It was not to he expected that the theatre-going public would excite themselves qitite so much over the benefit just aweorded to Mrs, Billington as they "did aver the Nelly Barren and Lydia Thon: pse benefits; but it was nevertheless 9 awemorahle gathering, both as regards the performers and the audience, which assembled at the Lyceum Theatre the other to do honour to the veteran actress who was for so many years associated with tier husband on the stage, A. favourite pite de resistance ut farewell benefits i Sheridan's Critic, for it is customary in the rehearsal scene for the actors and netresses to call each nther by their real names one indulge in unlimited "gaz, delights the audience. At frenefit this was the en: principal actresses from all the principal London theatres now open were ast, the piece was received thusiasm. Mrs. Billington, nee Ad Mortimer, made her first appearaner at Manchester in 1851, and her first ape ina London West, Bud theatre was at the Adelphi, where she. prayed in Cupid and Poche, a burlesque, the cast of which included the present Lady Baneroit. Daal Bedford, Mrs. Keeley, and Elizs Juhnstone. Another veteran actress long retired from the boards, Mr-. Alfred Mellon, stood beside Mes. Billizcsten on the stage at her benefit.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.