The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-04-23
LONDON, Feb 90
DESTRUCTION OF THE BRUNSWICE
THEATRE

The inhabitants of Wells street were, vester-
day morning, thrown into state of alarm and
CONSERVATION, by what was at first supposed to
be shock of an earthquake, but which proved
to be the falling in Of the roof of the New Bruins
wick Theatre. The structure which, a few
days ago, was the theme of admiration is now
heap ofruins; and what heightens the melan-
choly tale is, that many human lives have been
the sacrifice. The roof was of iron, and it IS
supposed, was too heavy for the still green walls
to support its ponderous weight, 1t appears
that rehearsal of Guy Mannering was pro-
ceeding, and about half-past eleven, when all
the performers were on the stage, the external
wall suddenly fell into the street, and the whole
building was instantly heap of ruins it also
knocked down the two other houses opposite.
(the Star public house and baker's,) the pro-
prIetor of the latter (Blatz) was killed A draw
and two horses, passing in the street, was crush
ed TO atoms; lady and gentleman, Swho were
passing at the time had a very narrow escape
portion of the ruins fell upon the leg of the
gentleman, who saved himself by desperate
muscular effort, and extricated his leg from the
boot. Mr.. Percy Farren, the stage manager,
was on the stage, experimenting the rehearsal,
when the melancholy event took place The
following is his statement =
p" was sitting on the out side ofMr. Maurice's
box, which is on level with the stage, SPEAKING
to him concerning the entertainments for Mon
day next crash directed my attention to the
roof of the building, and saw the lustre fallinp
MI Maurice rushed to the CENTRE and / clung
to the pillar OF the proscenlum. minute did
not elapse when the whole fell-not by pieces
but ca n,asse, and entirely swept all before it.
boxes, scenes, stage and actors. A cloud ofdust
for a second obscured my view /; but when per-
ceptlon returned, found that the opposite nil
lar, and that part of the box to which | clung.
alone remained; the rest of the edifice was a
mingled mass OF iron, timber and bricks Miss
Yates, by some extraordinary preservation, was
making herway towards me- covered with blood.
streaming from her head and imploring me to
save her. dragged her over the box, where
we remained completely blocked in for nearly
halt an hour. AT the expiration of that period,
distinguished three four carpenters wadinr
through the rubbish to gain the street-ior the
front wall having fallen, passage, fearful one,
It's true, was left, by clambering over the ruins
Upon inquiry, was told that our present secu-
rlty was very trail, and that should endeavor to
escape. 4 did so, and, after some difficulty, con-
trlved to get her over the ruins in doing which
need not describe my horror at finding one of
the resting places for my foot was the face of an
unfortunate sufferer of the name of Gilbert.
However, as Thy miracle, did escape, and, as
TAR us my enquiries lead, the only person entire
Messrs. Maurice and Carruthcrs (who had
erected the Ihcatre,) were behind the scenes,
witnessing the probable effect that the drama
would produce, when slight crash of timber
was heard, which was unattended to, from the
supposition that it might have been tho falling
OF beam from the hands of the carpenters who,
WIN others, were still employed in completing
inc building another came, and it was equally
dlsregarded; third followed, which excited
only momentary alarm, and shook tho lustro
out the fourth followed with instantaneous ra-
Lloity, ana buried the greater part of the per-
formers on the boards in its ruins.
When the theatre fell in, there were AZ least
l|U persons within it The greater part it is
TO be hoped, have escaped. Mr.. Goldsmith, ono
OF the survivors, says, that while on the
stage, and speaking to Mr. Wyman. another of
the company, he removed from some kind ofpro-
sentimentto the right hand stage box. immedi.
lately opposite to which, Mr.. p. Farren. The
stage manager, was sitting, but scarce had he
arrived there, when he perceived shaking about
the ustre, aud the crash Immediately followed.
When he (Mr. Goldsnilh) first heard the shock
he says that his instant feeling was to quit the
house, but yet he remained until tho ruins