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CHAPTER XV.

Drury Lane Theatre destroyed-Miss Farren-Mrs. JordanLetter to Sheridan-The Opera House-Lyceum-Natural history, rats, bugs-Covent Garden Company-Lord Harcourt's death-Miss Mellon-Ornithology-Miss WarrenWhimsical hoax-A Custom House clerk-A parlour scene -An uproar-" Invisiblina," lost.

ON the 24th of February of this year (1809), a convivial theatrical party was assembled in Lincoln's-inn Fields, at the house of Mr. Richard Wilson, a gentleman who had been appointed, in 1802, one of the board of management of Drury Lane Theatre.

This annual meeting had long been of the most joyous character. The host, esteemed for his hospitality, and the guests, comprising the leading performers of the above establishment, together with some of the choice spirits of the day, could hardly fail constituting a reunion of the most animated description. The "King's health!" had been already expressed in suitable demonstrations of loyalty, and

DRURY LANE THEATRE DESTROYED.

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Mr. Wilson was in possession of his friend's attention, by an occasional speech, on the state of affairs at Drury Lane, when about concluding his statement, with a hearty hurrah for its lasting prosperity, the butler rushed into the room, and announced Drury Lane Theatre in flames!

In a

The consternation may be easily imagined. moment the house of festivity was a desert-the whole party hurrying to the scene of destruction. A body of constables, as usual in such cases, had formed a barrier at a distance from the theatre, which Elliston had some difficulty in passing. He was, however, soon recognised, and fortunate enough in gaining that part of the building in which he had deposited sundry articles of value, amongst them, a specialty, on which he was just about to sue the individual liable under it.

Unhurt, but without his hat, he escaped with these effects from the burning pile, on which he had scarcely congratulated himself, when he discovered his watch was gone. The rogues! it was a gold repeater, which had belonged to the late Master of Sidney; the only tangible memorial which there had been any chance of his nephew's retaining, for all other bequests, being money, were about as secure in the hands of Elliston, as the Apollo at that very moment, on the liquefying roof of old Drury.*

* We subjoin the following extract from Moore's Life of Sheridan, on this calamitous event. "On the night of the

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It is curious to remark, that on the opening of the late theatre, which cost 129,000l., an occasional epilogue, spoken by Miss Farren, assured the public that a conflagration could never take place in that theatre, as they had water enough to drown authors, actors, auditory, and all their applause, to boot-at the conclusion of which, a shower of real water was produced, and an iron curtain let down in sight of the assured spectators. The result, however, forcibly reminds us of a friend, who was only overturned once during his life, in a stage-coach,

24th of February, when the House of Commons was occupied with Mr. Ponsonby's motion on the conduct of the war in Spain, and Mr. Sheridan was present, the house was suddenly illuminated by a blaze of light, and the debate being interrupted, it was ascertained that the theatre in Drury Lane was on fire.

"A motion was made to adjourn, but Mr. Sheridan said that 'Whatever might be the extent of the private calamity, he hoped it would not interfere with the public business of the country.' He then left the house, and proceeding to Drury Lane, witnessed, with a fortitude which strongly interested all, the entire destruction of his property.

"It is said, that as he sat at the Piazza Coffee House, during the fire, taking some refreshment, a friend of his having remarked on the philosophic calmness in which he bore his misfortune, Sheridan answered,' A man may surely take a glass of wine by his own fireside.'

"Without vouching," continues Moore, " for the authenticity of this anecdote, (which may have been, for aught I know, like the Wandering Jew, a regular attendant upon all fires since the time of Hierocles,) I give it as I heard it."

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which happened when he travelled by the "Patent Safety."

The fire happened on a Friday in Lent, when there was no play. It commenced in the coffeeroom of the theatre, which fronted Brydges Street, and from which there was a direct communication to the first circle of boxes. The workmen had quitted the house, leaving a flue overheated, and hence the origin of the calamity. The water which was to 'overwhelm the building in such an event, had been suffered to escape; and as to the iron curtain, there was no assistance at hand to drop it. The ruin was complete

"In one dread night, our city saw, and sigh'd,

Bow'd to the dust, the Drama's tower of pride-
In one short hour, beheld the blazing fane,
Apollo sink, and Shakspeare cease to reign."

Amongst the many epistolary attentions which Sheridan received on this event; the following was from Mrs. Jordan :

"Bushey House, Thursday.

"MY DEAR SIR, -It is not for one with such weak persuasions as mine, to attempt any consolatory address to you under this late calamity, who must have a mind to encounter any misfortune, as to comprehend all subjects. But I feel I should be wanting in respect to you, and most certainly to my own sense of kind obligations, were I to suffer an event, which calls forth the sympathy of the

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HER LETTER TO SHERIDAN.

whole world, to pass unnoticed by one, who has the happiness of being ranked amongst your friends. Believe me, my dear sir, I condole with you sincerely in this late calamity at Drury Lane. I lament, with the public, the destruction of that edifice, on whose ancient site so many dramatic triumphs have been celebrated, and none greater than your own. And I condole with those sufferers who, in having less strength of mind than yourself, may have had more need of it; who, in addition to their loss of all, find themselves unblest by the powers of regaining anything.

"But I am not without satisfaction in finding such prompt exertions are making for the benefit of our extensive company. I shall neither be wanting in effort or goodwill in the cause; and if my humble talent should be deemed advisable, do not let it remain idle on a single occasion.

My woman has been with me this morning. The attendants have been great sufferers. I am happy to find their salaries will be paid, should the public patronize.

"Believe me, my dear Sir,

"Your sincere friend, and humble servant,

Jorn Garden

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