The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-26

tailed estimate Of his losses Everything in the thea
tr was consumed except tho Darroom. the only nrs
Zaniretta, OF the Zanireta troupe who were have
performed at tho theatre this week. The box Office
above, which Is only injured by Tho safo and
contents, being the receipts OF several performances,
&c, were preserved uniniured by Mr. Harrison, the
treasurer. Mr. Wood Benson, the manager for Mr.
Fox was found by the HERALD correspondent, to
whom he stated that the loss the theatre would be
about $225, 1000, on which there insurance Of
only about $4,000. Mr. Benson states. concerning
the origin OF the Are, that Il began in the northeast
OF the building directly back OF the paint room,
in the flies. The pant room had not been occupied
for ten days the painters having been discharged and
the closed since that time. He could not in any
way account for the fire. unless tho oils IN the paint
room had caused spontaneous combustion. Among
obor articles said to havo been lost in this theatre
valuable painting which Mr.. Fox refused $40, 600 tor
recently. Tho building was owned by company,
and run by Mr. Fox who was one OF its owners.
There is rumor on the streets that tho theatre was
set ire by an incendary, having been insured be-
yond its value THIS would appear TO be eilectually
disposed OF by Mr. Benson's declaration that tho
policies only amount to $4,000. and the building II
known to havc cost about $3.50, 00o
THE EMPLOYEES LOSS
As usual tho actors ana actresses suffer severely
There not being from the lowest 10 tho highest
who not the loser OF wardrobe or properties Nile.
Alexandria loses ali her handsome dresses aud articles
OF Jewery Miss George May suffers the loss OF an her
wardrobe Miss Jennie Yeaman Is heavy loser; John
Pendy lost all his character costumes; MT Fitzpatrick,
his entire wardrobe; the Zaniretta Pantomme Com
bnatou who 10 open this week, Is said TO have
lost all wardrobe and properties but this could
not he traced to any reliable source.
Mcssrs. Incc, Forbes Danvcrs, Myers and Misses Leo
Gordon, Susie Warren, Coral Leigh and the super
numcrarics all lost their wardrobe.
HISTORY OF THE THEATRE.
Tho burned building formerly the Academy OF
Fine Arts being changed into theatre after extensive
alterations and preparations by Robert Fox, IN 1870,
and opened TO the pubic on saturday night, Do
cembcr II, OF that year. 1t was completed at great
expense the cost, as stated by the PROPRIETOR being
OF Chestnut street TO Marble alley, the ground plan
giving to the auditorium space Of 1O3xlOO feet the
in the space OF 36x53 feet the entrance being through
an arcade IA feet wide The stage 100x3S feet, and
had all the modern improvements
Tho walls Is said wero IL inches thick, with piaS.
tors cet inches think TO sustain the rafters for the
roof each grder being estimated to bear weight OF so
without detection. Tho parquct parquet circle
aud first and second in height so loot The
galleries open iron wire, with wnlte ana gold,
with crimson showing through On each side OF the
auditorium five private boxes making in tho two
tiers twenty boxes, exclusive OF stage boxes.
The dome of the theatre was 20 loet IN diameter, and
from line the ceiling rs feet high Suspended
from tho dome magnificent chandelier, while five.
light gas brackets wcrc arranged in 'front.' OF tho tiors
and against the walls.
Tho theatre was not only one oi the largest but
OF tho handsomcst theatres in tho country.
As originally constructed, II contained an orchestra
and parquct circle, dress circle and gallery.
In the summer Of 1875 additional gallery was con-
structcd which increased the seating capacity to 1850,
less than one nth OF tho seats being down stairs.
THE WEEKS PERFORMANCES.
The programme included performances by tho scnsa-
tionul dramatic artists, Miss Kate Raymond and b.
Collln really wonderful and interesting exhibition
of Juggling by Mons Bushnell and Zarena, wherein the
former surrounded tho body OF his companion stand.
ing tho width OF the stage with sharp knives. There
was also number OF variety features, including bur-
esouc song dance vocallsms, dancing. gymnasts,
&C., &C, by tho regular company and specially en-
gagged performers
WHAT WAS TO BE PLAYED
The present week the famous Zaniretta Pantomime
Company to have begun an engagement in tho
new production "a Fat Mans Frocs, - Tor which
special preparation had been made Tho bill an.
also IN other features of the usual
rlety and attractivencss introducing largo number
OF artists
SKETCH OF THE LIBRARY.
Tho Mercantile Library was founded IN 1861, and the
building at present occupied was inauguratcd on the
18th of July 1862 IT stands on lot having front
on Tenth street OF 96 feet and depth along Marble
street OF 3Ol The whole of this space is covered
by the building, except Offset OF 10 feet on the
south SIDE left open, portion Of It as garden do
rated with fountains and vases, and the remainder
as a passage way After deductng this offset, thero
still of over "a 900 square feet GU the
first floor alone larger than that Of any other library
building in America and nearly double that OF the
great reading room Of the British Museum.
The cost OF the building may be seen from the
following statement