A public meeting of the community, convened by Mr. R. W. Little, chairman of the Municipal Council, was held on the 8th inst. in the Lyceum Theatre, to consider the arrangements to be made for the reception of General U. S. Grant. Between sixty and seventy persons were present, including a majority of the Treaty Consuls, and many of the most influential residents.
Mr. C. Luzpen, Consul-General for Germany, proposed that Mr. R. W. Little be elected to preside.
Mr. A. Davenrort, H.M.'s Consul, seconded the motion, which was tmanimously carried.
Mr. R. W. Lirrtx accordingly took the chair and said—Gentlemen:—It needs very few words from me to open the present meeting and declare its objects. As soon as it became known that the Settlement was likely to be honoured by a visit from General Grant, it has been universally felt that we ought to give him a public reception. In Europe and throughout the East, every place that he has visited has received him with all possible honours, and though. Shanghai is only a small community numerically, it occupies a considerable place in the commerce of the world, and is not behind other and larger communities in its recognition of whatever deserves to be honoured, Your Council have felt that the reception of #0 distinguished a visitor as General Grant should be general, not merely official; cosmopolitan, not merely sectional; and they have therefore felt that it was their duty to call you together to consider what form the Teception should take, In calling this public meeting, we have followed the precedent set on the occasion of the Duke of Edinburgh's visit. Shanghai has within the last fow years dono its best to receive worthily the Duke of Edinburgh and the Imperial Prince Alexis, Everythi bio was dono for them, and the itor whom we ate now expecting is certainly not less distinguished than those two princes: we welcomed them for the sake of their ancestry and for the promise of their future; in General Grant we welcome not only his military achievements as the successful leader of perhi armies of modern time: also the successful administrator during two successive periods of that great Re-Public which holds now so lange a place in the world's history; and we know that it is not unlikely that on his return to his native land he will be asked once more to undertake the administration of that country which ho has twice conducted 80 well (Cheers.) The Council would suggest, as was done on the occasion of the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh, that this meeting should elect a Committee, who should be charged to draw up a programme for the General's reception. Various sug gestions have been made as to what should be done, and it is thought that a public dinner or ball should be given to enable the ladies in the Settlement to meet the General; that, we should also have a torchlight procession of the Fire Brigades, which I think is what we are most efficient in; and no doubt the General will be received by the Volunteers when he comes. It is also likely that the Chinese will do something to show their admiration of the General also, and it will be for the Committee appointed to arrange for the reception, to arrange with shorn what should be done. There is one thing
General. We could invite him to see—I takes place about the time mo expect the don't. mean the Races, but the Spring ta, which is such an interesting event, (Laughter), The Council have a fow names to suggest to you for the Committee, names which have been suggested by themselves; and our American fellow residents have also selected a fow names to represent them in the matter. We shall be glad if you can add to these, or suggest anything that we can do to show not only our honour and respect for the man, but also our admiration for that great, count in which most of us are interested and wit which so many of us are intimately connected. The names suggested to us to represent the American portion of the community are Messrs. 0. P. Blethen, F. B. Forbes, F. P. Knight, J. G. Purdon, and W. S. Wetmore." Tt has been suggested that Mr. Millet, who is now president of the French Municipal Council, or, in case he leaves before the General's arrival, Mr. Bluntschli, his probable successor, and Mr. Vouillemont should be on the Committes as representing the French portion of the community. Messrs. Andre and Hiibbe, it is suggested, should come on the Committee as Germans, and besides these there, are the Chairman and Vice-Chairman the Municipal Council, and Messrs. Hel-land, J. Hart, F. H. Bell, and J. H. Hart, the Commissioner of Euston. We shall very glad to hear any one present propose any other gentleman to erve on the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.