The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-05-23

ings consumed The fire broke out at the
Academy only few moments after the audi
ence that had attended the performance by
Manager Grau's troupe had left the building.
Had the flames burst forth one-half hour sooner
the loss of life would have been fearful. AS it
was several gallant members of the paid Fire
Department were buried in the ruins. We
upon this occasion will lead to the passage of
a law compelling all places of amusement to
be made perfectly fireproof This precaution is
taken In regard to buildings which are to be
used for the storage Of valuable merchandise,
but buildings that are to be crowded with
human beings are erected of the most
flimsy materials. There are theatres in this
city which are mere shells and invite the
flames. We hope that the Fire Marshal win
investigate this matter, and if he can do nothing
more let him at least prevent the aisles O
our theatres from being blocked up with chairs
and camp stools, rendering sudden egress in
case of fire impossible.
Ofall the public buildings of this metropolis
the Academy of Music is the one which can be
best spared. In a financial point of view IL
has been failure from the beginning. The
stockholders sunk so much money in it that
they have never been able to obtain fair in
terest upon their investments. AS an Academy
il was still greater failure. The original
intention was to make it a conservatory of
musical art where our native singers could be
educated. This intention has never been car
ried out The Academy has produced no
singers; but it has injured the voices Of
many artists who have sung there. AS
an opera house it was altogether too large
for the artists and for the public. Expert
ence has shown that opera houses
must not be such barns as the Academy was.
In Paris the new Opera House, upon which the
best taste of the French people has been en-
ployed, is much smaller than any Of its pre-
decessors. The Academy would have been
useful for public mestings, and to this purpose
il was becoming exclusively devoted. Still,
now that it is gone nobody will miss it AS
an opera house it will be superedeJ by the
new French theatre, which opens on Saturday
evening, and by Steinway's new edifice, to be
erected on Fourteenth street, opposite Irving
place. For concerts we already have several
good rooms, and Stcinway's hall will soon be
completed and will meet the public demand.
For political and other meetings we have tho
Cooper Institute and many minor buildings.
Thus by the enterprise of our citizens the
place of the Academy was being supplied
even while that ediice still stood, ana as if in
anticipation of its demolition. Ii the Academy
stockholders should resolve to rebuild their
hall it is to be expected that their plans Will be
upon a much less colossal SCALE and that a
site further up town will be selected. To
throw away more money where so much has
already been wasted would be absurd and ex-
travagant.
The lessons Of the Academy FIRE will NOS be
lost upon the public if they lead to greater
care In the construction and arrangement of
our places of amusement, and if they correct
the mistaken impression that the members OF
the paid Fire Department are not as willing as
the old volunteer force to risk life and limb in
the performance of their duties From all ac-
counts the 6remen behaved admirably, although
their numbers were insufficient for so immense
too slow in some Of their mannuvrcs. II il
reported that the fire was the work Of an incen-
diary, and we urge the authorities 10 use their
utmost energies to discover the offender. II is
evident that il the Academy were set on fire
maliciously the incendiary intended the fire to
occur while the audience was in the building.
The atrocious scheme may have been con-
cocted for purposes of plumber, since the
ladies and gentlemen Of the audience
could have been easily robbed while making
their escape. This may have been the motive
of the arson, or private malice may have ac-
tuated it. The duty Of the authorities is
clearly to determine from the best evidence
they can collect whether the condagration was
accidental, and to discover, If it were not acc-
dental, who is the wretch that kindled ii. Our
citizens cannot feel cafe while such an incen.
diary is at liberty. For the rest, we suggest
that benefit be given to the wives and fami-
lies of the frcmen who lost their lives at this
fire, and another benefit for the minor artists
whose wardrobcs have been destroyed. Much
Of the scenery and properties in the building
belonged to tho stockholders, and was doubt
less insured, or will be covered by the insur-
ance upon the building. The operate ward
robe Of Manager Grau, together with the ship
and the tree that caused 80 much mcrriment
recently, was consumed; but Grau Is full of
tact and talent and can retrieve his
own losses without any outside assistance.
The public should help those who need
help most, and we hope, therefore, that no
time and money will be wasted in getting up
silly testimonials and complimentary benefits
70 persons who are 30 situated as to look upon
this fire only as grand advertisement, but
that every dollar that may be contributed, or
that can be collected, or that may accrue from
legitimate benefit performances, viii be dis
tributed by competent committee among the
families Of the 6remen and Of the poor artists
and HE other sufferers who have lost their