and get on my feet.  Ever afterwards I used carefully to inspect the couches before the performance commenced.  Amongst those who were members and associated with us were E.C.  Morgan and W.T.  Berners, partners in the then well-known firm of Ashburner & Co., who retired from business in the year 1880.  The former has been Chairman of Directors of the Calcutta Tramway Co., I believe, ever since the company was incorporated, but I hear that he has lately vacated the position.  Berners, I believe, has been living the life of a retired gentleman.  I never heard that he renewed his connection with business affairs after he got home.  The late Mr. Sylvester Dignam, a cousin of Mr. Cable, and latterly head partner of the firm of Orr Dignam & Co., the well-known solicitors, was also one of the troupe, and by his intimate knowledge of all matters theatrical contributed very considerably to the success of our efforts.  I recollect he took the character of Dazzle in “London Assurance” and Mr. Cable that of “Lawyer Meddle,” which latter was the funniest and most laughable performance I ever witnessed.  We were all in fits of laughter, and could scarcely contain ourselves whenever he appeared on the stage.

“JIMMY” HUME.

Charles Brock, Willie and Donald Creaton, partners in Mackenzie Lyall & Co., who were my greatest friends, but alas! are no more, were very prominent members, and there is one more whom I must on no account forget to mention, and though he (or she) comes almost last, does not by any means rank as the least.  I refer to “Jimmy” Hume, as he was then known to his confreres, but who is in the present day our worthy and much respected Public Prosecutor, Mr. J.T.  Hume.  In “London Assurance” he portrayed the important part of Grace Harkaway, and a very charming and presentable young lady he made.

But I must not forget to mention that his very laudable ambition to obtain histrionic honours was at the outset very nearly nipped in the bud.  He, of course, had to disclose the fact that in his earlier life he had committed a pardonable youthful indiscretion and had had both his forearms fancifully adorned in indelible blue tattoo with a representation of snakes, mermaids, and sundry.  A solemn council of the senior members of the company was forthwith held, presided over by the Mem Sahib, “Old Party,” and “Syl” Dignam.  After a good deal of anxious thought and discussion as to how the disfigurements could be temporarily obliterated some one suggested gold-beater skin, which was finally adopted and proved eminently successful.  Not one of the audience ever had the slightest suspicion that his (or her) arms were not as they should have been, and such as any ordinary young lady would not have disdained to possess.

CHARLIE PITTAR.