Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-04-18

which proved to be the falling in of the roof OF the
New Brunswick Theatre, which was opened only
on Monday evening last, being sEected on the sr'te
Of the Old Fast London Theatre, which sometime
since was destroyed by fire. The structure, whsh.
few DAYS ago. was the theme OF admiration IN that
part Of the metropolis, is now heap OF ruins and
what heightens the melancholy tale is, that many
human lives have been the sacrifice. As to the
cause of this most frishtul event, all is at present
conjecture The roof was iron. and, il is supposed,
was too heavy for the still green walls to support
its ponderous weight. II appears, as Tar as can De
collected from the conflicting accounts aihld the as-
may aud agitation which the event has excited, that
a rehearsal of Guy Mauneling was proceeding, anu
about hall past eleven, when all the performers were
on the stage, the external wall suddenly iel into
the street, and the whole building was instantly a
mass of ruins it also knocked down the two houses
opposite the proprietor OF one was Killed dray
and two horses passing IN the street, were crushed
to atoms a lady and gentleman, who were passing
at the time, had very narrow escape; portion oi
the ruins fell upon the leg Of the gentleman, who
saved himself by desperate muscular effort, ana
extrcated his leg from the boot. Mr. Percy Faren,
the stage manaser, brother to Mr. Farren, OF COven
Garden Theatre, was the stage. experimenting
the rehearsal, when the melancholy event took
place. The following is his own statement:
was sitting on the outside of MIR. Maurices's
box, which is ON level with the stage. speaking to
him concerning the entertainments Tor Monday next;
this was about twenty minutes past eleven the per-
formers standing OH the stage to begin the Opera OF
guy Mannering. A crash directed the attention to
the roof of the building and the lustre falling.
MIR. Maurice rushed to the centre, and chung to
the pillar of the pr0cenium. minute did not elapse
when the whole fell-not by pieces, but en- nlassp,
and entirely swept all before it, boxes scene, stage.
and actors. A cloud of dust for second obscured
my view; but when perception returned, | found
that the opposite pillar, and that part OF the box to
which clung alone renamed; the est OF the ed-
flee was mingled mass Of iron. timber, and bricks.
I now distinguished that Miss Yates, by some ex-
traordinary preservation, was making her way to-
wards me, covered with blood streaming from her
head. imploring me TO save her. | dragged her
over the box where we remained completely block
ed in, for nearly half an hour. At the expiration Of
that period distinguished three four carpenters
/ wading through the rubbish to gain the street-for
the front wall having fallen, passage, fearful one
: It's true, was left, by camberng over the ruins.
Upon inquiry, was told that our present security
was very irail and that should endeavnr to escape
did so, and after some difficulty, contaved to gel
, her over the ruins; in doing which | need not de
scribe my horror at finding one of the resting places
for my feet the face of the unfortunate sufferer
. of the name of Gilbert. However, as if by miracle
e did escape, and, as far MY inquiries lead, tn
IS only parsnn entirely unhurt who did | the
n Messrs. Maurice and Garruthers {suho had erect
h ed the theatre, and expended considerable sum i
its completion. were behind the scenes. wtnessin
a the probable effect that the Drama would produce
IN when at about IS minutes to IL o'clock. "A sligt
Of crash of timber was heard, which was unattende
I'd to, from the suppostion that it might have been I'll
of falling OF beam from the hands of carpenter, VIII
MS with others, still employed in completing tn
building; another came, and it was equally disr
garded Il third followed. which excited only IN
mcntary alarm, and shook the iustre; but a four
- followed with instantaneous rapiditv, and buried Il
IN greater part Of the performers the boards in
ruins
ne When the theatre fell in, there were at least /,
"a. persons within it. Connected with the tieatrc
performances, there were at least co. and with f
70 mechanics employed about its completion, the
as could not have beea less than l70 The great
las part it is to be hoped, have escaped. The
te given by Mr.. Goldsmith, one Of the Survivors.
lhe quite corrobnrative of other statements he adj
W that while on the stage and speaking to Mr. w VIVA
Oh another OF the company, he removed. from sol
ga preseniment, to the right hand stage box. Inne
res a'ey opposite to which MIR. p. Farren, the sta
ut' manager sitting, casting the parts but
'c had he arrived there when he perceived remult
''a motion about the lustre and the crash immediate
followed. He says there at the time, Ar. W
W man and at least "a others, on the stage and
pa' hind the scenes, occupied. In the orchestra y
'as' Mr.. Fearon. its conductor. arranging the music
re the next nights performance; and immedlat
behind it were his two sisters, who are also sst
! as of Mrs. Glossoa, called Madame Fearon WI
vn' he (Nlr. Golsmih) first heard the shock, he s
'eu' that his instant feeling was to quit the house.
:, yet he remained till the ruins tumbled in. He
Inc tunately escaped and while making his wav
~ struggling through brick and mortar, he called
Id in anxiety, and two sailors at the moment rus
in, and assisted him until he was in a place of $
larry. ty. Hardly had he got without the building, whe
Ca was met by MIR. p Farren, whose escape was cd
so iy provilental, and the exclamation was Mr..