New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-09

her charred body carried to the Morgue.
where It identified this evening by Coquelin
cadet and others
Sylvan. the veteran actor, and Delaunay,
OF the famous Socetaire. by their GOODNESS and
well timed efforts rescued several OF their COM
rades, and with Baron Henri de Rothschild or
ganized amateur service to save some of the
treasures OF art that for over a century have
accumulated in the Theatre Francais. Most of
these works of art have perished. 1t was not
generally known that the gallery of pictures
and statuary Of the Comedie Francaise was un-
question1bly the finest museum Of dramatic
thors and artists in existence. The famous gall
lery Of busts Of all eminent actors and actresses
who In the past have honored the Theatre Fran
Gals is now lost. a large portrait OF Rachel by
Gerome is burned. So also are the famous por-
traits OF Mile. Clairon Medea, of David Gar
rick Of Mile. Mars and of Adrlenne Lecouvreur
A fine portrait Of Moliere by NIegnard his friend
ard companion, has been saved. The portrait of
Moere breakfasting with Louis XIV is de-
stroyed. Two of the best works of Houdon the
bust of Moliere and the lifelike seated statue of
Voltaire, the bust of Jean Jacques Rousseau
by Cafferi, the sitting statue of George Sand.
the superb head Of Dumas the elder with the
negro blood fully apparent In his thick lips:
Carpaux's bust Of Dumas fills and the statue
OF Talma are also destroyed or badly damaged.
"A ike Idtt mas DeIallen the superb statues OF
Mile. Mars as Comedy and Of Mile. Rachel as
Tragedy
Perhaps sadder still to relate is the terrible
havoc made by the flames in the archives and
library containing invaluable theatrical records
OF the last two hundred years and the registers
wherein were noted day by day every incident
Of the Theatre Francais the receptions, cast
and success of each play the register be-
ginning with the journal Of Lagrande. the fell
tox- o.o+o oP
scarcely break, to the present day Among
the manuscripts lost is the famous epitaph on
Moiere. written by the hand of Lafontalne
Many manuscripts however. have been saved
but II is safe to say that no fire IN Paris since
the days OF the Commune has been attended
with such prodigous and irreparable loss to art
the destruction to-day of the Theatre Fran
Gals All the superb Louis Seize and Empire
furniture is destroyed. So also the cos
tunes. scenery and mountings OF "Patrie."
which under rehearsal. being rehearsed
under the personal supervision of Sardou for
the Exhibition season.
The of the fire is traced to old fash
ioned hot air furnace. which heated the walls
and finally set fire to some scenery. Afterward
a loud explosion took place. probably due to gas.
But this explosion was the consequence Of the
fire and not its cause.
A bill has been placed before the Chamber of
tions which were arranged for the Theatre
Francais during the Exhibition season to be
given at the Odeon.
1t is almost scandalous to relate that for fully
fifteen minutes water could he supplied to
the fire engines and this unaccountable fact
abIed the flames to make such headway that
all efforts later unavaillng to the
theatre and its priceless art treasures This is
all the more inexcusable because already u
warming of danger had occurred February
% also q Thursday matinee. when the same
old fashioned hot air furnace began to smoke
and caused panic. c. |. b.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS OF THE FIRE
GREAT THRoNGs GATHERED TO WATCH THE
DESTRUCTION OF THE THEATRE FRANCAIs
Paris March s-The theatre, which is the homo
Of the Coincide Francaise. WAS only opened a fort
night ago. AFTER having been renovated for the
Exposition throngs expected to visit Paris during
the year with Dumass fls's drama, "Dlane de
Lys," for which special set scenery and cos
tunes had been provided.
was billed for the matinee was held this morning
and had just concluded when the IRE broke out.
The dome has collapsed and the interior Is
utter wreck The magnificent ceiling. bearing the
aI,egorica painting by Mazerolle. the ceiling paint
ing by Debufes the younger, of Truth Enlghten-
ing the World" which adorned the foyer. and
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