The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-18 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR Or THE SUN.

Siz,—The statements of Mr. Surman and Mr. Marcus
Sharpe, in your report of the meeting of renters and
proprietors of Covent garden Theatre, at Mr. George
Robins's room, on Saterday last, being false in point of
fact, a2d injurious to ins in their tendency, may I beg
that in the sline journal vs hich bag given them to the
world my positive den al of their truth may also be pub-
lished ?

Mr. Marcus Sharpe is reported to have said that " if
we had been told that it was proposed to let the theatre
tl Mr. Anderson, knowing, that two theatres in the 4-c-
-cupation of that gentleman had previously been burned
to the ground, we should certainly have objected to let
him occupy the building." Mr. Surman is stated to
have said, "This was the third theatre burned down
while in his possession. Of the two first, one was in
America, the other in Gla,gow." Tress assertions are
partially untrue. I have performed in almost every
theatre in Great Erd,:tin, in most of those of the
Continent, and on nearly every stage in America. One
only, and that one my own, was burned down whilst i❑
my occupation, and even then it was not during any
performance of mine. No America❑ theatre in which I
appeared was destroyed during my occupancy, or while
I was in that country. The first theatre I performed in
in America was the Astor Opera Howe, Now York ;
then in the St. Charles, New Orleans ; thence I removed
to the theatre, Mobile. My next was Bates's Theatre,
St. Louis ; then one of the same name at Louisville. I
afterwards occupied the National Theatre, Cincinn'►tti ;
the Broadway, New York ; the Holiday-street, Balti-
more ; and the National Theatre, Washington ; all of
which theatres are still in existence.

The one theatre, and the only one, burnt whilst in
my possession was the City Theatre, in Glasgow. It was
built by myself, at a c )st of 15,000/. ; it was burnt
down one night, after the performance of the opera of
"Der Freischutz," I had effected its insurance far 6,500/.,
the whole of which was paid, as far as it would extend,
in satisfying tho heavy liabilities I had incurred in the
erection of the theatre.
By the destruction of this theatre I lost all I bad in
the world, and Fubsequently recommenced my career as
a professor of magic. Such was the unfortunate result
to me of the burning of the one theatre, consumed whilst
I was its proprietor.
Statements sick as those made by Mr. Surman end
Mr. Sharpe are liable to do me a large amount of injery.
They are unjust and untrue.
It is no light matter even to hint at an individualbeing
guilty of arson ; and these hints are so broadly And dis-
tinctly thrown out by the gentlemen whose names I have
specified, that I shall not fail to take due notice of them,
and of those by whom they are disseminated, as justice
to myself requires I should do ; and the disseminators
themselves may very naturally expect I most unquestion-
ably shall do, at a proper time and in a proper place,
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
JOHN HENRY ANDERSON.
84, Tavistock-street, Covent-garden, March 17.

" RiDali MassET."—On Saturday last, the steam-
ship Andes, from Balaklava to Spithead, put into Ply-
mouth, having encountered strong head-winds from Gib-
raltar, and being deficient of coals. Amongst her pas•
sengers was Lieut. Massey, of the 19th, better known
as " Eedan Massey." This gallant young officer on land-
ing at q
the Cu
in oin-house was loudly cheered. He ap-
peared geod health, but walked on crutches, the left
thigh and leg bring evidently useless. Although 18
years of age, he does not look so much by a year or two.
The young hero received the greatest attention and kind-
ness from Genets'. Eden, who invited him to take up his
quarter,' during his stay at Government-house, but this
iavitation from motives of delicacy was declined. He
is at present staying at the Royal Hotel, Devonport,
accompanied by DI. W. Clegg, of the Medical Staff,
whose contributions front the seat of war to the Illes-
treed London News, hare so frequently attracted pul l!c
attention. Lieut. Massey embarks on Monday for his
family residence, Dublin.