Of all the Mih-ho-loong Balls, or indeed any other Balls, given at the Club, that of Monday night last takes precedence. Everything that taste could suggest or knowledge supply in regard touch matters, was there—a "completeness" being, as it were, "felt" that left nothing to be desired. From the time of entering the vestibule of the Club to entering the Ball and Supper-rooms, it was apparent that neither taste nor expense had been spared to welcome the guests of the erening; while the weather, too, as if for once in unison with the desires of the gallant founders of the treat, was just of that kind which not only made it a pleasure to dress, but gave that zest to the drive along the Bund which gives the entry to a ball-rooma sort of triumph, Neither too hot nor too cold—just the happy medium which sends the blood circulating through the veins with a rapidity that makes "chasing the glowing hours with flying feet" an era to be remembered in after years,—such was the happy weather that for once ted the period fixed for holding the Mih-o-loong Ball, affording a great contrast to that of several previous years, when wind, rain, and cold weather (the two former especially) combined to throw a dampness over the enjoyment sufficient to overset much of the aplomb that is popularly supposed to contribute to the success of a gathering of the kind, This genial state of the weather was perceptible oven outside the Club, where for once was seen, in all the brilliancy of gas, a largo star, flanked with the words, © Mih-ho-loong and" Welcome"—thus greeting the guests on the threshold with a warmth that at once made them feel at Tome. 'This comfortable feeling was not damped on entering the vestibule of the building itself, for the spacious entrance was lined with' man-of-war ensigns of the several nations represented in the Consulates at Shanghai, supplemented with choice exotics and evergreens, tastefully disposed in the avenue leading to the foot of the great staircase, Here again, much taste had been displayed in decoration, and also along the corridor, a room in itself, flanking the Ball, Supper, and Refreshment rooms, and which as all Club-Dists and their guests know, affords such pleasant opportunity for lounging or prom-ending when not engaged in the more entrancing pleasures of the dance.
The drapery and other decorations of the corridor and its approaches was a never failing theme of admiration, and but for the invidiousness there would be in selection, it would not be impossible to point to. those on the Committee whose supreme taste led to so successful an issue. Havin, thus Ied the guests to the threshold of that arena of human bliss, the bal ito, it may be muppoted that description would halt, and leave to the imagination the task of completing the narrative of the further excellencies disclosed on passing the portals, But, although the pon Is almost powerless to depict the brilliant scene that greeted the eye of the on-looker, subdued by the tempered influence of =the dashing lights, the glitter of arms, flowers and evergreens—the lovely costumes of the ladies, combined with the numerous naval and military uniforms, which their engrossing associations of the moment endued with a more than passing ballroom interest—altogether contributed to make up a picture that will never be forgotten in the annals of the Mih-ho-longs.
As on former occasions, the verandahs wore enclosed and converted into drawing rooms and promenades, affording pleasureable retreats from the heated salons and even in these, pleasant places, the exceeding thoughtfulness and taste of the Committee were evinced in the disposition of the furniture and fitments generally, which,. nothing lacking, were so arranged as to give an aggregate degree of comfort at the least expenditure of space, These arrangements were the theme of much praise. The Mih-ho-Joong trophies, won in the field, were with commendable pride displayed on a stand in one of the drawing rooms, and, to a stranger especially, must have presented a striking sight, as showing what can be, and is, done in so far distant a place in the Far East as Shanghai—these being of course only an example of what the other Volunteer Companies and other associations for sport or amusements have accomplished. The "legends" of the Mih-ho-loong were also conspicuously displayed on the walls,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.