8, V. C. PARADE ~PRESENTATION OF COLOURS.
The general parade of the S. V. C., for the presentation of a stand of colours by the Ladies of Shanghai, postponed from Monday, came often Thursday the 12th. The weather was all that could be desired. As usual, the Corps assembled on the Bund, ana in numbers, though at the early hour' of 3.30 P.M., which testified their appreciation of the interesting occasion. The ranks were not quite so full as they have sometimes been, but this is a season when there are many absentees from Shanghai. About 250 of all Companies and ranks turned out and that number was augmented by a company of men from H. M.S. Zebra, who joined in the parade. The Infantry to the Race-course, headed by the.
Drum Band, whose lively quicksteps lightened and sped the march, Arrived there, the different Companies deployed on their coverers, and then wheeled into line. From this position, the flank Companies wheeled right and left inwards, so as to form three sides of a square, Nos. 2 and 3 being the base, and No.1 Company with the Artillery, and the Miche-loong with the Rangers, the wings on right and left respectively. The old colours and the new were brought up and placed in charge of a sergeants' guard, by the dram pile which marked the spot to be taken by the actors in the ceremony; and to which the Zebra's men, asa gnard of honour, conducted, from the Cricket Stand, the brilliant party of ladies and gentlemen who were present. Mrs. Seward was led to the front by Mr. Dixwell, Chairman of the Municipal Council, who introduced the ceremony in the following words Captain Brewer, and Gentlemen of the S. V. Corps.—On Friday last, I received, as Chairman of the Municipal Council, a communication saying that the Ladies of Shanghai had prepared a stand of colours which, if acceptable, they desi ed to present to the Volunteers, in token of their appreciation of our efforts. I replied that we should be very grateful for such an evidence of this approbation of the ladies; and that arrangements should be made for the presentation, on our part, if, in the meanwhile, they would designate the lady who would speak for them on the occasion. As one of the ladies who had been active in the matter was about to leave by the American mail of to-day, it seemed necessary to make the arrangements for Monday, but the weather disappointed us, and caused the ceremony to he deferred until to-day. Mrs. George Seward is to speak for the ladies, and her now I have the honour to present on, Mrs, Sewarn, in firm and clear voice, which was distinctly audible, then said Adjutant Brewer and Volunteers—On behalf of the Ladies of Shanghai, I present to you a stand of colours which bear your device, "Defence not defiance." Should you have occasion to rally to the defence of this flag you will do so bravely—and you will not then forget the donors, some of whom are gathered before you; nor the faithful Sisters who laid down their lives at Tientsin. An organization such as yours might have saved them; and it will protect us, should danger approach.
The flag was received by Adjutant Brewer, and by him handed to Lieut. Annette, who unfurled it. It isa pale blue, which may be emblematic of the unnational though not unwarlike character of the Shanghai Volunteer movement. The device is a simple gold chaplet, within which, on one side, is the motto' "Defence, not Defiance," and on the other, the dates 1854-1870, with the initials "8. V. C." between.
AGjt. Brewer acknowledged the honour done the Volunteers, in the following terms Mrs. Seward and Ladies—We receive with much gratitude the flag which has been prepared for us by you; and we shall not forget, in case of need, the exhort. tations with which the git is accompanied. Consciousness of an endeavour to do our pa duty ought perhaps to be in itself a suficient reward for our efforts; but to know that these have been observed and appreciated by the Ladies will be an additional recompense for the past, and an incentive for still greater exertions in the future.
The Battalion then saluted and fell back into line, while the newly-spread standard was home aloft and along the lines. A volley from right to left was fi ceeded by Company volle; firing. Open column of Companies was taken up; and front changed by wheeling; when No. 1 Ca. was thrown out to skirmish, while Nos. 2 and 3 formed supports. After some bri practice, No. 2 and, subsequently, the Miho-loong, shared this manauvre; the Artillery meanwhile keeping up a vigorous, eannonade in support. Having again fallen back, and been thrown into quarter distance column, the Battalion formed square by sections from the centre, and received two charges from the Rangers, adding to this defensive at ide the offensive one of firing upon the cavalry. The Blue Jackets at the same time were engaged in some special exercises. Resuming their formation of Companies, the order was given to march homeward, the Zebra's Company leading. When again drawn up in front of the Custom-house, three hearty cheers were given for the Flag, with a like salute for the Ladies of Shanghai; and the Parade ended. ial Paper.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.