of our very best actresses, as was shewn in "Off the Line,”) Madame Celeste, Miss Glynn, Helen Faucit, Charles Kean, and Phelps. In later years Mr. Price, who afterwards took a very high position in London, was an excellent member of the stock company, as was also Mr. Sydney Bancroft, the well-known lessee of the Prince of Wales' Theatre, London, and husband of Marie Wilton. Mr. Bancroft's was the first Dundreary submitted to a Birmingham audience, almost before they had heard of Mr. Sothern, and he gained a considerable local reputation for refined comedy acting. Among the stars that used to visit us, I should have mentioned the Brothers Webb, whose natural "Twin Dromios," were so well-known. Harry Webb was an old Birmingham favourite, having been Mr. Atkins' predecessor as low comedian.

The opening of the Prince of Wales' Theatre was an event of considerable importance to me. By a lucky circumstance Mr. Swanborough settled upon the innocent Music Hall in Broad Street for his theatre, and its traditions, if few, were respectable. He did not go in for a regular dramatic license too, (it would probably have been refused him had he done so,) but only craved leave to produce "Operettas" and light dramatic trifles. Above all he christened his establishment the "Royal Operetta House," and to such an innocent place I managed as my years were increased to get permission to go, a few nights after the opening. It was no little treat to find myself in a theatre where P might look about me with perfect indifference as to who might see me; and as to "Operettas," there was a capital comedy called "Playing with Fire," (adapted from the French by John Brougham, who played the principal part), and a first-rate burlesque "The Invisible Prince,” in which the best known burlesque actress of the day, Miss Julia St. George, appeared. The stock company was a very good one and included Mr. E. Clifton, (who was until recently lessee of the Queen's Theatre, London), his wife, Miss Isabel Adams, Mr. Farrell, Amy Conquest, and Mr. G. K. Maskell, a low comedian of great merit. To these were afterwards added Mr. Bellair, Mr. Vollaire (who has since figured to advantage at many London theatres), and Mr. Joseph Irving, whose premature decease just when he had gained a first-class position, was lamented by all playgoers. I last saw him at the Olympic in "Little Emily," in which he played "Uriah Heep." It was the most truthfully played character in the play, not a whit inferior to Emery's Peggotty, and greatly superior to Mr. Rowe's Micawber. The whole London press testified to Mr. Irving's genius, and he seemed destined to take the very first rank in his profession when he was suddenly cut off. Space will not permit me to say anything of Miss Edith Stuart and many others of my old favourites, nor yet to tell of my six years playgoing in London. Of these, though, I may have something to say on another occasion, should our Magazine ever stand in need of a little dramatic "padding."

T. R.

I, 2, 3, 4, Subscribers.

5, Centripetal Force. 6, Combustion. 7, Transit of Venus. 8, Your Correspondent's private experiments with the smoke rings.

THE RULING PASSION.-Some few years ago, an errand boy in the service of a local manufacturer, having been repeatedly reprimanded for his want of punctuality in the morning, was at length discharged by his employer with the usual "week's notice." The boy pleaded earnestly to be retained in his situation, emphatically remarking that "it ud be all right when the pantomines was over." "Pantomimes said his master, what have you to do with them?" "Please, Sir," said he, "I've got a hingagement at the Prince-o-Wales's Theaytre." "Oh! indeed,” replied the master, "I suppose you dust the boxes or deliver play-bills or perhaps sell oranges and ginger beer." "O dear no !" said the boy with warmth, and evidently considerably hurt in his feelings, "I ar hingaged reg'larly on the stage." "Engaged on the stage? surely you are not a fairy nor yet a cupid?—pray tell me what part you do take." "Please Sir," said the lad, whilst his eyes sparkled with pride and exultation "I ar the ind legs of the donkey."

SLIGHTLY CONFUSED.

An intimate friend of Mrs. Partington thus expressed herself recently on reading the latest news from the seat of war. "Well! I am glad that Ashan-tea and Coffee war is over! Poor Cardinal Wolsey is a brave General, but he must be getting an old man now; and I should think he'd be precious glad to get away from the cold ghost."

AN ANOMALY.-Making a clean sweep.

THE FUTURE OF THE C.L.A.

It may without any exaggeration be affirmed that the growth of our Association during the last few years has been remarkable, and its success almost unparalleled; and it will not perhaps be out of place to devote a page or two of the Magazine to a consideration of our present position and future prospects; indeed, having regard to the recent additions to the Rules, whereby the maximum number of members is limited to 250, the present time may be considered especially appropriate for some reflection, on the part of the members generally, with reference to their privileges and their duties. It will, no doubt, be taken for granted, that the additional rules were only recommended by the Committee after much careful consideration. As, however, the innovation is of so important a character, it may be useful to keep on record some of the reasons for and against the course adopted. We will take the latter first-It has been said then, that in fixing a maximum number, we shall, after having reached the height of our power, at once commence a downward career, and that the days of our prosperity are therefore Another objection which has been urged-and there is some apparent force in it-is that in restricting our numbers we may shut out many who might, with great profit to our Association, be admitted as members, whilst we may have to retain for an indefinite

numbered.

period some, who if capable, are never found willing to assist in the requisite work to be accomplished. Or again, there may be ground for apprehending that those who are fond of denouncing "privilege" may object to remain in a society the membership of which will in the future be certainly a privilege. But whatever may be the disadvantages, it seems clear that they are more than balanced by the advantages. The principal argument against the alteration is no doubt that with reference to the possible exclusion of desirable candidates from our ranks. It will however be borne in mind that vacancies will occur from time to time, and we may rely upon it, that they will for the most part, if not invariably, be filled up by gentlemen whose qualifications will be such as will improve the mental power of our Association, and increase its usefulness in the future—and we shall all feel it our bounden duty to exercise the greatest vigilance in every new election, to prevent the possibility of undesirable appointments. Then again the opinion was somewhat prevalent that our society was becoming too unwieldy, and possibly some of our honorary officers, (if questioned on the subject) would admit-in the interests of their successors-the wisdom of the adopted limit. There need be no fear therefore that our influence or our usefulness will begin to wane. The House of Commons is limited in its numbers, and so are our local representative assemblies, and although we would not venture to institute a comparison between either of those august bodies and ourselves, yet we may fairly hope that we shall become a firm and compact society--every year growing from strength to strength, and attaining a degree of usefulness in the future, that will bear favourable comparison with any of our past achievements. Admission into our society will become a privilege, and we may depend upon it that such privilege will be zealously protected. The Association will become less changeable in its composition, and members generally, we may be assured, will try to do more than they have heretofore accomplished for the common good, and in proof of their eligibility as members. The maximum number of our members will doubtless be maintained, and many who are outsiders at present will be anxious to be included within the magic circle.

In providing for the future operations of the C.L.A., it will be well for us to bear distinctly in mind the work accomplished in the past, and the causes of the steady growth and increasing popularity of the Association. It may be safely averred that whatever success has been achieved, is in a large measure attributable to the personal interest taken in our work by some of the older members, whose sense of duty is not satisfied by a mere occasional appearance at our public meetings, when popular applause is to be obtained—but who make it almost a point of honor to be present when the younger and less expert Debaters are according to their various abilities helping forward the business of the session-and the consequence of this is that whatever judgment may be passed upon our efforts, we certainly have the advantage of maintaining a happy medium between the two extremes sometimes exhibited by kindred associations, of brilliant performances once or twice a year,