On Wednesday evening, Captain Whyte and the Officers of H. M. 8. Cadmus gave a ball to the residents and visitors of Shanghai. Itisalmost needless to say that everything which was in the Jeast likely to contribute to the pleasure and comfort of the visitors had been carefully thought of, and tematically arranged. The jetty at the ud of the Hankow road was covered over and illuminated; and steam launches towing various boats, also covered and protected against weather and spray, plied continually between the shore and ship. The deck of the Cadmus was covered in by canvas, forming a lofty and eapacious tent decorated with the flags of all nations—so distributed as to give striking contrast of color in the brilliant light from the various chandeliers. The deck was divided into card and refreshment, and ball and supper rooms, the skylights being converted into luxurious lounges. The mfsts and other deck-obstructions were decorated with shields of cutlasses and other arms. An artificial pool containing shells and mosses, from which sprung a jet of water, formed a very pretty object and had a deliciously cool and refreshing effect. The bridge was lighted by candles in rows of empty shells—looking like a regiment of torch bearers, with a giant captain to! about every twenty men.
The Grand Duke Alexis and his suite, Admirals Possiet and Feodorowski, the several Foreign Consuls, and a number of Officers from the various men-of-war in port were among the guests, and contributed by their gorgeous uniforms toheighten the! ney of the scene. OF the toilettes of the ladies, we dare not trust ourselves to write, All the express sions we can conceive are useless to elaborate the one word—fection.
The Band was placed on the Launch between the Ball and supper room, and played some very effective dance music.
Neither must we forget to say that, during an interval, two of the seamen came forward and danced a hornpipe with admirable quickness and precision in time. The performance elicited rounds of applause, in which their comrades who were ranged round the bulwarks joined heartily.
The supper was prepared by Mr. Williams, the Steward of the Club, who surpassed his previous achievements. It is almost needless to say that it was done full justice to; our hosts vieing with each other in attending to the wants of their guests and indeed—throughout the evening—devoting themselves to promote our enjoyment.
Altogether, the ball wases pleasant and successful a3 Captain Whyte and his Officers could have wished it to be—and when we have said this, we have said all.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.