The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-05 00:00:00

THE SU 14, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVEN LNG, MARCH 5, 1856.

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF COVENT-
GARDEN THEATRE BY FIRE.
(This Morning.)

One of the most destructive and exten:iva fires that
has happened in the metropolis for some years past oc•
curred this morning at Covent-Garden Theatre, and
which has resulted in the total destruction of this na-
tional place of amusement. Since Christmas this esta-
blishment has been in the hands of Professor Anderson,
who has spared neither time nor expense in producing a
series of entertainments alike worthy of the reputation
of this place of amusement, and commensurate with the
patronage which he has been favoured with by the public.
On Monday last the Professor's great carnival bene-
fit commenced, which was to embrace dramatic and
other representations, and to extend, with slight intervals
between, from that day to Tuesday night ; when the
long list of operas, melodramas, and farces which had
begun the festival was to be crowned with a " ball
masque," on a scale of great magnificence. At the ap-
pointed hour last night for the commencement of the
bal there was a considerable assemblage in the salle.
The cavaliers and nymphs who " dressed" for the occa-
sion resorted to the usual diversities of costume, those
of a "fancy" character prevailing over the "historical."
The whole passed off satisfactorily till about five o'clock
this morning, when the company were preparing to de-
part, and whilst the last stanza of the National Anthem
was being performed, the first intimation occurred of
that dreadful calamity, which, in a comparatively short
space of time, enveloped the building in flames, and
ended in its entire destruction.

Whilst the maskers were grouped about on the stage,
and presenting a most incongruous scene of costume and
character, congratulating each other on the satisfactory
result of the entertainment, a large burning beam fell
from the ceiling on to the stage, striking a gentleman
on the foot, an scattering the embers about in every
direction amongst the company.
The greatest consternation ensued from this unmis-
takeable evidence of the building being on fire. The
ladies commenced shrieking and rushing about
in wild confusion, and gentlemen were to be
seen endeavouring to find their partners, which
from the great similarity of many of the ladies
costumes made it a task of great difficulty, in order to
make a safe retreat. However, after a short delay the
company rushed to the doors and made their escape, and
fled into the neighbouring streets for means of conveyance
to their respective residences, the grotesqueness of their
dreeues:contrasting strangely with the scene which the
neighbourhood presented from AO fearful a calamity oc•
curring at that hour of the morning.
In a very short time after the alarm was given every
person employed on the premises endeavoured to save
some part of the property, but owing to the immense
quantity in the building a small portion only, compara-
tively speaking, was preserved.
Mr. Ilingston, the Wizard's secretary, was engaged
in the treasury when the alarm of fire was given, and
rendered great service in saving life and property. He
was the last person to leave the theatre, after having
ascertained that the whole of the visitors and persons
employed bad made their escape.
A. large number of fire-engines from the various

stations were very speedily in attendance, and water
front the numerous mains around the theatre hav-
ing been obtaineli, the firemen, with the aid of an im-
mense body of assistants, set to work under the superin-
tendence of Mr. Braidwood. After a very short time it
was discovered that all attempts to save the theatre
would prove fruitless, and accordingly the exertions of
the fire-brigade were directed to the preservation of the
surrounding property. The hou4es extending from the cor-
ner of Hart-street in Bow-street, to Jatnes-street, Covent
garden, from their close proximity to the burning building
stood in the most immediate danger from a slight breeze
wafting the immense sheets of flame towards them, and
it was with the greatest difficulty their total destruction
was prevented. The Feathers public-house, notwith-
standing the immense body of water that was being►
poured upon it repeatedly, caught fire, and fortunately
for the occupant the house was eventually preserved
from sharing the fate of the theatre. The houses ad-
joining the Feathers, for the length of the street we have
mentioned, have suffered severely.
In Bow-street the scene presented by the tremendous

conflagration was extr tordmary, and the same precau-
tion had to be taken of the houses facing the grand en-
trance of the theatre, as in Hart-street. During the time
the engines were throwing water upon the adjacent
I property the fire seemed every moment to increase in
intensity, and the flames rose to an immense height and
spread so vivid a reflation upon all ar-iuncl that the
Surrey hills could plainly be di-cnned by any person
standing at the top of Lhw-street and looking in that
direction.

The scene presented at the moment the roof fell nearly
defied description. In a moment, and only for a ►u

went, the flames that had been pouring from every
window of the theatre seemed to be in some degree
extinguished, and large clouds of black and dark brown
smoke took their place. Millions and millions of bril-
liant sparks fell upon all around, and then again rose
theflames with redoubled intensity, and the fate of every
part of the building was from that moment sealed.
Still the firemen kept steadily at work, aild as the
flames which appeared to have strong hold in cer-
tain parts .of the theatre were extinguished, a
loud cheer arose from the thousairls of per-
sons who stood gazing at the scene. At short intervals
loud reports continually occurred, and many were the
conj,!ctnres hazarded as the cause, but the true one was
that they arose from the falling of the walls in different
parts of the house.
Towards nine o'clock the fire seemed to have ()m-
-eowed everything except the extensive walls of the
theatre, but the engines continued throwing an immense
body of water upon the burning ruins.

At half-past ten o'clock the scene of destruction wal
painfully interesting. In ow-street could be seen,
through the window openings, a portion of the interior
of what was, till this morning, one of the most splendid
theatres in Europe. Large rafters could be distinguished
resting against the walls which bad so short a time ago

formed a portion of the roof. The doors and windows
of the grand entrance having been destroyed the vesti-
bule presented a aomplete scene of ruin, and the oniy
things that remained standing were the eight Doric
colames, what from their charred state presented the
appearance of white marble, and formed a strong con-
trait to the blackened and smoking mass that sur-
rounded each of them. The four large columns and
the architrave are all that is left of the grand portico.
In viewing the remains of the theatre from Hart-street,
and looking towards the eoutb, an idea can be formed of
the immense extent of the conflagration. There is
nothing but a few pieces of projecting wall to impede a
view completely through the theatre, and the windows
that, it will be recollected, were at the back of the amphi-
theatre, can be plainly seen from the point we have men-
tioned. This fact will be quite sufficient to convey an
idea of how total leas been the destruction of the building.
With respect to the properties of the theatre, very

little, if any, has been saved, and owing to the confusion
at present prevailing, we have beam unable to ascertain
whether Mr. Gye is (which we hope is the caie) insured.
Mr. Anderson, we understand, is insured in the Sun
Office to the extent of 2,0001., but this will not near cover
his loss.

We understaiad 'that 110 liras were lest. This is en

tirely owing to the admirable management of the police
in keeping back the curious crowd, who, after the alarm
had been given, would have rushed into the theatre to
the imminent risk of their own destruction.

The loss of property by this calamity cannot be less
han 25p,000/.

The theatre which 'preceded the one burnt down this
morning was opened by Rich about 1732, but after
undergoing several alterations was destroyed by fird
Sept. 20, 1808. The first stone of the structure just
destroyed was laid by the Duke of Sussex, Dec. 31,
1808, and it was opened on the 18th of Sept., 1809,
with "Macbeth."

At the time we write, half•past two o'clock, the en-
gines are still playing upon the smoking debris.

THE GREAT FIRE AT COVENT. GARDEN THEATRE.--The
L'Empereur, powerful prize fire-engine, belonging to
Mr. Merryweatber, lately exhibited iu the Paris Exbibi•
tion, was brought into play by upwards of thirty men,
and rendered great service in the preservation of the
houses in Bow•atreet.

The Bishop of London has not had a relapse, as erro
neously stated. The right rev, prelate is, if anything,
better, being able to take occasional carriage airings.
It is feared that his lordship will be unable again to
attend to the active duties of his episcopate.
MAOAuLAY BURNT IN EFFIGY.—The North, British.
.Daily Mail says :—The Highlanders of Glenmore, in
Inverness-shire, feeling aggrieved and indignant at the
slanderous charges brought by Mr. Macaulay against
their preOecessors, in his last volume of the " History
of EnglaAd," assembled together, and, headed by a
piper playing the "Rogue's March," proceeded to the
Black Rock, near Genmore House, and there burnt
in effigy the distinguished historian. The assembled
crowd gave three shouts of execration as the effigy
Was oonsuraing. Macaulay, when in the Highlands,
re3ided for a considerable time at Glamor. How).

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