105A (Vol. 2)

FIRST STONE OF ASTLEY’S THEATRE.

Monday Mr. ASTLEY, sen. of Westminster-bridge, laid the first stone of his New Amphitheatre, to be erected on the scite [sic] of the old one, lately destroyed by fire. The ceremony was performed at ten o’clock in the morning, in the presence of his troop, consisting nearly on one hundred persons, and a vast comourse [sic] of spectators. Mr. ASTLEY, in a speech nearly as follows, thus addressed his Company, Viz.

“Gentlemen, the hand of Providence, which lately visited the Royal Saloon, and reduced it to ashes, as you now see, has occasioned a loss to us beyond all calculation, and which, indeed, is the more felt by myself, as it so soon followed that of my property in a neighbouring kingdom, amounting to 12,000l. in consequence of a decree for the confiscation of British property. My Amphitheatre, which occupied this spot, having become a prey to the flames, nothing was to be done for the moment, but to find out a situation, in order to employ a part of the troop; they Lyceum in the Strand was accordingly engaged by Mr. Astley, jun. and it is with pleasure I now inform you, that the inhabitants of London, feeling for my loss, have rendered the receipts at the Lyceum far beyond my expectation. I hope, by perseverance and industry, to re-establish myself on this ground, for which I purpose I now deposit the first stone, relying on Providence, and on the patronage of a generous Public. Gentlemen, the time crawls near when you are able to depart for Dublin, to witness that hospitality which you have so long and so often experienced. My best thanks are due to you, as also to the parishioners of Lambeth, and various other Gentlemen, who endeavour to rescue, at the hazard of their lives, a part of my property from the flames; and believe me, that no time, circumstance, or event, shall ever erase from my memory that sense of gratitude which is now impressed on my heart.”