The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-21 00:00:00

7118 BATH THEAIBB.

In The Sun of Saturday some particulars were
given
of the destruction of this elegant theatre by
fire on the previous day. The cause of the calamity
has not yet been satisfactorily ascertained, but the
police, acting under Mr. Hughes, chief officer, are
making a diligent investigation of the matter, and
hope to be able to unravel the mystery. On Satur-
day and yesterday the ruins were visited by vast
numbers of spectators, among whom were Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Kean and Miss Chapman, and nearly
all the members of the company, who reside princi-
pally in Bristol. Great sympathy is felt for the
lessee, Mr. J. H. Chute, who is deservedly popular
in both Bath and Bristol. In the latter city an
amateur performance for his benefit, by members of
the Histrionic Club, has been already projectEd,
and, although it is proposed considerably to in-
crease the prices of admission, no doubt is felt
that the houso will bo crammed in every part.
Among the sufferers by the fire is Miss Quick,
the wardrobe keeper, the back of whose house,
in St. John's-place, was burnt out. The pre-
mises of Mr. Gait (Garrick's Head Tavern), Mr.
Robert Hodges, Mr. Walter Star, Mr. Shep-
pard (Theatre Tavern), Mr. White, Mrs. Eyles, Mr.
Matthews, Mr. Broom, Mr. Bussey, Mr. Wyatt
(Prince Frederick Tavern), Mr. T. Galbraith, and
Messrs. Broadley and Sturmey, in the vicinity of
the theatre, well all more or less damaged, and the
greater part are uninsured. There was a large
quantity of MS. music in the house, which was of
course destroyed. The remains presented a remark-
able appearance, being reduced to a kind of tinder,
on which the notes, &c., were still distinctly visible.
The funds for the erection of the Bath Theatre were
raised by a tontine, which has not yet expired, the
principal holder at present being Mr. E. King. The
house was built from a design by the late Mr. G.
Dance, RA., in which elegance and convenience
were combined. There were three entrances in as
many different directions. The grand front in Beau-
fort-square was about 225 ft. in length and 70ft.high.
The exterior building contained dressing-rooms,
scene-rooms, wardrobes, &c., the anterooms and
saloons to the boxes, rooms of accommodation to the
private boxes, which were 26 in number, enclosed
with gilt lattices, &c. The pillars of cast iron were
placed at a distance of 2ft. from the front, by which
the first row of each circle appeared as a balcony
independent of the main structure, and an inconceiv-
able lightness was thus communicated to the tout
ensemble. The entrance to the private boxes was by a
private house, part of the property connected with
the theatre, and there was a suite of retiring rooms
appropriated with them. The decorations were very
splendid. Formerly the ceiling was richly orna-
mented with some exquisite paintings by Cassali,
which were purchased at the celebrated sale at Font-
hill; but in 1839 these were removed, and some classi-
cal groups, emblematic of the drama,were substituted.
The theatre was first opened on the 12th October,
1805, the pieces performed being the tragedy of
"Richard III.," and the "Poor Soldier." The Bath
stage long held the reputation of being the nursery
for the metropolis. Mrs. Crawford, Mrs. Abington,
Miss Brunton, Miss Smith, Mrs. Edwin, Mrs. Sid-
dons, Mrs. Egerton, Miss Paton, Miss Ellen Tree,
Mrs. Maria Tree, Mrs. Glover, and many other
ladies, were translated from Bath to London, while
among male actors were King, Henderson, Edwin,
Murray, Incledon, Lovegrove, Gattie, Wrench,
Abbott, C. Taylor, Elliston, Ward, and Macready.
In fact, from the commencement of the last century
till late years there was scarcely an actor of emi-
nence who was not at some time a member of the
Bath company. In later years it may boast of the
training of Miss Marie Wilton, Mr. Clark, Mr.
Stuart, Mr. George Melville, Mr. Rouse, and several
others who now grace the London boards.

GOOD WOOD DURING THE RACE WEEK.

Under the marquee, which was always erected on these
occasions, the merry laugh of the owner might be heard,
now conversing with his old friend the Admiral (Rona), or
listening to one of the brilliant sallies of repartee from his
Parliamentary colleague, Lord Derby—expatiating upon
the merits of his stud with General Peel, of his flock of
southdowns with Lord Strafford—now enjoying the say-
ings of that best of Company, George Payne—listening
to some fun that his brother Lord William had got up—
good-humouredly bearing the sly bits that were thrown
at him on the subject of Protection, some wicked wag, of
course a relative, having, at the breakfast table, pinned
a label on a huge loaf, " Free trade," and on the most
diminutive roll one of " Protection." Then, as the car-
riages arrived, the Duke, with the utmost cordiality, and
an absence of all formal ceremony, would welcome those
invited to enjoy the hospitalities of the week. On the lawn,
under the colonnade, in the High Wood, in the park, stud-
ded with fir trees, groups might be seen of those staying in
the house. But the dressing-bell is heard, and as the
Duke kept up his habits of punctuality, he was ever ready
at his post to receive his guests, and woe to her or him
who was absent when dinner was announced, as good-
humoured raillery was sure to be the result. At 8 o'clock
the dinner was served in a room originally intended for a
picture gallery, but converted into a ball-room on the com-
ing of age of the present Duke. The table was decorated
with several handsome specimens of gold and silver plate,
among them being cups won by the late Duke at races or
agricultural meetings. In addition to these were pieces of
plate presented to his father—one large tazza being made of
snuffboxes given to that Duke while Lord-Lieut, of Ireland,
and bearing the names of the towns that presented them.
After dinner, a talented artiste from Chichester was engaged
to play quadrilles, waltzes, and polkas ; and the usual
dining-room being cleared, the young people danced until
past midnight, whilst a whist table and a billiard-room
offered their attractions to the elder generation. A custom
prevailed during the race week which somewhat sur-
prised the late King of Holland, the Due de Nemours, and
other foreigners. The moment that the ladies retired from
the room, the list of the following day's racing was read
aloud, and bets offered upon the several events; and, al-
though the betting was not high, except on particular occa-
sions, or when some inveterate bettor was present, the ex.
citement kept up was great, On the Cup Day, from time
immemorial, the health of the noble owner of Goodwood
was proposed by the person of highest rank in the com-
pany, and briefly responded to by his Grace, * * The
Duke, during the race week, generally got down ,by
half-past eight, breakfasted alone, or with a chosen friend
at nine, and would devote an hour, before going to the
races, to showing his flock to some brother agriculturist.
In the meanwhile his guests dropped into the breakfast-
room at intervals, or while away the time before the
beginning of the races in the tent, on the lawn, or the seats
under the colonnade, which was always a favourite lounge.
As 12 o'clock strikes, a close carriage and four, the postil-
lions in red and white striped jackets, the footmen in rich THE WEATHER IN FRANCE.—The Salut Public
white and red liveries, turned up with silver and turned of Lyons of the 15th, in speaking of the effects of the
down with yellow, an open landau and pair, brougham, a change of weather in that district, says :—" At six this
phaeton, a break with post-horses, are at the door, with a morning the thermometer in the open country stood at only
few ponies and horses for those who like a canter over the 1 5-10 above zero centigrade (34.75 F.), and the luzerne and
Downs—and there might be seen a phalanx of beauty and blossomed shoots of the colzas began to bend their heads
fashion. The well-bred Chesterfield mounts his phaeton,and to the ground. At 10 o'clock, however, the sun shone out,
takes by his side the gallant JameaMacdonald,whose Crimean and they all rose again without injury. The forward
deeds have rendered him truly popular, The duke, accom- buds of the vines in places exposed to frost have not as yet
ponied byhis brother-in-law Anglesey,or Admiral Rous,who suffered. Happily, the cold has come on when the ground
may sing " All in the Downs the fleet are met," applying is dry, and, in consequence, the plants have not yet been
Dibdin's nautical song to the races on the Southdowns, effected. In the Beaujolais, and particularly in Burgundy,
wend their way to the course on horseback ; while the brave the vine being less advanced than in the Lyonnais,
Duke of Cambridge, the enlightened Duke of Bedford and could not have received any damage ; neither does the fruit,
the gallant Eglincon—both now, alasl 'no more the which has set, appear to have suffered. The wind eon-
brilliant Derby, the unassuming Exeter, the well-informed tinues to blow from the north, but with less violence
Hartington, the popular Strafford, the sensible Peel, the than during the last few days, and the squalls of sleet
agreeable Canterbury, the North Briton Glasgow, the lively have ceased. Hopes may therefore be entertained that for
animated George Payne, the duke's brothers, George, Wil- this time the only harm done will be a little alarm." A
Liam, and Arthur, his grace's son, Benryt Alexander, and violent thunderstorm, accompanied by heavy rain and hail,
George, attend to the ladies ; the gallant Prince Edward of broke three days
ago over the Vosges country, between
Saxe Weimar and the Princes, the Earl and Countess of Dounnoux and as far as Xertigny. At Mirecourt, two men
Bessborough, following the lightning, but
in a neat open carriage. A portion at work in a shop were knocked down by
of the grand stand was divided off for the Goodwood party, without receivinganymaterial injury,. The rain fell in tor-
and luncheon was sent there from the house. After the races rents, and at mattaincourt a smell rivulet became in a short
tea tables—for fashionable lords and ladies cannot do with • time a raging torrent, which overflowed its banks, washed
out their "kettledrum" an hour or two before dinner—were away vineyards. tore up trees by the roots, and inundated the
laid out in the garden in front of the conservatory. On the village. 15 houses were completely flooded to the height
last day of the races, the Friday, a party from, Goodwood of several metres, and the damage caused is estimated at
generally went into Chichester for the ball, which was in upwards of 20,000 f loss Which falls principally on the
in
habitants.
the years well attended. On Saturday the stable yard, in poorer portion of the
the good old posting days, might be seen full of carriages, BENSON'S , VATeI.iES AND CLOCKS.--" Perfection of
from the lumbering coach to the neat mail phaeton, Post. Gold watches, sto Ice guineas;
and a regular regiment of post horses was assembled to silver avatckeese•
,2.
rto .0 guineas. Benson's new Illustrated
mechanism."—Morning
Convey the
guests away. In railway days flys were in pampnitta,
watch, enables
stamps, descriptive of everylti construe-
attendance, and by niid-day scarce a visitor was left. All tide of
fw7th the great" persons in
any parthobestie lvorld to
left, however, with but one feeling, that f gratitude to the theirlc use. Watches sentes cierretemanntyd
safett' e wbaytep
post
onradaptctreceipt
to
f
noble host and hostess fur a moct delightful week,—Lqcof a remittance.—J.
Benson, 33 and 31, Ludgate-hill, 46 and
the late Luke 0' Afehmolcli 47, Corgi, laandea je.Q.—.Eetabllehed 1749.