Christmas, apart from its religious associations, is at least a traly English festival. Wherever the Anglo-Saxon race may be found they invariably look forward to, and make preparations for, celebrating the season of peace and goodwill in the approved style. One time-honoured custom connected with Christmas is by no means overlooked in this part of the -world—the bestowal of Christmas boxes. For this the various store-keepers have for several days been making active preparations; we visited some of their establishments yesterday and were most courteously shown over them and favoured with an opportunity of inspecting the tempting borg Our first place of call was at Me: L, Vrard & Ca, where such a variety of useful and ornamental goods were displayed that it is a difficult matter to begin a description of them. The first articles to which our attention was directed were some very handsome cigar cases in Vienna and Mo-recco leather: close beside these were several neat pocket books bound in to1 toise-shell and crocodile skin. Opposite to these was a fine display of crystallized electro-plate ware and two splendid French porcelain tea and coffee 8 which ought to have no difficulty in finding purchasers, Wo were next shown some cui ous mechanical toys which will certainly be popular with young Bhanghel, Amongst these was what was labelled a photographic mystery. It was a box containing compounds not unlike ordinary water colours, which by some peculiar process that we failed to understand, could be made to take a perfect copy of any photograph. Farther on were a choice assortment of aterooscopes of various sizes and shapes, and a lot of valuable dressing and writing aes in crocodile skin; next came a tity of doll's beds of all patterns and sizes, some of them being almost large enough to accommodate live dolls. Not far off was case full of dolls of all colours and nations, dressed in every conceivable ce: tume. We wore particularly struck with one of them attired in a handsome silk dress which, on being wound up, would cry like child and say "Mamma" and "Papa" as distinctly as possible. In the next case to the dolls was a curious piece of medianism consisting of two polar bears by the side of a ladder which one of them, by turning a key, would climb up and down luite methodically. Messrs, Vrard and '0. also offer for sale some of the prottiest silk and feather fans we have seen for along time. At each end of the store was a'gilt cage in which was placed a bird of remarkable plumage supposed (probably) to be a bullfinch. By winding up a species of clock work they were made to chirruy '80 naturally that had the room been dai avy one would have imagined that they were listening to real birds instead of artificial ones, Another curiosity of the sam kind was what at first sight appeared to be a handsome gilt suf-box, but on a key being turned a small lid flew open and out came a tiny bird which sang for a minute or two and disap We were also shown a large assortment of watches and jewellery from which some very acceptable Christmas presents might be selected. Leaving this we next went to the establishment of Messrs. Kelly and Walsh which contains a greater variety aller articles than any we have yet electro-plate goods we were pacticlarly visited. After looking at some useful struck with @ magnificent took of photograph fames; some were of plush mounted with gold; there were also two curious looking brass ones which are said to be quite the fashion at home but which can scarcely be considered ornamental. The handsomest by far was one of plush with real grass and ferns let in between two glasses. By the side of these was a novelty in photography in the shape of pa what are called panel photographs. Thes are much larger than cabinet ones and are so mad to rest on an easel. We were shown two capital ones of the Queen and Prince of Wales. On the same counter were some beautiful little oil paintings done on mother-of-pearl shells; one of them, a moonlight Scene, was capitally executed. Farther on were some very neat ladies' workbaskets lined with figured satin, inkstands and string barrels in olive-wood, and some horse-shoo and Lawn-tennis letter clips which are certainly a novelty in Shanghai, Those who are fond of making a collection of photographs of celebrities, fashionable beauties, actresses &c., can do so to their heart's content at this store; a larger or better stock can scarcely be found anywhere. A lot of scent cases and ladies' satchels are worthy of inspection. The photographic albums we saw almost surpass description they were bound in plush, morocco, velvet &c. Oneof them styled the Mikado's Album was one of the handsomest and most original, as regards design that we have ever seen; the pages were illuminated curious and beautiful Japanese flower pictures and the entire "getup" of the book was most elaborate. A curious little bracket with an wsthetic looking cup and saucer attached was conspicuous if not retty. Then came a large stock of work age, necessaries, stationery cases, ladies'
anions, cases of scizzors and pearl toilet stands which were all handsome and tempting but do not require any special Oar attention was also directed glass mirrors said rage at home, but which are by no means ornamental and are much too small to be useful. Some ladies' belts and bags were certainly prettier and much more serviceable. Close by these were some very neat double plush frames for two photographs and some horse-shoo watch stands which are by no means the least attract articles in the shop. Gentlemen desirous of making really useful presents to ladies might do worse than invest in some neat and comprehensive ladies' carriage cases containing, pocket-book, purse, companion, etc., etc. all in a small compass. We admired some crackled glass vases of various shapes, and colours which were ranged side by side with some ingenious nests of boxes. Above these were two well-executed brass medallions in plush mounts, Then came a splendid lot of dressing and toilet cases, glove boxes, fans, cigar cases, pockets-books for photographs and Japanese pou-wipers which ought all to prove very acceptable presents. A Compendium of Games requi extended notice. This @ small box not larger than an ordinary which is so cleverly designed that it was made to contain requisites for about twenty indoor games; this is a host in itself. A number of Japanese lanterns will perhaps be a novelty to many here, especially aa they are very elaborate. On one counter was a rare and beautiful display of jewel and blotting cases, whatts for corners, meerchaum pipes and letter balances. A fine toned grand piano by Brinsmead reflects credit on the maker and ought to recommend his instruments to favourable notice. The organette, mentioned in the advertisements, is an instrument resembling a harmonium in external appearance; it has no key-board but is played by means of treadles and a handle like that of a street organ. It is capable of playing a large selection of tunes and has @rich full tone, For some time we have been wont to con Christmas and birthday cards as belonging to a by-gone age and as being 80 worn-out that it would be impossible to strike out anything original in that line. An inspection of Messrs. Kelly and Walsh's arock of these articles soon convinced error, for we wore shown uted ones that were a study in themselves. Some American designs that gained Seen at a recent competition were unique, rom these we crossed over to the book department and were shown a stock which caused us to forget the tenth commandment for the moment, as far as ing other men's goods was concerned, There were some splendid editions of Sovtt, Tennyson, Milton, é&c., &., bound in morocco, but one of Byron's works with several of Payne Jenning's photographs surpassed them all: the prices were comparatively low. We must not omit to mention that complete and valuable editions of the works of Ruskin and Hallam, very neatly bound, are being offered at most reasonable rates, The "Stones of Venice' is a work highly prized at home as many of the earlier and botter editions are now out of print, Messrs, Kelly and Walsh have by no means forgotten the juveniles. Such works as they have on hand would be an unfailing source of pleasure to them. ' Wee Babies, 'Abroad,' a companion volume to 'At Home,' illustrated by Thos. Crane and Houghton, Andersou's ' Fairy Tales' illus. trated by' E.V.B., 'Sunny Hou Pretty Flowers,' 'Bifin Land,' Afi Pea," an old acquantauce, and volumes of the Buttercup Sori. as og Chatterbo and the Boy's:. anal afford a wide range of choice for the ising generation. The latest ideas in stationery are station of Morocco and Russia leath rosald to be very good for correspondence. We shall give a description of several other stores in our next issue.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.