The New York herald., 1871-01-11
CHILE.
Burning Of tho Santiago Theatre-PoiiticnI
Movements Propasanaism In Chile.


Burning OF tho Santiago Thcatre-PoiiticnJ
Movements Prepasanaism In Chile.
VALPARAISO. Dec. 10. 1870
The only event OF interest that has occurred here
during the past week was the burning OF the mag
nifcent theatre Of Santiago the night Of the sth
instant. This building was erected In the year 1850
~ ths municipality ofthe capital. aided largely with
funds by the government, as a cost OF more than
5000 200, ana was beyond dispute the finest theatre
I'D South America. Capable OF holding nearly 5000
persons 1t has been the scene OF triumph for some
OF the most distinguished performers on the stage.
On the evening In question Miss Carlotta Patti
had achieved another Of her great successes
In Chile. The house had been nearly 6lled
and the audience had hardly left the building when
strong smell Of gas became very percephble. The
manager and employees Immediately shut or the
supply Of gas and paid attention to the source OF
the odor for more than an hour, when 1t became ne
cessary, on account OF Its increasing strength to
investigate the cause. Imprndently venturing be-
low the stage with naked light the manager sud.
denly became aware Of his danger by a violent ex
plosion, and provdentially escaped with but slight
contustons. The gas ignited by the lantern spread
In flames oil over the theatre and In few moments
IL was found impossible to enter the main body
Of the edifce. Although the most vigorous
exertisns were made by the 1remen and
police to subdue and extingush the connagration,
in two hours the beautiful theatre was O mass Of
ruins, and unfortunately, several lives were lost in
the vain attempts. 1t is rather coincidence that
this disaster occurred on the anniversary Of the
burning Of the church Of the company in December.
1858, on the religious anniversary OF which event
occurred also the dangerous accident in another
church, the facts Of which were given IN my last
letter. The government has already signiaea It's In
tention Of rebuilding the theatre without loss OF
time, and company has been formed to construct
the use Of the poorer ana working Glasses. The
chandelier in the theatre just destroyed Is
sayns more ss s"an lights Tns nnabitants q
the capital always viewing the building with pride.
are almost inconsolabls over Its loss. and some OF
arc rather more ridiculous than affecting. An enort
was made to add romantic shade TO the picture
eavlous OF the enjoymens Of his fellow beings, In.
dulged 10 the gratifying amusement Of placing guam.
riies Of kerosene In different portions OF the build
ing and then igniting them but 10 the disappoint-
ment Of number Of newspaper readers the origin
Of the FIRE was discovered before the flames assumed
Congress has done nothing during the course Of
the last week save waste valuable time In discuss
Ing the mode In which some railway loans were
were made hers and sent to the representative of
Chile In London the Exchequer would have gained
circumstances the state Of the money market
In Europe varied and this government lost Hence
the discussion, brought ABOUT Dy some or the OppO
stion party, for che sole purpose Of bringing their
iio With % an ulterior view towards the The com. SSu
ing elections. The committees appointed TO
select candidates for the Presidency have not
as yet been able TO arrive at any satisfactory conclu.
slon 1t is imagined that by the 1st Of January next
the MyYites Of the different parties WIN be made
k4Sga N Ss, e inc a5Sa pap as6S SaS then that the campaign
The Protestant Bible Society, established for the
Distribution and sale where practicable, OF the Holy
Scriptures in CNle, has recently been loud IN It's
lie. 1t appears that q coporteiir some weeks since
found himsef IN one OF the interior towns and met
with some success in MS mission. boy presented
family, which were Immediately given to him.
Instead however, Of delivering the books to his
paternal relative the young man bestowed them
bestowed them 10 the flames, Informing the colpor
teur In very polite terms tnat that edition Of the
Scriptures was not generally used or permitted IN
dress In law but found that no relief could be had.
As is well knowD other religions than the Catholic
are oniy tactly allowed During last month, how
eyer eighty copies & 9l ing Protestant edton Of tne
From all quarters OF the republic we hear the
most discoura2ing news respecting what appears
to be an extensively organized system OF brigand.
age equaing the now exploded Italian in effective
ness, but far surprising it III cruelty and savasery.
Throughout the smaller villages and on the isolated
estates these villains commit the most unheard-or
outra2es, venting their malice In horrible manner
upon defencelesS women ana children, while the
government troops are either idle IN useless garrison
duty or playing another act In the great Araucanian
farce. 1ae barbarOus character of the lower classes
OF the Chilean peasantry ts well known; but the de-
tails Of some OF the proceedings OF these bandits
show an ingenuity Of cruelty never surpassed.
The Indians make occasional raids, when out or
provisions. The troops awake to action alter the
disappearance OF the enemy.
In commercial circles the situation is the same as
wuen last wrote.