The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-12-15
Especial Correspondence Of the Troy Daily
Tlmes.l
THE HERMIT,s LETTER.

loptCldl correspondence VI luo ivy Ohhy /
Tlmes.l
THE HERMITs LETTER.
The Destruction Of the Brooklyn Theatre
"Reminiscences of other Theatres that have |
been Burned-Barrett's "King Lear"-The |
Picture Galleries Amateur Theatricals,
etc
NEw York, Tee. 8, 1870
The recent burning of the Brooklyn thea |
tire adds ore more to the grand conhagra-
tons which have marked the history of
such places OF amusements, but, in point
of horror, it must long stand alone. The
papers have given its heart-rendng details,
from which the sensitive mind recoils, and
! shall not recall them now. It'll matter of
curious interest to look at the varied fate of
American theatres, and yet this special cal
amity is not confined to this country.
Drury Lone was once burned down, and on
its reopenng an address, written by Byron,
was spoken by one of the best players.
It's opening lines recall the late Brooklyn
catastrophe:
In one dread night our city saw and sighed,
Bowed TO the dust the dramas tower and pride,
In one short hour beheld the blazing fame,
Apollo sink and Shakespeare cease ~ reign.
The Brooklyn theatre was fine estab-
lishmeut, and has had az much patronage
as could be expected in second.class city.
Henceforth the name can only call up Wis
ions of un1tterlble horror.
NEW YORK THEATRES.
The drama was first started in this city
in 1853 by the company from England, the
chief performers being the Italians,
name long connected with the American
Stage The theatre was first Nassau street,
then 10 John street, and afterward The Park
was built, the latter being the first to burn
down. 1t was erected in 1897, and was de-
stroJ cd in 1920. This, however, was not
the first calamity of the kind in America.
The burning Of the Richmond theatre took
place December &c, 1911, and was one of
the most horrible of such Catistrophes,
since a large portion of the audience per.
ished in the lanes. The total numt or of
the victims was 20, among whom was Lieut..
Gibbon, one of Washington lrving's friends
Another was the governor of the ttlte.
The burning of the Park, to which allusion
has been made, was never accounted for
The house had been used for a popular per-
| torrance, and the Waterman at midnight
discovered the fire, which was beyond
human power. This happened at the tint
when Edmund Kean was starring in this
country. temporary play house was
opened in Anthony street, AMI there the
great tregedian appeared in some of his
| finest characters. The Park was soon re-
built, only to share similar fate before 80
years should elapse
TIE BowERY.
This was built soon after the Burning of
the Park, on land owned by the once ia
nous Bowery butcher, Henry Asior. The
BOwery was intended TO attract the pat
ronage of the masses. The Park kept the
price up to 81 for boxes, while he Bow
cry was so cents. Here Tom Hanblin be-
came the master spirit and reoiyed the
homage of the Bowery boys for many
year. The Bowery was burned twice, the
present structure being the third erected on
that plot. Tom Hamblin at one time en-
gagged Charles Kean, and gave the BOwery
the dig1i'y of first class tragedy. l saw
this remarkable performer in Iago and did
not regret, poor as was, expendpy quar-
ter for seat in the gallery. Forest was
a frequent star at the Bowery, hut, like
Kean and Hamblin, he has gore to the
grave.
OTHER THEATRES
The National opera house, which stood
on Church street corner Ct Leonard, was
once popular place of entertainment, but
1t went into grand cnhlgration Ue after
noon while they were pSnaring ,-
form a1ce. Next came the PdrS ~ dege,
which had be en- thoroughly reflted by Tom
Hamblin. He had abandoned the B )wery
in order to try legitimate drama, aud had
| lust opened the winter season with brilliant
success. Ga Saturday, night, December l6,
1913, the play of "Richari III" had been
announced, but at 6 o'clock in the evening
the house was found to be on fire, and it
afforded one eft the finest pyrOteclhics of
the kind The Park belonged to Jbhn ia
cob Astor, and by his d, ath had become
the property of his son William. AS the
latter was al5o tho heir of his uncle Henry,
he was at that time the owner OF the two
theatres. The properly still remains in the
Astor family, but the site of the PLAY house
is covered by what are called the "Park
theatre slorts
TIE FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE.
1t will soon be three years since this es
tabhshment shared a similar fate. 1t wal
a popular place of amusement, and had ar
encouraging attendance till sudden destruc
lion came upon Tie interests of both man
ager and player. The loss of costumes
was very heavy, and probably $4,000
would hardly cover it. Since then thu
theatre has been rebuilt and is now ready
for another fire. Another once importan
place of amusement, which was destroyed
in a similar manner, was the first academy
of music. 1t had been some years in ser
vice when the calamity occurred, and il
the course If few hours the once stately
edifice was a mass of ruins. To these IS t
he addel the old Niblo establishment, whicl
was turned into theatre when Metropoi
tan hotel was built. This was burned dOwi
ut midnight, and no immediate cause of tn,
fire was ever discovered. Besides these re
markable series Of distractions It may b.
added that BaInum's museum has twic
been burned to the ground. This doubl
calamity may have betn the mems of lead
, ing BarDum INTO tnat ltlnefacy winch ma
been 80 marked fe lture of his latter days
He has not since the last fire attempted any
thing more permanent than winter enter
tanment.
THE BROOKLYN CALAMITY.
This is the first time any theatre in TIL
vicinity has taken fire during a perform
ance. 1t is the only fire of the kind who's
origin has been detected. The effect o
the theatrical public will be very damal
ing, for the sense of insecurity will. spo
any performance. AS the fire took plac
, in the most profitable part of the season
the effect will be felt more severely. Tn
prefent time till Lent is the theatrical hal
vest, which is therefore seriously impaired
Collections will be taken up for sufferin