NOBODY TO BLAME.
LAMENTABLE as was the accident at Covent Garden Theatre, all must agree that nothing can be more satisfactory than the result of the inquiry into its causes. In this, as in every other case of the sort which has happened for some years past, nobody was to blame. The oil would ooze, the gas would escape, the safety-lamp would not give light enough, another lamp would come to the scene of danger, the vapour would come in contact with it—hence the mis- chief, and the impeccability of all persons concerned or affected by it. Formerly we used to lay these misfortunes to the account of the stars, and perhaps it was in some respects better to refer disaster to them than to leave it in the vacuum of perfect blame- lessness.
By the inquest on poor Mr. COOKE, it appears that he was only an amateur manager of gas ; and by the verdict it is decided that he came to his death " through the incautious use of a common lamp instead of a gas-lamp." In like manner, SKINNER, the pro- fessional gas-man, "met his death accidentally, by the incautious introduction of a back-lamp." But nevertheless nobody is to blame, because it is not the business of anybody to compel measures of caution. There is nothing like practice. We will venture to say, that if the theatres were burnt and blown up half-a-dozen times more, they would make rules for the use of proper lamps with proper precautions. The powder-magazines are in the constant habit of blowing up ; and, consequently, understanding the business well by a good experience, they would not suffer a person to enter a corning-house with a flaming flambeau in his hand. In one point the theatre showed prudence, and that was in inviting the Public to contribute to the support of the families of the poor fellows killed in its service. The Public is always good in affairs of' charity, and never stops to ask where the onus of obligation justly presses.
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