| Citation |
VGW(HU.772.124
20 Aug 1772:12 (1099)
London, May 19. Drury Lane and Covent Garden Theatres have
cisterns of water at the top of the houses, sufficient to
extinguish any fire. A comical saying of Ryan on this
subject is still fresh in many peoples memories. A false
alarm once being given of a fire in the house, Ryan came
foreward, and addressing himself to the company, said,
"Ladies and gentlemen, you need not be afraid of fire, for
we have a cistern of water at the top of the house that
could drown you all in a minute." This, to be sure, was
some comfort; drowning is an easier death than burning.
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