the most striking of our local yule ti fo celebrations is that of the Scandinavian p portion of our Community, who annually gat her at the festive board to make the merry season one of ational rejoicing, according to the time honoured custom of the Norse Kingdoms. This year they assembled on New Year's dye in the handsome and commodious salle OF the Masonic Hall, which underwent a Neasaut transformation for the occasions Pung profusely decorated with seasonable 2 and evergreens, while a number of characteristic sketches in oils and water-colours, painted for the occasion, mostly by amusement, which was fully shared in by the learned esaeseor on that veeasion, who occupied the head of the festive board. The last moments of the old year were not far off plan the assembly adjourned to the small hall which had been tastefully, arrange? as a cafe Scandinavie or Palais Mastedonique with a miniature stage atone, ery bile, numerous small tables filled the body of the room, around hich the hosts and their guests assembled in knots and the wassail bow! was served, Upimaiters who wielded their ladles with wiping hot, by three gentlemen i the garb aatoninhing vigour al kept, the lasses well primed till the small hours, A Jon and interesting programme, consisting three parts was gone through. In the first mart the numbers mest enjoyed were Made, eterson's overture of "Lronze Montague" on the piano, and Messrs, Sune and Fro-Dery's duet "Gluntarne," accompanied by Mae. Sone. Thesecond part of the program omnisted of a clever legendewain performance by Mr, H. Moler. Several sweet Swedish songs were contributed in the third part of the programme, and afforded trent "pleasure to the audience, Messes, Sonne and Frobeng in" Gluntarn and Mr. Petersen in Per og Maren being perhaps the most applauded, hile te. Bile's topical, ditty, entitled Shanghai's Kaleidoscope," was very happy Mie vite, rection, composed by himself, was one of the best features of the evening and Mr. Froberg's Violin. solo of the—unprenounceable. "'Datkarlemelodier" was a very enjoyable and artistic contribution. After the twusieal programme had been exhausted the tables were cleared away, and some enthusiastic votaries of the dance, despite the Tatoness of the hour, took their places, and the early hours were wiled away with many merry country dances and more fashionable issue cash notes, 80 di with the same facility as here. However, it is said that the cash shops will not be able to cash lat amounts, and to chop up the silver would not be altogether satisfactory, since it is almost impossible to make two pieces alike, and zealot Be excited in the breasts of the recipients.
has been suggested therefore that they make a friendly call upon the Magistrate fand ask hint to assist_thent by lending two underlings, and by allowing them to distribute money in 9 neighbouring temple or noe wherever he might appoint. That they hen go to the various villages and distribute foreign tickets, fixing a day for saeeeetsyutjonot eas and informing, the villagers where it will take place. The Underlings will help to keep order upon the auspicious day and prevent @ rush upon the distributors for cash, We hope this plan will work, Probably the merchants may be able to exchange a certain amount of silver, if the cash shops have not sufficient to meet the need.
We have decided to continue givin; relief to the poor in, the villages around Chao-kia-k'e0, but to do nothing in the city itself, At present four, including Mr. Lund, {are out distributing. I was out myself on Tuceday, and yesterday two villagers called and begged me to go to their village where" there was real distress, 30 I complied with their request and went to-day.
Thus you will see everyone who can possibly go is engaged in the work.
morning Tatarted off with the two villagers and a Christian helper for village in question. A thick mist Uuveloped the country, making it impossible to see two yards away. We took a boat, and after travelling 6 oF 7 Li reached wide expanse of water which—in the mist—looked, boundless, We a on and until the boatmen and vill at, cheir Mir. O, Nielsen, hung round the walls. "The earings, but aftavéi at a See pees gathering numbered between seventy and shee lar b.essis! Carl Bock, J. waltzes, Te wag far into the m one we were seeking, though one in grent eighty, fifteen, oF SIM ental fie Sweden
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.