British residents Shanghai send respectful heartfelt congratulations Her Majesty's seventy-seventh anniversary."
The sentiments which dictated the message will be appreciated by those who do not owe Ter allegiance, for whilst through all the political conflicts which have been fought in England Her Majesty has uninterruptedly commanded the love and loyalty of her own people by her impartiality and reliance upon their wisdom, she has, whatever may have the official differences between her State and others, wou respect and admiration for her personality from her fellow sovereigns and their peoples. Her ability and tact as a ruler are evidenced by the homogeneity of the wonderful and magnificent empire which looks up to her as Queen Empress; her virtues as a wife and mother, and the possession of all those qualities which go to make a thoroughly good woman are certified to by the sincerity with which her subjects have entered into the joys and sorrows which have brightened or shadowed her life. It is impossible to read without a responsive thrill the letters to her people—speaking the language of a true woman's heart—in which she has acknowledged their sympathy at. times of national sorrow; whilst the purity of her Court, when one recalls the state to which it had sunk under some of her predecessors, has been a powerful influence in raising the standard of morality throughout her dominions. The longer she reigns the deeper does the attachment of her people to their Soveriegu become, for they justly feel that at no time had England greater cause to be proud of the occupant of the Throne. To Her Most Gracious Majesty then, on behalf of the British residents in China, we venture to offer the most sincere and respectful congratulations joined to the hope that for many years she may still be'spared to rule over " happy, prosperous, and united people. God gave the Queen
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.