Ithad appeared, on Tuesday night, that the weather was to be thoroughly wnfavourable for the launch of the 8, 8. N. Company's new steamer, Nanking; but the clouds gradually broke up and drifted away yesterday, during the forenoon, till the sim shone brightly out upon all the crowds who had assembled to witness the event. Constructed chiefly in New York, the new steamer has been sent cutin parts, and put together at the Company's Yard in Hongkew, under the supervision of Mr. Lambert, and of Mr. Coryell their Marine Superintendent. In this direction accordingly, towards the 1h. after noon, fixed for the launch, the'greater part of Shanghai gradually drifted—in trap or yacht, on foot or wheelbarrow, as opportunity offered or taste dictated, The Company'a steamer Chhusan, lying alongside of. the Kin-wing-sing Wharf, had been cour-teensly placed at the disposal of the public; and on board of her congroyated the greater number of the Ladies who had come to witness the event, But to the majority of Men the steamer chow, lying between the Chusan. and the Wharf, seemed to offer the best stand-point; and her hurricane deck was dark with coats, that had gethered together with an alto: gether un-Shanghai-like punctuality.
And the launch itself was punctual too, Hardly had the spectators looked round on the busy premises; noted the curiosity of a Chinese gunboat which halted in ream to witness the event; and ed the gorgeous' display of fags on board the new vessel, than the first blocks were knocked away, and all attention was concentrated on the preparations for the laund Gradually, as support after supper appeared, expectation become more ut, till at about 1.35 pan, a scarcely perceptible motion heralded success; and, to use the words con-secreted by all usage for the occasion—"' the noble vessel glided gracefully down the ways into her native element." "We had almost omitted the most interesting feature of the ceremony, the christening of the new craft, An electric apparatus had been carefully prepared, by which the customary bottle of champagne should fall on the bows, and a board bearing in Inrge gilded letters the word ''Nankixa" turn outward and declare the name she was destined to receive. Neither here nor in the launch did doubt or hitch interpose; at. the given moment, Miss Isabella Forbes, the daughter of the ceremony to perfection; and the Nanking President of the Company, performed the
was launched into the world of waters.
Loud cheers from the foreigners on board the Fychow and Chusan, and res-pensive cheers from on board' the new vessel herself, hailed the perfect success, Even the Chinese carpenters were overcome, and impelled to perpetrate impossible gymnastics, in the excitement of their enthusiasm; while other Chinese maintained more creditably the practical spirit of their race, by rushing in sampans pick up the numberless stray pieces of wood that had glided with the cradle into the water.
After the launch, the spectators flocked instinctively towards the saloon of, the Chusan, where a handsome lunch was laid out, and where one of the first proceedings was to drink a hearty toast to Mr. Coryell, in congratulation on the success of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.