deceased was formerly in a good position, but
through losses became reduced to a dreadful state of desti-
cation. The family, including five children, had often been
without food,and at beat had only a aunty •llowance of bread.
On Sunday morning deceased fell forward on his face on
the floor, and the other members of the family were so far
gone inklarvation that he remained unnoticed antilblooday
morning, when he was found to be deed. A Mr. H. Ellis
said he visited the place on Monday morning, and saw the
deceased lying on his face on the door. Four little chil-
dren were also lying on the floor, they were aged 13, 11,
7, and 6 years respectively, and there was a baby of 13
months. There was • bundle in the middle of the floor,
and he was going to step on it to reach the deceased, when
the boy said, " That's my mother." She was the mast de-
plorable object be had ever seen. She was all but dead.
The husband was dead and cold. There was neither fire,
nor food, nor furniture in the house. Dr. H. V. Garman
said he found the man dead and stilt The mother was
nearly dead. Deceased had died front inflammation of
the lungs consequent on the want of the necessaries of
life. If Mr. EIIL had not acted with the promptitude he
did, the wife would not have lived an hour. She was still
so ill that she could not be told of the death of her hus-
band. A little girl, it was stated, was now delirious, and
in her delirium she spoke of nothing but her preview;
misery. It was pitiful to hear her cry, "It is the hut bit
of bread ; keep it for the baby." The jury returned a
verdict of " Death from pleura-pneumonia, accelerated by
want of food and necessary clothing."
THE PROPOSED FENIAN DEMONSTRATION IN
DOBLIN.—The programme of the funeral procession in
Dublin (we learn by telegraph from our correspondent)
will be marshalled by two hundred men, eight
abreast, followed by the youth of Dublin, a band, hearses
the ladies, and the general procession. John Martin will
deliver an oration at a grave purchased in Glasnerin
Cemetery, over which it is intended to erect • memorial
cross. _ _

THE LATE SEIZURE OF REVOLVERS AT MAN-
CHE/STElL—Yesterday morning Wm. Pherson Thompson and
William Hogan were brought before Messrs. St. J. B.
Joule, Kennedy, and Callender, at the police court, Man-
chester, charged with having purchased revolvers used in
the late attack on a prison van in Hyde-rued, when two
Fenian prisoners were rescued, and Polico-Sergeant Brett
I was murdered, and with being concerned in that attack.
The prisoner Thompson was remanded from last Saturday,
having been arrested at the London-road 'Cation of the
London and North Western Railway on the previous
evening with 45 new revolvers in his possession.
The prisoner William Hogan, who is secretary
of the Birmingham branch of the St. Patrick
Assurance Society, was apprehended at Birmingham.
and charged with having purchased pistols for use in the
attack on the van. The two prisoners were seen together
at Birmingham, and purchased the pistols in concert from
Mr. Hill, gun manufacturer, St. Mary'arow. He was
remanded to Manchester, and charged jointly with Thomp-
son. There is another prisoner under arrest at Binning.
ham on the same charge, hut the case Is not completed yet
against him. The prisomrs were put into the dock, and
Thompson gave a look of recognition and surprise at see-
ing Hogan in the dock. Mr. Rogers, of Manchester, de-
fended the prisoners. The prisoners were remanded to
Wednesday next.
FATAL TRAPEZE ACCIDENT.—Last evening on in-
quest was held at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, by Mr. W.
J. Payne, deputy-oorone•, relative to the death of Philip
Milton, aged 25 years. The deceased was a carpenter living
at 4.5. Murray-street, Huston, and be erected a trapeze in
the back yard for himself and another to practise on.
While sw'nging one day with his feet through two iron
rings and his bead banging downwards he slipped, and
fell heavily to the ground. His spine was broken, and he
WAS taken to the hospi•al, where he lingered for several
days. He died on Tuesday lact. It apperred that the de-
ceased had only practised gymnastics for a month, and the
maneruvre which cost him his life was the first of the kind
which be tried, although it is generally the list which
people are permitted to attempt at regular gymnasiums.
The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."
Tag HEIR APPARENT.—In a new treatise on the
S'atutes of Limitations attention is drawn to an set with
which we should imagine that the subjects of the realm are
not universally acquainted :—" By 35 Geo. 111. e. 123. it
is provided that where an heir apparent to the throne has
a separate establishment, any person having or claiming
any debt or demand against him, must deliver the midi-
enders of it to the proper office, within ten days after the
expiration of the quarter in which the debt or d. inand was
incurred, or that in default any such debt or demand shall
be barred both at law and in equity, and every security
given in consideration thereof shall be void, and that when
such particulars have been properly delivered, the creditor
may sue and prosecute in the manner therein provided for
such debt or demand within three calendar months after
delivery of such particulars' but not afterwards." It is
unnecessary to inquire into the historical circumstances
which called this statute into being, but its existence in
the present day may fairly be deemed an snomaly.—Lam
Journal.

Hint MAJ saw's Tissams. —Read the " Dispatch"
of to-morrow for the best and mod lotensting account of the
destruction of her Majesty's Theatre.—Odite, fleet-street.—
(Advertisement

- ••••••••01

b'