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

LATEST PARTICULARS THIS DAY.

Up to half-past two o'clock this afternoon the
engines were playing upon the smouldering ruins
of the noble theatre, the destruction of which
has been total and complete, as not
a vestige of the contents of the building
has escaped the flames. The melancholy effects of
the conflagration were visible amongst the
immense crowds that congregated in front of
the building in the Haymarket. Conspicuous
amongst the gazers were many of the minor artistes
all of whom were expressing the deepest regret at
being thus suddenly deprived of employment. No
one amongst them appeared to be able to form the
faintest idea of the cause, as during the last
rehearsal fur Fidelio, which did not conclude until
half-past 5 o'clock, very little light or scenery
was used. Mr. Mapleson did not quit the theatre
until six o'clock in the evening, everything appear-
ing as safe as- usual. To-day the box-office, the
grand entrance to the theatre, and those of both
pit and gallery are blocked up by the smoking
remains of the once splendid library and wardrobe,
and through the window openings in the front wall
dense clouds of steam are seen constantly arising.
The occupiers of stalls and shops in the arcade
are large losers by this unfortunate catastrophe.
Their shops have been completely gutted, and the
appearance of the arcade flagway this morning was
sad indeed. Chairs, tables, beds, clothes, all sorts
of fancy goods and haberdashery were strewn about,
irreparably damaged, while the owners of the ruined
property looked sorrowfully upon the wreck. Mme.
Epitau es restaurant is closed up, so is Mr. Egg's
gunmaking establishment, as well as a cigar divan
close by. These shops are upon the Pall Mal
side of the block of buildings, and the rears of
all the premises in that row have been more
or less injured. Probably the greatest loss
will arise from the hasty removal of furniture and
goods under such fearful risks of damage from the
mingled sleet and fire. As to the theatre itself, the
front and back walls alone stand. The side walls
yielded and fell inwards about eleven o'clock last
night, so that nothing remains to show to what
purpose this splendid edifice was devoted, save
the colonade, which is intact, and the fine
figures in basso relievo which ornament the wall
facing the Haymarket. As to the actual cause
of the fire, it is, up to the present, not ascer-
tained. The gas, which usually comes in for
blame in occurrences of this kind, is set down
by many as the cause, but, from all the inforthation
we can gather, that does not appear to be a correct
conclusion. Where the fire was first discovered
was at the back of the stage, beneath which a
large quantity of properties and: old scenery was
stored. Properties, scenery--the elder Grieve's
best—mechanical appliances, panoramic views, and
the thousand and one things which are to be found
behind the curtains of a theatre have been destroyed
to the value of nearly £50,000.
The musicians have almost without .exception
lost their instruments ; and not the least sad feature
in the calamity is that about 300 persons have been
thrown out of employment by it. It is stated that
the value of Mr. Mapleson's interest in the theatre
was estimated at over £lO,OOO, but it appears the
property was not insured.

UTILISATION OF COKE OVEN GASES. —Probably
the first attempt to utilise the gases given off in the pro-
cess of coking has been made at tho works of Messrs.
Carver and Co., of St. Etienne. The gases are collected
and drawn off through the medium of pipes, when the
tar, ammoniacal liquids, &c., aro condensed. From
these condensed liquids benzine, naphthaline, sul-
phate of ammonia, artificial manures, and a number
of dyestuffs, are made. The gas remaining after
condensation of the liquids, which is, of course, ordinary
illuminating gas, can be used in the usual manner. It is
estimated that in France alone no less than 4,000,000 tons
of coal are annually coked, and it has been proved that
Messrs. Carver's process is capable of giving a profit of
nearly 28. upon every ton of coal treated. A more con-
sclusive evidence of the advantage resulting from that
ound technical education so readily obtainable on the
Continent could scarcely bo desired.--/t/ininy Journal.