The New York herald., 1866-12-16
BURNING Or THE ORLEANS THEATRE.
Interesting "Reminiscences 0f the Institution
for Finv Years-RemarkRbIe Series Of
Theatrical Calamities.

for Fifv Ysars-Remnrkable SERIES Of
Theatrical Calamifies.
From the New Orleans Crescent, December 81
The Orleans theatre Of the things Of the past
II consumed by rc yesterday morning between the
hours OF six O'Clock and past nine. IT'S hfy
years OF amusement and gaye;y will live henceiosth In
the minds OF old citizens only Tho origin Of the nre
bchind tho II Is not only positively asserted
have been the work OF inccndary. but that the
curtains or scenery sct on 1rs In four different
places The engines were prompt IN reaching thc
ground, but the flames found extremely difcut 10
subdue. The Interior Of the building Of wood and
the most combustble materials and In two hours and
half after tbs flames had started they had done their
were really par. Of the house. burning the time
we write, but u s thought that portion Of tho outer
walls will be preserved
The burning OF place OF Ia svent which
naturally tho attention OF the public: but OF
old building Ike tho Orleans theatre. winch occupied
the foremost position the dramatic world for nearly
half century, read Of It's destruction without
q certain amount OF emotion II was built In lsls, and
upon rs boards the leading operas have been performed
at time too when q similar institution almost
known In Northern cities, and In such manner AZ TO
excite the admiration Of every traveller who visited this
country. Upon Its boards Fanny Eser has danced aud
Jenny Lind sung; colson, Dcgries Fuery Joe, calve
and the other OF the ft lyric artists have there ap
pcared and until the building OF the new opera, short
time previous TO the war sti rea ned It's reputation
tho leading place Of resort with the French and Creole
fashionable world Tho erection OF the now building
decided lm fate, and iis past historic memories
kept il from honceforth occupying secondary rank Il
became associated during tho war and Immediately
after with OF tho most painful changes Of tho
fault Of tho proprietor Mr. Psriangssnd the favor OF
the public 70 subsequent representations was bat reuc
family won back.
The building was twice erected II was Immediately
after m completion destroyed by Ore, and Its cost fell
q heavy los upon Mr. fA,robo, the architect IL was
rebuilt by Mr. r Davis sr., In 1sl7 The ballroom
nected with II has its own history itself. and n We re-
member rightly here that Jackson and Lafayette
fssed their second visits TO this city. The balls
which have been given there since the have not In
all respects been Of the same fashionabe character
The ruined appearance Of the buildingwhich, by the
way, exhibited Ia Tour dc Nesie one Of the goomisst
and darkest tragedies written upon M last perform
night at present fair representation Of the
fortunes Of those who any way interested In 10
~ the time Of lie destruction.
The theatre was valued 500 0o0 and the proprietor
In sHid have paid 200 In gold for u before the
The mnnagcr Of the theatrical company invested
s0000 tabout $40 600 greenbscks In his unorunats en-
tcrpss and Hypoc whohad charge a the conechouse,
fruit room bah room, and was adding an eating house
saloon, had, according 20 his own statement, spsnt
$4,000 In putting his premises In order and obtaining
ID stock OF this he only loses 5000, as the r-
mAindcr OF his Investment was covered BY insurance
The present season has been unfortunate one for
the theatrical world, and recalls 70 mind the terrible
tragedy Of the Evening STAR Counting the failure ol
Mrs Howard af tho olympic and tho loss OF sope siags
properties q the Varieties by the sinking OF the Even
Ing Star the g. Charlss remains the ooly theets>
which has far escaped Losses whatever The dis
solution Of three theatrical companies alone n event
believe which has been ohroniced In this city
before In one season and the msfortunes Of mana
gers aud actors are The msfortunes Of the public an
such trust will never occur again.