Transcription
THE FIRE AT ASTLEY’s THEATRE.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
Mr. and Mrs. Astley, junior, were sleeping at a small country-house they have at East Sheen.—An express was sent immediately the fire was known, and Mr. Astley was on the spot by five o’clock, just in time to know that the flames had completely devoured the whole of his property, valued at more than thirty thousand pounds. Mrs. Astley followed, and on hearing the fate of her mother, she fell into violent hysterics, from which she was with difficulty recovered. We understand Mr. Astley has insured parts of the value of his premises at various fire-offices, but to nothing like the whole amount. Under such circumstances, afflicted by so many grievous misfortunes, we are sure he will find relief in a British Public.
With the exception of the horses, scarcely any part of Mr. Astley’s property was saved. A few scenes, not more than loaded a cart, which were in the outer apartments, were obtained, but nothing else. The music-room, with all its contents, were entirely destroyed. In this was deposited the music of all the pieces which had ever been brought out at the Amphitheatre, and which, in all, had cost Mr. Astley 15 000l. The music was legible yesterday on the black flakes of the consumed paper. All the musical instruments, some of them very valuable, belonging to the individuals of the band, were destroyed. Some wrecks of them could be seen about the ruins; indeed the ruins presented many curiosities. The contents of the property-room, which, after being burnt, had fallen into the stables through the stage, were curious. Here were swords, the barrels of muckets, tin armour, and all the paraphernalia [sic] of kings and warriors, which the flames could not devour. Many individuals belonging to the Theatre, as well as the surrounding neighbours, have lost considerable property; and the least loss to the performers is not that they are now deprived, and that of the means of clearing off many an annual score.
The Guards arrived early in the morning, and relieved the Volunteer Corps. The Guards remained on duty all day and all night to protect the premises, and the property of the desolate inhabitants.
At eight o’clock on Friday night, the vast crowds pf persons flocking to see the ruins exceeded all calculation. They crowded from all parts of London, insomuch that the inhabitants were alarmed, and the guards were doubled. Perfect tranquility prevailed, however, the whole night. Some of the money which Mrs. Woodman went to save, was on Saturday found in the ruins.
Housekeepers whose goods are destroyed, and their houses damaged; Stangate—No. 4, Mr. Day; 7, Hogan; 8, Ruple; 9, Wilson; 10, Hill; 11, Warren; 12, Lodgers; 13, Parker, Pea Hen Public-house.
In stagnate-street, burnt out—Stanley, Billings, Gilbert. In the Gardens, Stangate-street—Gooder, Day, and Williams, not insured.
In Phoenix-street—Six houses damaged.
Westminster Road—Thompson, Scott, Fraser, Carmichael, and Elliot, the coach-maker’s premises, damaged. Burnt out—Holmes, Craven, Fisher, Astley’s in front—Damaged, Brown, Burnet, Cullen, and Mrs. Creed.
Musicians who lost their Instruments—Messrs. Broad, Sickle, Wright, Weldon, Elliot, Hossa, Taylor, Tate, Lockwood, and Jefferys.
Female Performers who have lost their Wardrobes—Mrs. Wybrow, Mrs. Wallack, Mrs. Broad, Miss Hall, Mrs. Burnside, Mrs. Sutton, and Mrs. Seaton.
Hobbs, Wright, and Broad, have numerous families of children. The greater part of the sufferers had not their property protected by any insurance.
It has been humanely suggested, that a subscription ought to be made for the relief of their distress.
In front, Mr. Brewer, Cloathsinan, had his house a little damaged. Craden and Jordan, Linen-drapers, were sufferers in the same manner. Carmichael, the Staymaker, and Foster, the oilman, suffered each a little in his house. Mr. Taylor, the Draper, had his house somewhat damaged.
The house of Mr. Elliot, Coachmaker, was protected by a strong party wall. On the West side of Phoenix-street, the houses were little injured. The back premises, belonging to Mr. Barnes, Carpenter, were somewhat injured.
