The French mail of the 19th May arrived on Monday, by the M.M. steamer Djemnah.
The English mail of the 26th May arrived Thuraday, by the P. & 0, ate.
Peshawur.
The American mail of the Ist Juno arrived yesterday, by the M.B. atx, Nevada, The following Reuter's telegram was received yesterday Servia and Montenegro have declared war on Turkey, The chief event of the week has been ion by our American fellow their declaration of independence. As we mentioned last week, a committee was organised and a large sum subscribed, to enable the occasion to be celebrated wi fitting eclat; and the arrangements were carried out with much success. The offices of the U.S. Consulate-General wore of course closed for public business, The brief summary of the da; Jutes of one hundred gur at national salute at 12 meridian.
The Declaration of Independence read on board steamer Fire Queen, by 0. B. Bradford, Esq., and followed by the song "Star-spangled Banner;" after which an oration was pronounced by the Hon. John ©, Myers, in turn suocoeded by Hail Columbia," After tiffin, a programme of thirteen toasts, interspersed with songs, was gone through; the excursion terminating at six o'clock p.m. The public generally wore invited to attend " reception, with illuminations and fire works at the Consulate-General, at nine p.m.—The day was observed asa Bank holiday; and the M.B. Mail Steamship Company postponed the departure of the Nagoya Maru, in order that those who would otherwise be prevented by the mail closing on Tuesday, might be enabled to participate in the festivities, A full report of the proceedings will be found on another page.
The occasion of the general holiday was taken on Tuesday, to have a return Cricket match between the Navy and the Sha hai Cricket Club; and the fact that it was possible to play such a match here on the fourth of July, deserves especial prominence. It was hot in the settlement, but the thermometer only marked 80 in the shade, against 92 at the same time last year; while a cool breeze blowing on the Cricket Ground made the atmosphere there pleasant and fresh, 'The match, which was decided by one innings, resulted again in favour of the Navy, by 38 runs; Shanghai only scoring 103 to their opponents' 141, he neighbourhood of the Woosung Railway presented a remarkable econo all day on Saturday, thousands of Chinese presenting themselves to take advantage of the opportunity offered for a free jaunt to Kong-wan and back. There was much good-humorred pushing and striving to get into the carriages, but the precautions taken by the officials prevented any mischief arising, and it is gratifying to record that no accident occurred, Several trips were made during the day, and the enjoyment of the excursionists was unlimited, laughter and shouts of de-(ing in all directions; while lo not to noti the the new mode of travel, is cured beyond doubt, and the news of the success is sure to travel far and wide.
The trains on Monday were equally crowded, and nearly as many people were gathered in the neighbourhood of the station and alongside the railway, as on the opening day; and we understand that the interest still shows no sumption of abating, Mr, Fisler has sent us a copy of his photograph of the opening of the railway, it is taken at the moment before the first excursion train started, and the faces of many well known residents are discernible at the windows and standing on the carriage stops.
The threatening weather of Wednesday evening prevented a numerous attendance at the second garden concert of the Wind Instrument Society, though fortunately the rainkeptoff, A number of house-poate moored near the esplanade, one of which w aressed with Chinese lanterns, producing a pretty effect. The music was as usual excellent, and the absentees certainly missed an enjoyable trent, Messrs. Grosvenor, Davenport and Baber arrived Monday, by the steamer Djemnah, We congratulate them on the lotion of their long and adventurous journey.
No new thing has come to light regard ing the political situation; it is generally understood that the Chinese will hi yield on the our remarks on the political situation, war will follow.
'A private telegram fs said to have been received from London, announcing that hostilities with China we idered imminent; so that the situation is evidently appreciated at home, The L. & O, Express says the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts has voted a aum of £500, to extend over three years, towards the stipend of an plain at Shanghai for seamen a further sum of £200 por annum to the Bishop of Victoria, for a studentship in St. Paul's College, Hongkong.
While a plethora of silver in Europe Aopreciating the rate of exchange, a local dearth of it curiously enough sustains the price of dollars aten unusually high rate, A singular robbery of $1,000 was recently effected in this Settlement. A native silk dealer and his son left a lodging house in Kiukiang road, to proceed to one of the Whaives on the French Bund, intending to take steamer to Nanking. The father rode on a barrow, on the other seat of which he placed a bundle of clothing,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.