COlbristmas Day, 1880, is now close at hand, and the residents of these Settlements have' never as yet, to the best of our recollection, failed to observe the day and carry out the usual festivities kept up in connection with it that are usually to be found in the family circle in our distant homes. Do what we will, however, we can only try our best to spend Christmas as we used to in years gous by. We can m together, and dine, and dance, but—there's no place like Home. It is a word that may be said to have little or no meaning here for many of us, but still we certainly contrive to make ourselves pretty comfortable on the whole, and if we do not all have the "merry Christmas" that we so heartily and cordially wish each other, at least we are not loft altogether without means of enjoyment. But there are some whic are fortunate as to have homes even in Shanghai, and to whom the word is not by any means a dead letter. These are, we suppose, the people most likely to be interested in the preparations that boon made, by many of our enterprising fellow-residents, to furnish all who can Rollare or Shanghai sycee with Christmas reduce an equivalent of value in Mexican cheer for the table and good things of conceivable description known in the civilised worldtomakoglad the hearts of all, old and young, as faras possible. Although we have not been able to pay our customary visit to the Shanghai stores quite as early this Christmas as we did a year ago, we have found that the displays, one and all, are not one whit the less extensive or inferior in quality to those of previous On entering the store of Messrs. Kelly and Walsh, an immense number of books, suited for' the juvenile members of the community, attract attention. All sorts, all sizes, and all prices from five cents to five dollars. Large-sized cards tastefully got up and coloured by chromo-lithographic recess, atid bearing quotations from shakespeare, are cheap as well as attractive. The number and diversity of the Bibles, Church Services and gift books to suit every variety of taste, is very great, and the would-be donor who wished to purchase gift must suppose his friends to have somewhat peculiar tastes if he cannot find on the stalls something that they will appreciate. We noticed more especially, however, a copy of Ruskin's "Stones of Venice with the original illustrations. In the contre of the store is a handsome show of electro-plated ware, which more than compensates by its elegance for its somewhat limited extent, Articles of various kinds used by the devotees of "the weed" always constitute a noteworthy feature here, and the proprietors have 'Messrs Stewart and Osborne show a class of their patrons, Meerschaum pipes, number of toys, at reasonable pric: cigar and cigarette cases and holders of Dolls are also' numerous hero and many different descriptions are well children with tastes lying in the worthy of notice, Many of the photograph direction of puzzles, will doubt albums are very handsomely got up both less be glad to make use of any purchases inside and out, one in particular, called of that class of goods made at the store in the "Empress of India," having many Kiukiang Road. With a view to promot-of the pages decorated very elegantly. ing the comfort usually derived by ladies For those whose tastes lie in the direction from the practice of indulging in five o'clock of Japanese goods, ample provision is made; teas, and making that habit the occasion and there are doubtless those in the Settle-for circulating news of approaching ment who would rather receive a gift of marriages in high life," &c., some Japanese the value of $180 in the shape of a Mason cosies, if presented to fair hostesses, will and Hamlin organ than in something more tend to keep the tea hot to the end of the showy and less useful. Messrs. Kelly and longest discussion of other people's affairs Walsh are agents for Messrs. Leroy that has to be narrated to any number of Fairchild of New York, and an extensive others who may happen to drop in. A display of pencil-cases, &e., of their make, combination of a muff and handbag in gold and aluminium, can be seen sealskin would doubtless be received with by visitors. thanks by many a Lady, and some The first question that presents itself elaborately embroidered silk scarfs and on entering the large and greatly improved many silk and crepe goods from Japan are premises of Messrs. Hall & Holtz, is well worth going to see, which way to turn first to inspect their Messrs. Weeks and Ca, have been doin, show. The place itself is tastefully deco-an extensive business in toys for sever rated with evergreens, and it is evident days, but all the stock has not yet gone. from the appearance of the establishment Where there are so many kinds, it is impos-that neither trouble nor ingenuity has been sible to give details satisfactorily, but spared in the efforts made to arrange the the quality of the goods and the vast array of goods to the best possible lowness of the prices at this store are two advantage, It would be useless to attempt undisputed facts. Among the Christmas to enumerate the varieties of good things cards are some in boxes got up in a similar provided for Christmas in the direction of style to valentines. ministering to the requirements of the postal tem during the festive season.
Making our way now to those estab-office it to say that the display is ufficient not only to gladden the hearts of lishments which undertake the ssu ply more exclusively of those things whic all juveniles happy enough to have the are generally meant by the term opportunity of seeing it, but that the creature comforts," Mr. Evans's dis-most casual glance would cheer the heart play proved to be a very impressive of any doctor or chemist in a despond-one. Christmas cakes are numerous, ing frame of mind. There are no end and mince pies and plum puddings of sweetmeats, candies, cosaques and all form a tempting array. There is a manner of lighter accessories to the large stock of cosaques, many of which are merry-making appropriate to the season of of quite novel designs. the year, and toys there are of all kinds, But for as good roast beef as can be many of the mechanical ones being very obtained in England, yo to Mr. Hopkins's ingenious. A musical box, with dancing new shop at the corner of the Ningpo and figures attached, and a peacock that Szechuen Roads, whose establishment is struts about and spreads his tail in the well worthy of inspection. And not only most correct style were furnishing amuse has ho the best of beef, but his stock of ment to a group of children at the time mutton, veal, corned meat, pork and game our visit. There is an extensive display of electro-plated ware, andthe number of pies, has been really splendid, and it is constantly being replenished. fancy articles, albums, inkstands, vases, Messrs. Mustard and Ca, are in paper-weights, scont-bottles é&e., is prac-larger and better quarters than tically endless, The Christmas cards and they were this time Inst year, and fancy stationery must not be over-consequently are able to show' their looked. large stock of all kinds of provisions, Messrs, Vrard and Ca. show a largo both necessaries and luxuries, to greater variety of goods, principally French. advantage. Fresh apples and nuts are Their glassware is of many varied des-abundant, and, as might be expected in criptions and consists of articles to be an American store, candy" of all desoripput to as many different uses. Dolls tions and put up many different shapes, are in considerable force and range forms a very important feature. Messrs. in price from one dollar to twenty.
Morel & Ca. of London have appointed Some of these are curly-headed, and this house their agents here, and there is a have a simply seraphic expression of od display of sauces and articles of countenance, especially those among the usury of their manufacture. Some number which are provided with flexible very pretty boxes of cosaques from this joints. A limited number of articles, noted London house and some boxes of made of a very pretty wood, is to be table raisins packed in a similar way seen here, consisting of portrait-frames, set off the table very well. The whole paper-knives, &o., which have been stock is more of " useful description than imported from Sorrento. Several ornamental, but there is no lack of things framed "lithographs in relief" are to be found in it to which both words will worthy of note, and the musical boxes apply. have only to be heard to be appreciated. OF course the extensive stock of Messrs, Mackenzie & Ca., and Messrs. G. clocks, watches and jewellery that this Smith and Ca., without making any special firm always displays requires no attempt provision for Christmas, will be found at description, but there is now a specially ready to supply their customers with wines large collection of diamonds, sapphires, and liquors of good brands and of all emeralds and rubies on view. descriptions. The former firm have also, in Messrs. Sayle & Ca. have not forgotten addition to these goods, sume very fine their numerous patrons among the ladies, English electro-plated ware, from which and have a full line of Rimmel's perfumery handsome Christmas presents can be put up in many different ways to show selected. them. Photograph albums, jewel-cases Mr, Seisson, who has lately returned glove-boxes, desks and toilet requisites of from Europe, has imported a varied assort-all kinds await the inspection of those who ment of French sweetmeats and also many wish to purchase. Downstairs, gentlemen fancy boxes of very artistic workinanshipand will find a stock of American cigarettes and elegant appearance in which to put them. tobaccos of various kinds.
They are on view at the Hotel des Colonies.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.