Pleasant but mysterious rumours having been discussed by us youngsters, for some weeks past, that, in the course of his worldwide travels, good Father Christmas would not forget to visit his friends in Newchwang; and it being farther understood that ho would duly appear at the Children's Party, to be given by M. Boyd Bredon, our Commissioner of Customs, on Christmas Eve: you will understand with what feelings of delight we started for the residence of our genial host. An unusually heavy fall of snow having made the scene out-of-doors both wintry and wild, and rendered our locomotion the reverse of facile, we were doubly delighted to arrive at our destination Here we were received by our host, who dwells in all the state of bachelorhood, and by him led into the drawing-room, which, for the nonce, had been converted into an excellent romping-ground for the juveniles, some of whom were already busily engaged in the time-honoured game of blinduian's buff. Thi was followed by more enjoyable mirth of a like description, during which our merry company was augmented by the entrance of some children of a larger growth who entered also into our merrie ment with much heartiness and spirit.
Our next source of amusement was magic lantern, and many were the scenes, doth grave and gay, which we beheld, and were so excellently displayed by a popular and reverend visitor.
We were next conducted, in marching order, to a spacious dining-room where 3 bountiful tea awaited us, and to which we did the ample justice which is characteristic of Newchwang juveniles living in a bracing climate like ours But our appetite received an additional stimulus from the graceful and assiduous manner in which We were waited on by the ladies present.
'Tea being over, we then were invited to see a Christmas Tree, an invitation we were not slow to accept.' And what a splendid sight it was! Standing some 15 feet high, and lighted with countless miniature candies of varying colours, it was futher adorned on every branch with pendant pictures, crackers, and toys. Whi in admiring wonder, marvellous tree, on @ sudden, we' were startled by the loud notes of a trumpet and as every eye was fastened upon the closed door, it quickly opened, and Father Christmas—bent with years—appeared, dragging debind him his' sleigh, so heavily laden with boxes, packets and letters of ever possible size and description. The el gentleman appeared much pleased with carty reception we gave him, and introduced himself in these words Old Father Christmas! here I come, A self invited guest.
Here I come from wandering North, South, Exst and West And though I might have wandered From Peking to Hongkong, There's nothing half so joyous Asa Christmas in Newchwang So here am I and here are you, And here we're all together And nothing now can spoil our fun, Not even wintry weather Our genial host who brought us here, And planned this evening's pleasure Is surely, in himself alone—An inestimable treasure There stands our wise physician, With ultra-professional air Thinking of Christmas suppers, And how they will add to his care And is it not a joyful thought, "Mid the gloom that winter's made, We've always with us in Newchwang, Bushes that never fade!
But Jo! what form looms on my view, With elephantine grace Whose honeyed words no sweeter are, Than the smiles upon his face And yet another portly form, Ah! what would Newchwang be, Without that friend of old and young, Without its own Har And what of all the ladies fair, T sve before mo now?
Of each and all I'd like to speak, But time does not allow.
After some further verses in-which were 8 few allusions to some of the company present (but I cannot remember everything Father Christmas said) and fora stranger, the good Father certainly described us wonderfully well, the leigh was then unpacked, and the distribution of countless and seasonable gifts then began. Weall—both young and old-—and there were some 45 of us present, received suitable and costly presenta, with which each one was delighted. Presently, Father Christmas intimated that he was about to start for another port, and bade us each, Farewell. Truly, we juveniles in Newchwang have a good time, and the Childrens' Christmas Party of 1889 will long be remembered by us all.
Christmas, 1889,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.