Towards the end of the year 1875 half a dozen marine engineers decided among themselves to establish an Institute, and took rooms at the temperance Hall in the Nanking Road. Like most new undertakings of the kind in Shanghai, ocular roof of the benefits of the establishment ad to be given before the scheme met with the support it deserved. Undeterred, however, Ly these difficulties, the promoters persevered in their efforts, and the 'Marine Engineers' Institute became an_accomplished fact in the beginning of 1876. Since that time it has continued to increase in popularity, and now it numbers over one hundred members, who have comfortable rooma provided for them, with the attra tions of a well-stocked library, scientific magazines and periodicals, and billiards and other games, while arrangements have been made for the posting and distribution of members' letters. A scheme has also been devised whereby the members can deposit their surplus money in safe keeping, and the facilities offered in this respect are much appreciated. In fact, the institution supplies a want that was felt for many years, and it brings together a class of men for social and profitable intercourse who would otherwise find it difficult to spend their leisure hours so pleasantly.
Last year the members of the Institute celebrated their anniversary with a miscel-Janeous entertainment consisting of vocal and instrumental music, recitations and readings, and speeches by the Very Rev. Dean Butcher, D.D., who presided, and Mr. J. G. Morrison; and a few' days afterwards they gave a dance in the Temperance Lecture Hall, which proved so successful that this year a ball was decided
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.