ABSTRACT
When the new Drury Lane Theatre was opened on April 24, 1794, a special epilogue was written by James Boaden, the biographer of Sarah Siddons, which drew attention to the marvellous fire precautions. It was spoken by Miss Pope, the original Mrs Candour: The very ravages of fire we scout, For we have wherewithal to put it out; In ample reservoirs, our firm reliance Whose streams set conflagrations at defiance. Panic alone avoid, let none begin it – Should the flame spread, sit still, there nothing in it, We’ll undertake to drown you all in half a minute.
