Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-07-02
BURNING OF THEATRES.


BURNING OF THEATRES.
The destruction ofthe Bowery Theatre,
with the cluster of grog-shops and other
kindred establishments which had grown
up at its base, has gwen rise to much CON
versation, and revealed many alarming
facts, relative TO the influence of theatrical
performances upon the public morals. Ii
is not for us to repeat in PRINT all that we
hear in prlyate;-but such is the impress
sion on the subject at this moment, that we
do believe, if the sudrages of our citizens
were demanded on the question whether a
new Theatre should be erected, three
fourths, ifnot seven-eights, of this pleasure
loving community would lift up their vol
ces against it.
The history of this Theatre has been
short and eventful. On the 18th of June,
1926, the cornerstone was laid by pub
lie officer, who but for this act might still
have been the Mayor Of New York. The
ceremony was performed on Saturday If
teyRooa at . o'clock, as if TO bring 1t as
nearly as possible in conjunction with the
Sabbath; and completing the inner work,
we are assured from various sources, that
the Sabbath was not distinguished from
the rest pf the week. In the Spring Of
1927, the Managers imported a lot of
French dancers, of a description which
had not before been tolerated in the country,
and exhibited them to as many as could be
allured by low prices 81 glowing placarCs,
to behold their indecent dress and lacivl-
Gus gestures. On the 18th ofMay, 1923,
after having done more to corrupt the
minds Of youth than perhaps any other
Theatre in existence within so short pc
Rod, twas suddenly burnt TO the ground,
and in its flames passed off the spirits Of
two immortal beings, who might otherwise
have lived to be a blessing to society.
Why is it that so many Theatres arc
destroyed by fire and other calamitesl
The number is but very few-a dozen or
twenty in a nation; and yet the accidents
which befal them are frequent and distress
sing. The following, and probably others
have occurred in London.
Drury Lane Theatre-bunt in 1891, and
and again in 1909.
Opera House-burnt in 1889.
Haymarket Theatre-2l persons killed,
Feb. 3, 1891.
Astley's Amphitheatre--burnt in 1894, and
again about 1902.
! Convent Garden Thaatre-burnt 1909
Pantheon Opera House-burnt 1889.
Royal Circus-burnt 1905.
Saddler's Wells--I5 persons killed, Oct
ID, 1907.
Royalty-burnt about 3 years since.
Brunswick Theatre--fell down Feb. p,
1873. ii persons killed.
Add to these;
A Theatre at Turin-burnt Feb. 70. lS25.
Richmond Theatre-burnt Dec I5ll-lOO
to 80 lives lost.
Park Theatre, New York--2jth May,
1920.
Bowcry Theatrc-26ih May, 1882 lives
lost.
Philadelphia Theatrc-Particulars not
known.
We have before US letter from London,
in which the writer states, that IN passing
the Brunswick Theatre on the Sabbath,
some months since, he "saw the masons
and carpenters at work upon It, Just as if il
/ had been a week day"
Says correspondent, 81 remember a
Theatre that was consumed a few years ago
/ in the city Of London, which had been IN
geniously contrived to hold a quantity Of
water in the roof and ] recollcct also, that
the first play which was performed IN i was
opened with a most presumpiuous epigram
'by acelebrated actress, setting at defiance,
with Remembering confidence, and ele-
.ment Of fire; as though that awful and DO
vouring flame was It's own master, and not
the servant Of Him by whose almighty fiat
Ii bursts forth, spreads and IS again cx-
tinguished.'
a needless world may consider these
things the work defiance. Butthe Chrs>
tan, who knows that even a sparrow falls
not 10 Inc ground without Gods notice,
will see in them the agency Of his almigli-
.ty arm, testifying his displcasure aga.nsf
Sin. " Y Obssrger.