The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-03-22
EIGHTY BODIES RECOVERED
In the Ruins of the Theatre at opor-
to, Portugal.
a Fire which Recalls the Similar
Horrors of Last Year.
General News from the Countries OF
the Old World.

OPORr0, Portugal, FEB. 2l.-While per
formanee was in progress at the Thea
tire last night, an explosion Of gas occurred
and the theatre took fire and was destroyed.
The house was full Of spectators.
Eighty bodies have been taken from the
ruins. most Of them burned. They were In
the third tier OF boxes and the galleries.
where whole families were suffOcated. There
was a terrific struggle at the doors when the
spectators tried to escape and large numbers
were suffocated and trampled upon. Many,
on reaching the street. were so seriously in
jured that they vomited blood. Nearly all
the victims were spectators. The actors es-
capped In their theatrical costumes. Many In
the theatre, finding themselves unable to
reach the doors, jumped from the windows.
Some corpses have been found In the stage
boxes. The gas was extinguished shortly af-
ter the fire broke cut, this adding to the con-
ParneIps Bill.
LONDON, March 21.-In the Commons. Mr..
Parnell moved the second reading Of his ar
rears of rent bill. He spoke on the subject
but the House refused TO order the bill TO its
second reading, 328 to 243.
Little Josefs English Rival.
One of the new youthful prodlgies made
his appearance before critical private audi
ence in London Monday night. The name
Of the child is Otto Hegner. little fellow In
a black knickerbocker suit. He Is OF Ger
man extraction, and although only ten years
Of age has the confidence and bearing Of
man Of thirty. He has been ordained from
infancy for the musical profession. and his
tuition has been based upon lines Of thor
ough practical work rather than In a desire
for early maturity. Mondays experiment
revealed the wonder. II anything. superior
TO young Hoffman,. He Is fully equal to that
child. In mechanical precision and In deal
ing with technical difficulties he may be con-
sidered his superior. In thorough musical
knowledge he Is long way beyond H0f-
mann. He has been trained first by his
father until years Of age. and after that by
Franz Fricker for four years. Since that
time he has been under the direction Of Hans
Huber. the distinguished composer Of Basle,
while Alfred Gieus gave the child practical
and theoretical training. at the same time.
Experts now say that the child Is a finished
pianist. His rendering OF Chopin's study In
A fiat was considered perfect, while In
Beethovan's sonata In B fiat he showed q
marvellous degree of musical feeling.
London happenings.
Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain has refused the
baronetcy offered him in consequence Of his
services In negotiating the fisheries treaty.
II Is surmised that he wishes to walt and see
the result Of his work in America before ac-
cepting em0luments therefor.
The vacant KnighthoOd Of the Garter has
been conferred upon the Marquis Of London
derry, Lord Lieutenant OF Ireland.
The COns0ls conversion bill passed the
committee stage in the Commons Tonight.
The Queen left Windsor to-day for Ports
mouth, en- route for Italy, accompanied by
the Prince and Princess Of Battenberg.
Frederick's Health.
BERLIN. March 21.-The Emperor passed
a good night and feels stronger today. He
received the Crown Princess this afternoon.
The Empress will hold a morning reception
at Charlottenburg, Saturday.