The Mih-ho-loong Ball, which took place at the Shanghai Club on the Fridny evening, wan agent sneeers, That it was equal in every resect to any of its predecessors was evident to all who were in a position to make the comparison, and a greater compliment could not be paid to those who brought about this result than the recognition of the fact, for past Mih-ho-loony Balls lave been successful almost +0 the degree of perfection. and they rank in the memory among the - ayest of our annually recurring festivities. But this year circumstances combined tomakethereunion especially brilliant. The Italian corvette Vetter Pisuui was in harbour, and the ball was exalted by the presence of royalty, in the person of her commander, the Duke of Genoa, who was accompanied by Count cly Luca, the Italian Minister, and the Countess, as well as by several of his officers." The probability of 1 Royal among the guests a siderably to the brilliance of the occasion, a8 Is of all the Powers represented their official here was also a goodly sprinkling of officers from the other linen-of-war, of different nationalities, i last, though first in prominent gorgeous uniforms of the newly resuscitated company of Ranyi ing addi tion to the attractions of the ballroom, they enhanced reo the beauty of the scene; the commingling of their wuiforms ith the red tunics of the Volunteers, the scarlet shins of the members of the Hook and Ladder Company, the blue and yellow tunics of the Artillerymen, and the handsome dresses of the ladies, all in a bull-room elegantly decorated and bril-huntly lighted, produced " pleasing kaladeiscopic effect nut ensily to be forgotten.
in afew words was the gatl ices of the ALih on Friday and a0 afte been our pleasure to eulogise the hospitality of the hosts, that it is a work of anpererogation to cuter into the details of the arrangements that were made for the enjoyment and convenience of their guests, Phe reputation of the Mih-ho-loong in respect is a sufficient guarantee that as on all past Occasions, every had been done that could be devised to promote comfort and plossue, The entrants to the Club wax covered in, and the ground covered with matting; the hall was screened off with the national flags of France, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Persia, Holland, {taly, Brazil and Japan; the Bi is 18 were suspended from in the lobby; the staircase wns th " crimson cloth, edged on el tide with choice foras and plants landing were sweet-smelling flowers ies; the gallery was closed in and into ® promenade, the walls being prettily decorated with evergreens and flowers, relieved by miniature flags while the whole of the upper suite of rooms were availed of for one purpose or another, As on past occasions the refresh-mis wore draped with pink and and the verandah was enclosed nptuously furnished as retiring the ladies. Here were displayed hies of the two Mih-ho-loong Companies, while the most prominent features of the decorations of the ball-room were their well-known—mottues and shields, and wreaths of evergreens, n feature of special interest being nal roll of the Fire Company. Kvery room looked vay and hi po formerly, reflected the mittee, which ce sisted of Messrs, R. Mackenzie, 1. Glass, W. Cance, F. Grosse, F. ' Huchting, iG. Vouillemont, G. J. Morrison, Dowdall and G. W. Noel, the Inst-named gentleman acting as Honorary Secretay.
No fewer than 126 Indies, we under stand, accepted. invitations, and of these between 75 and 80 were present, and the gentlemen numbered about 250.' A proof eighteen dances was gone town Bind, under the leadership of Signor Vela, late of the Italian Opera Company. But the music was not of the same degree of excellence as the other features of the gathering, which was no doubt attribute ble to Signor Vela's short connection with the members of the Band, and in this respect we think it was somewhat unfortunate that the services of amateurs, with the assistance of Signor Vela and Herr Eyard, the latter of whom la atill in Suanghai, were not availed of, Ut is almost needless to say that the supper was all that could be wished for, and that the arrangements for other refreshments were most complete, It was after two o'clock before the prom yrmmine was completed, and the majority vf the Indies remained to the end to fill their engagements, which is proof positive that the Bfil-ho-loong Ball of 1881 was brilliant success, NAVAL AND VOLUNTEER TIKID-DaY, It is seldom that in Shanghai—in these, happily, peaceful times—we have an oppor. tunity of seeing such a monster gathering of troops as the naval and Volunteer parade von Wednesday last called forth, Hence it is nob surprising that so large a concourse of spectators should have assembled on the Bund about the hour of muster, and also at advantageous points along the line of march, to witness the unusually geand spectacle, True it is that as recently as the 4th Feb., a very imposing show was presented by the blue-jackets and marines from H.M.'s ships Encounter and Pegasus and a fair muster of the several branches of the Volunteer Corps, on the occasion of the funeral of Commander the Hon, H. N.S. Hood, of the Pegasus. But Wednesday's parade was not only more imposing, but had also quite a different intent in view, and all who tuck pact in it knew beforehand full well that hard work was expected of them. It was indeed a parade called especially for the instruction of the Volunteers, and rarely is it that a like opportunity for obtaining such instruction is afforded them. The paucity of the Volunteer force hero renders it impossible to hold battalion drills to much advantage; its efforts mus therefore be unduly limited to company drill. With a thorough knowledge of company drill, however, the men quickly acquire all that is necessary for battalion drill, since battalion drill is after all needed more for the instruction of the officers and sergeants than for the rank and file. AN who take an interest in the maintenance and alliciency of the Volunteer force—aud who in this Settlement does not?—must have been pleased to observe on Wednesday that the Volunteers showed their approciation of the opportunity afforded them for instruction by mustering in force, Every Volunteer who could come, was, we are sure, present on that occasion, We incline to the opinion that the large muster was not a little due to the good offices of Major Holliday, who had, with his wonted enthusiasm for the welfare of the Corps, some days previously arranged with the heads of itougs. and others to grant subordinates the necessary leave. 'The liberal spirit, tov, in which he was met by those of whom the favour was asked was worthy of much praise. Then with regard to tie Reyular forces, a good muster was to be expected of them, since there are at present in harbour' three British men-of-war, having on board complement of some 600 mon. Success, therefore, was, as it should be in such cases, ensured in advance, and all that was needed was a favourable condition of the elements. In this respect also fortune favoured, for though there was a cloudy, threatening sky, and the temperature was abnormally high for this season of the year—about 80° F.,—it would have been dillicult to have selected a more favourable day for the field operations, At 3 p.m., the infantry battalion was formed into nine companies and drawa up in column (facing north) on the Bund, while the small troop of Rangers (numbering fifteen), under the command of Capt. Keswick, and the battery of Artillery (16 files), with two guns, under Capt. Dallas, took up a position at the head of the'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.