The New York herald., 1875-02-23
evident that tie stage and Its accessories

evident that tie stage and It's accessories
wer, hopelessy iavolvcd, aod that the
pprooability OF saving aay portion OF the edi.
lice was remote. The hand enrInes, however.
began 10 play, ana did their hest, nut The effect
was hardly perceptible even In staying the spread
OF the connaRratipn, ana before the steam engine
came OH the spot. the ROOF OF the northern hall OF
the theatre. winch cJnfainei the stage ell IA with
a loud crash. TINS ~ the only part oi the building
near TO other houses, anu there was some Danger
IL the mischief spreading tU q rather dense DOCK
oi no uses immediately TO the rear. ana also TO
Roman CatnOlic chapel. Fortunately the
weather was calm, and rom the root OF the
chapel The lremen were able 10 direct a sufficiently
coplous stream OF water TO save the ADJOINING
premises II was about lorty minutes after the
first warning that tac roof OF the northern nalf
Iell in and IN less than an hour the whole interior
OF the fine structure had been gutted, ana when
finally the hames were got under the walls aone
were lei, standing, ana they aid not appear 10
have been very much injured.
1t Is conJectured that the ME originated In
an explosion OF the gas connected with
pauiOmme. This iE the third time the Theatre
Royai has Deen burned down within iorty years
the first time beng IN ls43, ana the next In
1861. On the second occasion the Dean OF Guild OF
the CITY, while directing tue operation OF the nre-
men, was Killed by the falling OF one OF The walls.
A year ago the theatre passed into the hands OF q
private gentleman III Edinb2rgh. who Is SAID 10
nave oeen FULLY insured.
HISTORY OF THE DULDING-INcIDENTs DURING
THE CONFEDERATION.
The Edinburgh Scotsman. OF February 8, supplies
the following facts:-
TIE building was erected from plans prepared
by Mr.. David McGibbJn, architecr. 1t Is Interest
ing TO note tnat previous to the open
ing or the theatre for public performances Mr.
Adam Beatue ana the late Dean OF Guild
Sncnnan, who were appointed by the
Lord Provost and magistrates to inspect It,
reported tnat "the theatre was sufficient In
all respects" adding hat '.the apparatus lor pre-
venting the spread OF lire, should fire occur, and
the means OF exit are oi the most satisfactory
Kind" Tne theatre was seated Tor 1881 persons.
The apparatus ior preventing the spread OF fire
consisted OF an iron screen made specially py
Mcssis. clark OF LOndou and hung at the proscen.
mum, 10 be worked by hydraulic power. AS an addi.
ti0nai precaulion, there was p,acei immediately
above the stage eastern capable Of containing
1000 gallons VI water. Hose as.always attached
to pipes connected with the cistern ready IN
case OF an emergency. bat on Saturday there
was no chance OF bringing the apparatus TO the
test oi actual tr'aL On the other hand, the great
heat evaporated the 1000 gallons OF water. and
the tank burst about four O'Clock with a
loud report, heard above the roar OF the fire.
For the new theatre Mr.. Wyndham had great
quantity OF scenery painted by Messrs. W. Gordon
F.nay. Edinburgh, and Mr. william Fisher.
Glasgow. TIE drop scene, ackno wledged TO DE a
most effective and artistic production OF the kind.
was painted Oy William Telon, the scenic artist
OF Her Majesiys Theatre, London.