262 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 1809. 



Several persons were examined ; 

 and from their depositions it was 

 tolerably conclusive that the flames 

 originated in the cofiee-room on 

 the first tier, immediately over the 

 grand coffee-room, and under ihe 

 two shilling gallery. This is the 

 belief of the proprietors. It also 

 appeared that a person of the name 

 of Phillip?, who resides in Cross- 

 court, Russell-court, gave the first 

 alarm at the stage-door, and after 

 that he left the theatre to alarm his 

 own family, and again returned, 

 and in the intermediate time three 

 otherpersonsarrivecl. With respect 

 to the cause of the fire, it is all yet 

 surmise. The woman who has 

 been spoken of as running about 

 the stage in a frantic manner, turns 

 out to be Mrs. Scott, the actress, 

 who resides within a door or two 

 of the theatre, and whose distress 

 of mind may be easily accounted 

 for. 



The catastrophe which has be- 

 fallen this magnificent pile now be- 

 gins to excite some emotions of a 

 different nature from those of keen 

 regret and strong surprise, which it 

 at first created in every bosom. 

 The public should be cautious in 

 giving credence to some fables 

 which are in circulation. We have 

 now to call their attention to one 

 or two facts, which are as certain 

 as they are important. It has been 

 reported, that an anonymous letter 

 had been received by an illustrious 

 personage, immediately after the 

 fire in St. James's palace, intimating 

 *' that his royal highness would 

 shortly hear of the destruction of 

 other public buildings in the same 

 manner." Such a letter, we can 

 now aver with confidence, was ac- 

 liiallij received by the high person- 

 age to whom it was so strangely 



addressed. It did not at first en- 

 gage any particular attention; but, 

 on learning the calamitous event 

 of Friday night, his royal highness 

 sent for Mr. Sheridan, and after 

 expressing the kindest sympathy 

 in his great and unexpected loss, 

 communicated to that gentleman 

 the contents of this letter which 

 had been received some weeks be- 

 fore. 



With respect to this mysterious 

 letter, whether it was meant as an 

 effusion of malice, gratified in some 

 degree, but not yet satiated ; or 

 whether it was intended as a me- 

 nace, calculated for the attainment 

 of some object as yet unspecified, 

 it must be fruitless at the present 

 moment to inquire. We should 

 not probably have laid so much 

 stress on an anonymous scroll, if it 

 were >iot coupled with another 

 singular and authenticated occur- 

 rence, which our readers will pe- 

 ruse, as we heard it, with sensa- 

 tions of horror and indignation. — 

 It is positively stated that, about 

 five weeks since, a train of gun- 

 powder was discovered at the 

 King's Theatre, disposed evidently 

 for a mischievous purpose. This 

 circumstance has been hitherto 

 concealed through motives of pru- 

 dence. We now give it publicity 

 from motives equally justifiable. 

 We think that men who have em- 

 barked a large property in such 

 concerns, are certainly entitled to 

 public protection. If such a plan 

 ofwide-spreading mischief be afloat, 

 and there is certainly some evidence 

 of that fact, the vigilance and cau- 

 tion of individuals are of no avail. 

 A parliamentarj' reward should be 

 offered, after due inquiry, for the 

 detection of the offenders and their 

 accomplices. 



General 



