The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-02

ughAly bet and gfAve.- He was, no doubt thinking
the boards that were at that moment heap Of
ashes. Mr.. Lewis at one time became SO excited
intent OF adding his efforts to those Of the nre.
men and aid in saving the building, but
him hack to conscien tiousness and he returned to
his former standpoint. Mr.. Lewis, like his mana
theatre. and the DESTRUCTION oft was the rst dis
appointment OF his life. The snow and sush in the
oeeS 70 e no scene IN ANA
the utmost sternness on the part OF the police to
keep them back The Fifth Avenue Hotel was
were all uncoupled there when the fire broke ont
deavoring to play upon the flames through the
broken bend OF hose pipe. 1t astonishing the
ing. The merest chance saved them last night, and
but for the bravery and daring OF the Fire Depart
mcnt questionable whether the hotel could have
been saved This recent epidemic in fires has
brought forward most prominently the necessity
OF increasing the force OF the Fire Department.
be performed by iire%en and " they S aione
should have control OF fires. The police
as they are at present constituted are barely sui
cient for their own work. and it is really crowding
too much duty upon them to keep them standing
for hours around fire when they should either be
resting or looking alter thieves IN their localities
The present
MISTAKEN FINANCIAL POLICY
Oh tue CITY government prevents anything like
proper disposition OF this most department.
II this respect; and It is to be hoped the Commits
made to the Department by the next Comptroller
One noticeable thing about the Fire Department Is
tnat the commissioners are always to be found on
the ground of a large fire, unlike our other heads
or departments, who content themselves with
hauling in all the money they lay hands upon
and letting the Department run itself.
aTHE FIRE IN THE THEATRE
occupied less than one hour, and in that time the
whole construction was mass OF ruins Mr.
DAILY lost all his valuable wardrobe and library, as
well as the fittings in the theatre.
MRS Gilbert was one the heaviest sufferers
monds and large portion Of her ward
robe She estimates her loss at $4,000.
Miss Clara Morris lost some magnificent costumes
and stage jewery. The lady was 80 distracted by
the news Of the flre she could not estimate her
loss but 1t s supposed by the actors in the theatre
Fanny Davenport according to Mr.. AppletOns re-
port, was the heaviest loser among the ladies'
next to Mrs. GILBERT Mr.. George Clarke, the
rising ruler Of American dramatic TASTE lost all
his modern wardrobe and large portion OF the
elegant costumes he wore in the old comedies.
modern wardrobe he valued at $1,000, and Mr..
Rockwell the elegant, suppOses his loss cannot bic
much beneath s., 100. Mr.. DeVere and his wife,
Miss Nellie Mortimer suffered loss of $500, and
Mr.. James Lewis lost property valued at 81, 200.
The actors in the theatre not only suffered the
son Is useless to them. And 1t Is to hoped some
substantial aid will be given to them, for they
each and every one favOrtes OF the public. A strong
feeling OF sympathy was shown for the actors last
night and 1t is to be hoped 1t will be kept up The
property belonged to Mr.. Amos +. EnO and the
the fire Is $27600O. subscription list was started
last night In the Fifth Avenue Hotel for the benefit
OF the actors 1t was headed by Mr.. william Wilkin-
| son for q handsome sum.