THE second annual Life-boat Matinee at the Lyceum Theatre, organised by the Central London Women's Committee of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, was held on the llth December, and realised £992 after all expenses had been paid.

It was held at a time of great anxiety and in circumstances of exceptional difficulty—just at that time when the long illness of the King was at its most dangerous and critical stage. The King and Queen had both promised to be present, and it would have been the first occasion on which their Majesties had been present together at a Life-boat function. Not only did his illness make it impossible for the King himself or the Queen to be present, but during the last week of preparation there was continual uncertainty as to whether or not the Matinee could be held at all. This uncertainty, and the general and deep anxiety about the King, made the work of organisation and ticket-selling exceptionally difficult. The ticket-selling was in the hands of the whole Committee, while a special Matinee Committee of four members arranged the programme and performance : Lady Bertie of Thame (Chairman of the Central Committee), who acted as chairman of the Matinee Committee, Lady Florence Pery (Deputy Chairman of the Committee, and Honorary Secretary of the Ladies' Life- boat Guild), Lady Dorothy d'Oyly Carte and Mrs. Toye.

In spite of the deep anxiety of the Royal Family with regard to the King's health, the Duke of York attended the Matinee in place of their Majesties, and H.R.H. Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, Patron of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, was also present. Among the others present were the Duchess of Norfolk, Vice-Patron of the Guild, the Duchess of Sutherland, President, Susan Duchess of Somerset, Lady Cynthia Colville and Lady Baring. Among those who gave their patronage were the German, French and Italian Ambassadors, the Norwegian and Latvian Ministers, the Prime Minister and Mrs.

Baldwin, and the Lady Mayoress.

The programme consisted of drama, opera and ballet. Mr. Louis N. Parker wrote a one-act Life-boat play, " Their Business in Great Waters," specially for the occasion, and a description of the play and the names of the cast will be found below. The opera was an act from " The Rhythm Eternal," an opera on jazz, by Mr. T. C. Fairbairn, with music by Mr. Leighton Lucas, in which the principal parts were taken by Miss Dorothy d'Orsay and Mr.

Thorpe Bates. The programme was completed with a charming pas seul by the child-dancer, Miss Wendy Toye, and three ballets—" The F eerie Cvag •.

A Highland Legend," produced by Miss Euphan MacLaren, " Orpheus," a burlesque in mime, written and produced by Mr. Leighton Lucas, arvd " The Masque of the Sea," by Mr.

Leighton Lucas, the production and choreography being by Miss Ruby G inner.

In the interval Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chairman of the Committee of Management, expressed the thanks of the Institution to the authors, composers, producers, actors, actresses, musicians, singers and dancers, numbering over fifty, who had given their services, to Messrs. Frederick and Walter Melville, who had lent the theatre, to the theatre staff, and to the many others who in different ways had given their help.

The first Lyceum matinee, organised by the Central London Women's Committee, was held in May, 1927. There was a variety programme, and H.RJL Princess Mary, Viscountess Lascelles, was present..