LAST February, as already reported in The Life-boat, the Hythe life-boat crew gave an entertainment. It was their second. The first had taken place two years before. It had been modestly called a concert, but proved to be such an original and successful entertain- ment, including a life-boat rescue, that it is not surprising that the crew have been persuaded to give another. This year's entertainment was as successful as the first. It was a life-boat play in two acts and four scenes called " Days in the Life of a Life-boatman." The honorary secretaries and crew took part (with the help of two ladies), all cheerfully making fun of themselves and one another, and presenting a very entertaining and high-spirited bur- lesque of how a life-boat station carries on. The centre-piece was again a presentation (without burlesque) of a rescue on a stormy night.

We should have liked to be able to publish the whole amusing book of the play. As there is not space to do that, a short account must suffice.

The opening scene shows the crew at the house of one of the honorary secretaries, rehearsing an entertain- ment which they intend to give at the Hythe Institute. They discuss what they shall do and the songs they will sing. Suggestions are made, and the crew have to remind one another that the mayor, and even the vicar, may be present at the Institute. The night is very stormy and a summons for the life-boat is expected at any moment.

There are continual interruptions. At length there comes a telephone-call for the coxswain. He is heard to answer : " What, on a night like this ? Expect us to go out in this weather ? " Every- body jumps up, thinking that the call has come at last, until the coxswain explains that it is only someone in the Hillcrest Road, who wants a small whiting.

So the rehearsal continues (except for another interruption; this time by the police to enquire if anyone is ill), until, just as the whole company has finished the chorus of "The Ship I Love," there comes a message from the Sandgate coastguard of a ship in urgent need of help. The crew rush off. One of the crew rushes back to finish his beer. The curtain falls.

A Rescue.

The next scene shows the launch and the wreck and the rescue. The stage directions for this scene must be given in full.

" Storm at its height. The maroons are sounded.

" Curtain rises, and crew are at sea pulling on haul-off warp with life-boat rocking as she would do in a heavy sea.

When boat is in the centre of stage haul-off warp is cast overboard, sea is moving as in a whole gale, and the spray (rice) is continually sweeping the boat. Dunge lighthouse is seen to be passed after about ten minutes. Then a heavy blizzard of sleet. Thunder and lightning is continuous. Suddenly a flare is shown (near the ceiling) and the bowman calls: ' There she is ! ' " Curtain is lowered for one minute.

" Curtain rises and shows two men clinging to a mast, the life-boat comes in (still rocking) and gets alongside the wreck, and the shipwrecked men are brought into the life-boat by a breeches- buoy in the usual way. The coxswain then shouts: ' Full speed astern'; life- boat reverses, and mast of wreck crashes into the sea amidst a cloud of spray. The coxswain shouts: ' Just in time.'" That the actual performance was as thrilling as the stage directions for it is vouchsafed by those who were present. One of the audience, writing of it in the Hythe Reporter, said: "I could almost imagine myself standing on the shore with the spray from the mountainous waves dashing in my face —my waterproof drawn tightly up to my chin." After the Storm.

After the storm the (comparative) calm. The second act shows the life- boat on the following morning, decor- ated with flags. The crew are getting her ready for life-boat day. Collectors hurry about the stage. One of the honorary secretaries appears with a letter of complaint from headquarters.

He reads it out. It is most libellous to all concerned, enquiring if the cox- swain, who has lost five boat-house keys in twelve months, keeps a tame ostrich, and if the great increase in the consumption of the Institution's petrol means that the honorary secretary has set up a car of his own. These complaints are received by the crew with laughter.

The preparations for life-boat day continue, and original songs are sung.

Paint is the subject of one. Love is the subject of another. But the song of the act is one called " When I have been to a shipwreck," with the pathetic opening chorus, sung by the whole crew pulling on the haul-off warp : " Now when we have been to a ship- wreck, No matter if early or late, There's trouble at hand when we get back to land, For troubles' the life-boatman's mate." Two performances of the play were given, and by an ironic and unfortunate chance there was a blizzard on each night, which kept many people away.

In spite of that the entertainment raised nearly £50..