The Fire Brigade is one of the features of Shanghai, and whenever the men turn out, cerawds of people turn out too, not ne sarily to see them, hut because there is fire underway. But whenever Shanghai wishes to make a display for the edification distinguished visitors, it is the Fire Brigade
proceedings, and their torchlight parades that is depended upon to give eclat to the attract immense crowds of people. In the words of the compilers of the Hongkong Directory it is the most efficient brigade out of the United States." The rapidity with which the men turn out is astonishing, seeing that they are all volunteers and are at home or at their offices when called by the fire bells. Day or night, intense heat or extreme cold, wet or dry make no difference to them; when duty calls they are prompt to obey. They have had some large fires to attend, notably the one on the French Concession in August 1879 when 990 houses were destroyed. Among their mottoesar Willing and ready ' Excelsior "There when wanted "Second to none "E never sleep Say the word and down comes your house."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.