Star.
London, England, 1830-02-22 00:00:00

THE LATE ENGLISH OPERA HOUSE.

The total destruction of this popular place of amusement by fire
on Monday night was noticed at the time in our columns. We
regret that the constant pressure of parliamentary debate has left us
until now without an opportunity of reverting to the subject.
There is a variety of circumstances realer to the theatre, as
well as attaching personally to Mr. Arnold, its respectable proprie-
tor, himself, which, independently of the value of the property
destroyed, gives to the late unfortunate catastrophe, a more than
ordinary interest, and must excite deep and universal regret.
With the literary productions of Mr. Arnold, as a dramatic
writer, the public are well acquainted. They display tact,
fancy, and knowledge of stage effect; but it is not equally
well known that he is an accomplished musician whose taste and
judgment are acknowledged by the first masters. Before Mr.
Arnold's time, while the foreign vocalist was loaded with fame and
fortune in this capital, native talent was left to pine without en-
couragement or support. Nay, our very climate and language were
condemned as at enmity with sweet sounds. Mr. Arnold felt this
injustice done to his country, and conceived the idea of an English
Opera House devoted exclusively to native talent. Our late gra-
cious King, a perfect model of a patriot Prince, sanctioned and patro-
nized the undertaking, and hence arose the late beautiful Theatre,
erected by Mr. Arnold from his own credit and resources, upon the site
of the ancient Lyceum. The House opened in 1809 with an English
company Including Mrs. Mountain, Miss Kelly, Mr. Dowton, Mr.
Thos. Philipps, and several other eminent performers; and under
the judicious management of Mr. Arnold, aided by his dramatic
talents, it became at once a decided favourite of the public, a rank
which it has ever since successfully maintained. Of the stars which
first contributed to its rise, Miss Kelly has remained fixed, and has
never ceased to shine with undiminished lustre. Hence has arisen
a presumption, contradicted in our Paper of Saturday, that this
Lady possessed a share in the proper of the Theatre, but
for which there is no foundation. Miss Kelly must have
naturally felt great pride and interest in a concern to the
success of which her superior talents had so materially con-
tributed, and hence she was treated with marked deference
and respect ; but this homage her professional merit and
private character would have commanded in any establishment.
TI,Is case we notice thus particularly, because it is necessary the
public should know, that Mr. Arnold has no one with whom to
stare his loss: that its whole undivided overwhelming weight falls
upon himself, and that any support he may receive will be on his
own account alone. The success of the theatre enabled him to de.
fr.iy the expence of its erection, and that might be considered pros-
perity ; but it is now swept away, and of a sum of Xl,BOO, which is
ll :he money he possesses. £3OO it is supposed is all that will remain
with him, after payment of debts, to begin the world anew. This simple
tu;.tea.ent may serve to show the extent of Mr. Arnold's claim upon
tl'e paLlie. There is no man existing in his line of life who has
vorar.outed so largely to their stock of harmless pleasure. We
will not thkreiore suppose it possible that they will suffer a man to
whom they are so deeply indebted to sink under the recent eala-
rMty. it would be a reproach to themselves, and a want of res.
Ise. to the mmuory of the gracious Sovereign who took so lively an
Intrust in the urelettaking. No.-
- Primo avulse non *fie" alley
Access; el ainiili fromdeseit urges *Retail°.
Whether this will be accomplished by subscription or by shares,
we have no doubt such will be the result, and that the English
)pv:a House will speedily rise again in more than its former beauty
from its ashes.
lie rejoice to learn that Mr. Arnold has displayed more fortitude
on this trying occasion than might be expected from the acuteness
of Ids feelings and the magnitude of his loss. It was Mr. Wrench
who awoke him from sleep at his house in Golden.square, with the
melancholy intelligence that the theatre was on fire, and hei came in
a cabriolet with that gentleman to the appalling scene, which he
witnessed in company with Mr. Peake, Mr. Hawes, and some other
friends, until the work of destruction was completed. Mr. Hawes
then prevailed on him to accompany him to his house on the Adel-
phi-terrace, where he remained some days, during which he received
the kindest and most friendly attentions.

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