| Citation |
MS-B.772.065
5 Sep 1772:1092,1093 (2/81)
May 30. The calamity attending the late fire at the play-
house, Amsterdam, was not so bad as has been represented;
for by a printed account received by yesterday's mail, it
appears 31 persons only perished on that melancholy
occasion. During the fire, a desperate gang of villains
tore and cut from the hands, necks and ears, of the living
as well as the dead and dying, ladies, diamonds and other
jewels to a very great amount. Some among the unfortunate
ladies who narrowly escaped, give a variety of dismal
anecdotes, one of which is worthy notice, viz. A gentleman
no less distinguished by birth and fortune than by the
integrity of his character, was heard, in the midst of his
distress, to offer publickly a gratuity of 50,000 crowns
(5000 L Sterling) to any person rescuing his wife (whose
hold he lost through the violence of the throng) from the
jaws of death; the attempt appeared impracticable, he was
also heard to say he could not but share the same fate with
his wife; he turned back, threw himself into her arms, and
fell; in this affecting position they were dug from under
the ruins, the next morning.
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