The formal opening of the bremiaes in the Nanking road, recently leased by the committee of the above Society ance Hall, Sailors' Board took place on Saturday free tex, followed by a tertainment. The capacious Hall presented a very cheerful appearance when the three rows of tables extending its entire Tength were loaded with the multifarion comestibles that usually accompany th cup that cheers, but not inebriates," and surrounded by the happy guests, about 250 number, including upwards of 100 bluejackets and marines of the H.B.MLS, Thalia, who were present by the kind permission of Captain Woollcombe, in response to the committes's invite, There were also some seamen of the U.S. Navy present, bes others from the merchant ships in ha hour. The tea, &c., was provided by the thoughtful liberality of several ladies, both connected and unconnected with the Society, and their efforts were crowned with unqualified success—The excellent accommodation afforded by the new build; ing, rendered the task of providing for large ® party an easier one than at the former quarters in the Hankow Rond; and consequence this part of the evening's pleasure wae youe through in comparatively quick time, the room being cleared and rearranged so as to cuablo the entertain= ment to be begun at about 8.30. The hall has been supplied with " complete suite of new railed forms with cane seats, great advance on the makeshift chairs and ordinary benches of former days.—Mr. C, P. Blethen, as President of the Society, occupied the chair, and received a' cordial greeting, this' hi his ficer public appearance sine rex covering from his Into severe accident.
he audience was now ewelled by the arrival of persons not present ab the tea,
crowded, and but for the wetness ut the to over 300 j ati the hall did wot append weather, a much larger number would pro bubly have attended. Prayer having been offered by the Rey. W. Muirhead, the Chairman delivered short address, in the course of which ho reviewed the past tory of the Society from its commenc: ment, and congratulated the members, and also those who, although not members, had so kindly rendered their nasi furthering its objects, 'To the Mi of religion, resident in or Uement, he paid the high that us'soon as they took the Suciety i 1d, its prosperity became assured, He believed the yood that had been' done in the Settlement through the mentality of the Society had been very great, and there was goud hope that unofulness would be much increased, he Chairman next gave a description of addition perance Society, two wud announced that
other societies had taken up their quarters in chem. One was a sovivty formed by Sesitabilty of having rt, who
they could meet and comfortably. Cheie aim was now accomplished, and it was pleasant to know that the effort had met general approval. The other society was the Shanghai Young Men's Christian Associae tion, already known to many, but th usefulness of which it was tobe hoped would now be greatly increased, The fire ting up of the building for the various uses of the Temperance Suciety had eu: tailed great expense, and 50 additional beds were now on the way out from England, on the arrival of which, it was thonghtt, there would wot be much further outlay required. The Society was of course somewhat in debt, in consequence of the removal and improvements, but as the money lid come in the past to help them, a0 there was little deride the future would be equally met.—the programme was then proceeded with. It included an address by the Very Rev. the Dean, in advocacy of temperance, and was replete with ound advice and illustration, in the course of which he touched tightly but feelingly upon several foibles of Shanghai life, 'The address was listened to with deep attention.—Mr, Rogerson read Dickens' Christmas story, "Dr. Marigold's Prescriptions," in his usual good style, but the reading ocoupied too much time, and became wearisome to many of the audience towards the end,—A ule, The Robber's Retreat," by Messrs. Martin, Lawnder, Webber, and Vox, of the Thalia} and asong ©The Main Truck," by Mr. Fleetwood, of the came ship, were loudly applauded, the latter being encored,—
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.