Clubs & Societies in British Guiana to 1844. 71 
June 1806, describing it as that well-known and faithfully 
built house on lots 7 and 8, front of Vlissengen, with the 
establishment of the Union Coffee House, his servants 
being excepted. It was two stories high, raised on 
brick walls of nine feet, having two fronts each sixty 
feet long by twenty-six wide, forming an angle. Be- 
sides several large rooms, there were six bed-chambers 
furnished with bedsteads, beds and mosquito nettings. 
Then came a number of out-buildings, and sheds, stables 
and dwelling-house, all new and of the best materials. 
The lots paid a ground rent of a thousand guilders per 
annum, under a forty years' lease, and the annual income 
of the establishment amounted to 12,672 guilders. 
Later we find the Coffee House in possession of a Mr. 
MARSH, when it was often called by his name instead of 
the " Union." In 18 12 the large room was fitted up as a 
Cl Theatre Royal" — " George Barnwell" and the " Anato- 
mist" being played in February. The pertormers were 
amateurs, and the price of admission was, upper boxes 
with refreshments one joe; lower boxes five dollars; pit 
three dollars; and back seats two dollars. About this 
time we find convivial societies under the name of Sons 
of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick. In describing 
the festivities of the day sacred to the last, the Gazette 
said that " about eight o'clock, the Union Coffee House 
exhibited a very beautiful, and, from the shrubbery in 
front, a very picturesque spectacle of variegated light, 
while the arrangements within claimed still more admira- 
tion." The ball-room was lit by four superb chandeliers 
and a multitude of small crystal lamps, giving a wonderful 
effe6t to the dazzling splendour of the whole. Dancing 
commenced soon after nine, to the music of the band of 
