In accordance with our custom in years gone by, we set out yesterday morning to see in what manner the various houses in the Settlement had carried out the promises contained in their attractive advertisements of several days past. The three chief houses who have especially made known to the public thei intention of making parti cular displays this Christmas were Messrs. Lane, Crawford & Ca., Messrs. Hall and Holtz, and Messrs, L.'Vrard & Ca., and towards their establishments, first, therefore, we took our way. Going down the Nanking Road towards the Bund, we saw row of carriages opposite Messrs. Hall and Holtz' store, from which we inferred that some other people had concluded to inspect the show as well as ourselves, which supposition was found to be correct on entering the store. The first things that attracted attention were the decora ations of evergreens round the pillars, hanging in graceful curves from the jung and also forming an appropriate for a large picture representing an English winter scone. The display was of such extent and variety that much difficulty was experienced in making up one's mind where to commence an inspection, but we soon found ourselves opposite some dolls possessing great personal attractions, which will we hope speedily paso into the hands of some of our little friends who will be capable of appre-clating them. Possibly with an eye to poli tical contingencies a large stock of swords, guns, drums, cannons, and similar military toys are shown in another part of the room, presumably for distribution among juvenile britons with warlike propensities. The smokers of Shanghai, who are legion in point of numbers, we may be sure are not forgotten, and many of the latest novelties in meerachaum cigar holders and pipes, as also handsome cigar cases, are displayed tastefully in two large glass cases. Arriving at the rear of the store there is seen an array of cakes, sweetmeats, preserves, crackers, cosaques and things too numerous to be de. failed, which are likely to form a prolific source of indigestion to the juvenile portion of the community before the Christmas Holidays are over. The cakes and their decorations were made by Messrs. Hall & Holtz themselves; but most of the sweetmeats, bonbons, é&¢., were imported by them from. Paris. It is of course impossible to give any detailed account of the almost infinite variety of Fancy Articles with which counter after counter is covered. Attention is, however attracted by some very handsome American plated ware, and. also" by some beautiful Japanese screens of embroidered silk; these last are very handsome. We were informed that there is a doll's house in process of manufacture, which it is intended shall be something entirely new. It is expected to be ready in a few days. The assortment of toys of all descriptions is so extensive that instead of giving any further descriptions we simply advise our readers to follow our example and inspect for themselves.
Leaving this crtabhahment, we speedily came to that of Messrs. Lane, Crawford and Ca. Of course, where such excellent taste and capital management are shown in both stores in the matter of decoration, and in all other details of display for that matter, it is difficult, in fact almost impossible, to institute anything like a comparison.' So we won't do it, but let our readers do it for themselves, if they wish; but we are sure that if they do go to both, they will find much that is novel, beautiful, and attractive in each place. Here we were greeted by two large mottoes wishing (among others) a Merry Christmas and loppy New Year. A number of dolls here also attracted close attention; a bald headed one that cried when held up seemed particularly charming. We hope some kind Papa will appreciate its vocal efforts highly. Reluctantly passing this gifted doll, we came to some very handsome dressing cases and travelling bag: beyond them, again, were some vei clever mechanical toys. Some of these were pedestrians; there was a sort of merry-go-round, while on another part of the counter a gentleman and a bear were climbing a tree with graceful but equal celerity. On yet another counter, we saw a large quantity of inexpensive toys, adthirably adapted for Christmas trees,' There will no doubt be a considerable demand for them inthatdirection. Sweetmeats and crackers, cosaques and very elegant French bon-bon boxes, next came in sight, together with some more toys of construction more or less automatic. Several of these consisted of a circular race course, with riders in larger or smaller numbers by moving a small handle, these figures went round the course with great rapidity, and it was by no means easy to guess which horse would win the race. In another part of the house some fancy goods were displayed; amongst them being more particularly noticeable a card tray and one or two other small objects made of a beautiful brown, or, more correctly speaking, mottled marble, mounted ormolu. 80 are very -handsome. In an adjoining case were some of the most beautiful works of art in the way of Christmas and New Year's cards that we have ever seen. Most, if not all of the deigns are quite new, and in any case they will amply repay the trouble of inspection. 14 novelty in clocks was shown us, the {dial being phosphorized so as to shew the time during the night. Messrs. Lane, Crawford and Ca. do not think merely, however, of the amusement of the children, but also of their instruction, and so have made ample provision in the way of books for those of all ages, most of them being in very handsome and attractive hindi Wending our way to the well-known and tastefully decorated store of Messrs. Vrard and Ca. in Kiangse Road, some pleasant sounds greeted our ears issuing from a very large and fine musical box at the far end of the store; on going up to it, it was seen to possess drum, clapper, and jingling bell accompaniment, and' was also provided with an arrangement by which any particular tune out of the 12 which it plays can be started when desired. Not far distant were a large number of small tea services, &e., in boxes, which no doubt will delight the hearts of many little girls about Christmas Day. Here were also some new mechanical toys, swimming fishes, and dogs, also a locomotive for a train that whistled' when desired. We will not attempt a minute description of the display of toilet and other fancy articles, but notice was called to some very beautiful things in what we were courteously informed was '"Longwy" ware, a sort of porcelain beautifully enamelled; some card trays also in oxydized silver and ormolu presented a very handsome appearance. The jewelry cases are well filled with watches, jackets, chains, and articles of a similar description. There was a great display of crackers and bon-bons, as might be expected. The dolls and their dresses were especially attractive, as was also a small parasol of very ingenious construction, the top of which consisted of the upper part of a doll; on opening the parasol the arms of the doll are.thrown up, and a piece of silk extending from the under side of each arm, a fan is formed. Some very beautiful earrings and pendants in the form of flowers, made of porcelain, and tinted so as to make an almost perfect imitation of nature, are also worthy of note.
Having given our readers some little information on the subject of these displays so creditable both to the taste and energy of our fellow residents, it only remains to express the hope that they will find they have not labored in vain in their efforts to fulfil the annual duty which falls to their lot of supplying the requirements of others at this festive season, of the year. We hope that their enterprise may be abundantly successful in a com+ mercial point of view; for thata large number of juveniles and seniors will have their Christinas time made happy by such efforts there can be no room for doubt.
We are given to understand that many more "wonders" remain to be unfolded and shall therefore continue our perigrinations on a future day, especially among the stores of those admirable purveyors for the more substantial and refresh "'creature comforts," which tend so to give zest to the time-worn, but indispens ible wish, "A Merny Cuniststas 10 ALL, THE BIGGEST WHEAT FARM IN AMERICA, (The Times! Special Correspondent.)
The United States, although famous for eat business undertakings, have not many large wheat-growing farms, Throughout the Eastern Middle, and even the North Western States, the ordinary grain far seldom possesses more than 200 acres, But here at Casselton, in Dakota Territory, in the valley of the Red River, is a striking excoption—a farm of 75,000 acres held by Mr. Oliver Dalrymple. Four years ago this enormous farm was a portion of the far-reaching prairie wilderness. No evidences of human life were visible. Prairio fowls, snipe, jack rabbits, the prairiesquirrel Were the inhabitants; while wild ducks and geese congregated in creeks or marshy spots. A few years previously badgers "were common, and untilled prairie their whitened bones lio thickly strewed. Some of the directors of the Northern Pacific Railway had acquired these lands and wisely appointed Mr. Oliver Dalrymple their manager, with a half-share in the concern. Mr. Dalrymple brought to his serious task a goodly experience, acquired in successfully formin 6,000 acres at Lake Elmo, near St. Paul, Minnesota, On Friday, the 26th of September, the members of the Royal Commission, Messrs, Read and Pell, your Commissioner, and a arty under the guidance of Mr. James rake, assistant manager of the St. Paul and Sioux City Railway Company, were most hospitably received by Mr. Dalrymple were driven for miles over this vast pr farm; examined its dark, friable, alluvial soil, perfectly free from stones, varying from 12in. to 20in. deep, resting' upon argillaceous clay rich in vegetable remains gathered information as to the cost of wheat production, and speculated on the permanence of continuous wheat-growing. The arrangements of this great farm are well considered and systematically and effectually carried out. Minor details receive more attention than on most farms of 100 acres time and labour are everywhere economized. On one of the subdivisions of the property telephonic communication, at a cost of only $300, is established between the superintendent's office and that of his foreman and this rapid and direct system of control is being extended throughout the whole estate. Substantial and economical wooden
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.