The Japanese guests as well as some half dozen foreigners who had accepted the kind invitation of His Excellency. the Governor-General to join them, departed from Twatutia at 2 p.m. in a large govern ment launch, accompanied by a launch carry ing guards, servants, etc., and a third launch carrying the capital city band. Light refreshments were served on board, and with pleasing musical selections by the band the trip down river which is usually to be avoided was made quite a pleasant part of aday'spleasure, Arriving at Hobo the city was found to be in holiday attire, the old Dutch fort standing out above all with two Jong lines of flags brought down to the ground two sides from the high flag staff which rises above the building. The British steamship Haimwn tas present to join in the celebration and was dressed "up in her very best. The party proceeded to the Consular grounds where Consul Bonar and wife, Mrs Gould and others received them. The lawn between the old Datch fort and the Consular residence had been dotted with chairs and settees, while from a table at one side were provided light refreshments and drinkables, At 4 p.m. a Japanese fencing match, in which four of the most skilful fencers the island afforded took part, furnished most interesting amusement for an hour or so after, when several group photographs were taken. The whole party then climbed the two pair of narrow staircases which brought them to the roof of that most interesting relic of Formosa history, "the old Dutch fort." This structure with its walls of seven and eight feet of masonry and lime, was built by the Dutch about two hundred and fifty years ago. Tt is as firm and solid, and imposing as in the days when the Dutch were battling with the Spanish and Portuguese for the supremacy of trade in the China seas. That it has lost nothing strength and is still formidable, the French bombardment of 1884 has given evidence, for during that engagement, it was struck hard and true, but the shells did no damage, and scarcely left. a mark to show where they had struck. It is a most im-
was a fitting place to celebrate the long life pressive monument of longevity, and sssuch and reign of Queen Victoria, rom, its ancient battlements, a display of day fireworks was witnessed and a historical song of old Japan sung to the accompani-
bit ow. A splendid view of the surrounding ment of chat ancient string instrument a country and village could be obtained from this point, and the decorations erected la honour of the day viewed to a great advantage. The Oxford School erected by the Rev. Dr Mackay, was prominent among these with a big arch bearing the words "God Bless Our Queen" and the various Japanese Government houses were floating their newest and biggest flags. From the fort the guests were entertained for a brief half hour by Mrs Bonar at the Consular residence, where a splendid display of Japanese works of art, rare brocades, embroideries, etc., formed a pleasing contrast to the blank warehouses which with a few exceptions are used as residences in Formosa. At half-past seven in the evening [all re-appeared in the chambers of the old Datch fort, which by the use of flags and flowers had been transformed into a benguet ball such as Tamsui had never seen before, Consul Bonar in very few words proposed the toast of the Queen which was drunk to the strains of "God save the Queen"by theband. His Excellency, General Baron Nogi, the Governor-General of Formosa, then arose and in a short speech stated he considered it a great honour to be present at such a splendid celebra-tiao aad for 90 good a cause. Mr. H. A.C. Bonar, H.B.M's Consul and other Royal subjects had _gathered ether at Tamsui in the island over which he in the service of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan was Governor, four thousand five
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.