The amateurs engaged in " Monsieur Boaucaire," the whole of t al without ap exception, wore gi lust night at the Astor House by the Committee of.the A. D. C., the opportunity being taken to pay @ well-deserved compliment to their highly regarded or, Mr. E. Portier, covers being laid for forty-five, and the presence of such a large number of charming actresses making it ai unusually delightful banquet, and much more like w large family party than a formal public dinner. 1a the uuavoidable xbsouce of the chairman of the Committee of the A.D.C., the chair was taken by one of the oldest surviving members of the Club in Shanghai, Mr. R. W, Little, who had Lady Mary on his right and the Countess of Greenbury on his left. The effect of the scene was greatly enhanced by the ladies being in costume, with power, and the red roses" were everywhere in profusion. ° The dinner excellent, everything possible having been done to make it we by the management of the Astor House under the supervision of the able secretary of the A.D.C, Mr.J. Byrne Hackett. Keach menu was a fan with apt quotations from the play, The cloth having been removed, the chairman rose, and after a few introductory remarks said proud to be the medium of ation to the guest of th Portier, of s Japanese silver bowl, with the following address, signed by all the members of the cast "We the undersigned members of the cast of 'Monsieur Beaucaire' are great-Jy pleased to take this opportunity of expressing to you collectively, as many of us have done individually, our very high admiration of your services to the A.D.C. as producer of the play which we h of uso much enjoyed assisting in, our heartfelt appreciation of your untailing kindness and courtesy to us all.
Not only have we recognised how invaluable have been your unwearied energy, your knowledge and experience, but we have realised and do gratefully realise the unlimited fund of tact and good humour which you have displayed in the difficult task of making the representation of Monsieur Beaucaire" by amateurs at this distance from home the great enccess which we are gratified to know it is acknowledged to be. To that success your contribution has been very large indeed.
"We thank you most sincerely for all you have done; we hope that you will long bs with us to help the A. D.C. to fresh triumphs in the future: and with every good wish for your health, happiness, and prosperity in the future, we are proud to subscribe ourselves your friends."
The chairman concluded by asking all present to drink the health of Mr. Portier, and the response must have been audible in Shanghai. Mr. Portier expressed his gratification in a long and most interesting speech in which he disseated the play and the performers, with the knowledge that long experience and unequalled capabilities as an actor and stage manager of the first rank have given him. Monsieur Beauesire himself then proposed the toast of the ladies, coupled with the name of Miss Proctor, to whom he presented a silver mirror as a slight recognition of her services as Mistress of the Robes, to which Mr. Brady, as the youngest bachelor in the cast, responded, these two speeches being models of after-dinner oratory, full of wit and humour. Mr. Hay followed with the toast of the Understudies, coupled with the name of Mr. Blount, to which the Jatter replied and then M. Lemiére ina very perfect little speech gave the toast of "The Bus." After the health of the Duke of Winterset had been proposed by the chairman, and most gracefully acknowledged by His Grace and Captain Badger, the whole party adjourned to the drawing-room. Flash-light photographs were taken during the dinner which was decidedly one of the brightest and most enjoyable gatherings of the kind that has been given in Shanghai for a long time.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.