(Continued.)
On Saturday afternoon we carried out our intention of visiting a few more of the establishments which have made suitable preparations for supplying the numerous Fequirements of the public at this season of the year, more especially those whose efforts have been especially directed to the furnishing of the table. The advanced degree of civilization to which we have attained requires that for a table to be well supplied, it must lay almost all parts of the known world under contribu tion and must set to work an almost infinite variety of people of various occupation: England, the "Roast Beef" of that country is often, with some show of reason, considered a very important element inthe Christmas dinner. At Mr. Hopkins's some splendid beef may be seen which would be certainly hold its own in Smithfield market. His mutton and pork are excellent, and altogether the display is superior to anything usually seen at this time in Shanghai, In a suitable place are a number of very fine capons, many of which greatly resemble turkeys in point of size. As to game and pork pies, which are made to order, we can only say that if the inside is as good as the outside, they must be really very good. There has been a considerable demand for them and they have always given great satisfaction.
Remembering that there are other articles besides meat required for a Christmas di ner, the California Store in Canton Road, from which Messrs. Mustard & Ca., dispense all sorts of good things, was next visited. The last mail steamer from San Francisco brought that enterprising firm fa large invoice of goods with which to replenish the stock that they always keep on hand, and there has been considerable provision made for the demand which can always be anticipated at the end of December. Californian fresh apples, and a quantity of nuts, (four or five kinds) some most delicious looking butter in rolls formed some of the most attractive articles of recent arrival. There is a considerable stock also of California wines and spirits noted American brands. A large supply of candies has also been laid in for the children, and we should imagine this a pretty safe investment. We hope Messrs. Mustard and Ca. will find it remunerative. Jellies, honey, and articles of that kind are displayed in profusion, while any attempt at an enumeration of the potted meats, fish, &e. is out of the question. But we should not forget to mention that "sugar and spice, and all things nice," including every requisite for plum puddings of the most exalted type are here in abundance.
Another establishment with a' display somewhat similar is that of Messrs. Evans and Ca. in the Szechuen Road. On entering, the first thing visible was a most extensive and imposing array of cakes, all tastefully decorated, and frosted in the orthodox way. These were all made on the premises occupied by the fina, dnd certainly do them great credit. There exists good reason to believe that the is as good as their appearance, which is saying a good deal. But these cakes were not the only ones visible; there aller ones of the description known as "sponge cakes" decorated with equal taste and skill, but in a different manner, Here also we saw California butter and also citrons, raisins, é&c., a8 well as a great deal of fresh and bottled fruit that will doubtless get into its right place in due time. The display of cosaques was large and varied; and had been imported direct from England. Wines of all sorts are also farnished, and some Madeira bottled in 1872 is certainly worthy of attention. Scotch and Irish whiskeys and other spirits are also on hand. The October Home-brewed" is also on hand, bright and sparkling.
While the caterers for " the good things of the life" more particularly in the directions named above hare been busy, Messrs. Kelly and Walsh, who minister more to the needs of the mind and that part of our nature that is susceptible to the influence of art and music, have not forgotten that this is a very suitable time for that kind of transfer of property known as "making presents." The variety that is exposed to view in their store is simply bewildering, and where all is so good it will be found no easy matter to make a selection, if the intending purchaser has not a pretty clear idea of what he wants before he goes in. Booka on every conceivable subject, in all manner of handsome bindings, albunis, fancy articles, musical istrumentsof several descriptions, together with very artistic Christmas and New Year Cards are here in abundance and the show must. be seen to be appreciated.
Messrs. Sayle and Ca, although not making any very special "Christmas display" like some of their neighbours, have taken good care that ladies should find a large and varied assortment of handkerchiefs, lace goods, and fancy articles of imilar description, which we have doubt will find many admirers.
Messrs, Mackenzie and Ca. have apparently in their store a kind of exhibition of varieties of what may perhaps be termed a universally miscellaneous character, but they have not forgotten to lay in large stock of wines, spirits and brandies for this Christmas, CONSECRATION OF ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL, SAN-TING-OUR, The small village of San 'Ting Kur, about 12 miles North of Shanghai, has for several years been a station connected with the 'American Episcopal Mission, and part of the special charge of a native minister, Rev, Hoong Neok Woo. Having had' some medical training and experience under direction of the Surgeons of the Hongkew Hospital for Chinese, Mr. Hoong Neok has for the past two or more years had a small dispensary, where vaccination has been practised connected with an extemporized chapel at San-ting-kur.
Within the present year, he has also succeeded in obtaining sutticient funds to buy the necessary ground and build a church, which has been accomplished at a cost of $1,034;—of which $200 wore contributed by a sister of Woo, Friday last being the day appointed for the consecration of the church, the Bishop with most of the other clergy, and several ladies of the Mission, the divinity students from St. John's College, and some of the pupils from the " Bridgman Momo-rial" and 'Emma Jones" Girls' Schools, made their way to the new church by various conveyances, the chief of which was a steam launch,—kindly lent by Mr. Clark Blethen, of the firm of 8, 0. Farnham and Ca. And for this courteous act. of accommodation, not the first of the kind received from the members of the abo the since) iscopal Missi Arriving about twelve o'clock, we, found a large assemblage around and within the church, yethered from the village and surrounding country waiting with anxious curiosity to see the performance, Tt should be specially noticed that the Chehsien of the Paw-san District, who had Deen invited to attend, had sent a proclamation forbidding any disorder on the occasion, as well asa very civil reply to the invitation.
After a lunch, of a somewhat composite character,—but both more agreeable and less formal than a mandarin's dinner, the Bishop, and the clergy, native an foreign, in' the order of juniority, entering the front door of the church, went in procession up the aisle to the chancel, the Bishop and clergy alternately reading as they moved, the verses of the 24th Psalm, The Bishop within the rail read the address t6 the people and the prayers proper to the occasion, and the sentence of consecration was laid on the Communion Table. After which the opening sentences of the regular service, and the General Confession were read by the Rev. Woo Hoong-neck, who was thus, very appropriately, the Grst minister to officiate in the newly consecrated church, the building of which is so largely duo to his individual efforts. The Lessons and Creed wore very clearly read by the Rev. ¥. K. Yen. The Rey. Dr. Nelson read the prayers, and the canticles and hymns were sung with spirit by the teachers and pupils of the several schools,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.