Pagoda Anchorage may not be a first-class port, the community here may not be very large; but in point of loyalty the British residents yield to none. To commemorate the sixtieth anniver-serv of the reign of Her Majesty the Queen not only the British, bue the whole foreign community assembled in gala on the 22nd. Queen's Weather " was, after a long spell of wet, hailed with intense delight. The heavy rains and strong winds had so thoroughly upset the outdoor preparations on more than one occasion that from an early hour on Tuesday everything was bustle and confusion! in the Consulate grounds where by} common consent the festivities were to be held. Our worthy Vice-Consul set to work in real earnest to get through his programme. The Committee rushed with their labour. In a word all hers ce-operated in one way or another to get everything ready before three. And no little work had to be accomplished as cruel fate bad damaged archways and sheds, These damages were, however, repaired with a rapidity which caused universal surprise, The Consular grounds were completely transformed. Bamboo hare ways, decorated with greens and flags, were erected at various points. A huge archway artistically hung with flags of foreign nations covered the lawn, carpeted as it was by the green sward.
At 12, H.M.S. Archer fired a royal salute. It ix needless t mention that she and everyshipin port were dressed with za bunting from 8 " m.. while the Union Jacl and other flags waved proudly from flagstatts put up in every foreign house for the occussion. At three, punctually, the children began to arrive. "And not only the young but the grown-up children too, Tea over the youngsters were presented with comanemorative medals by This item over, a juggler performed tricks to the arisement of the guests of all ages. Next came the unveiling of a Jubilee Tree by little Lilian, the youthful aughter, aged eleven months, of ourhospitable Mr. and Mrs. Joly, for whom her father performed the ceremony, after a most apposite little speech and one befitting the occasion, Constable McGregor, who appeared for then once in full Highland regimentals, then ably executed various selections on the bagpipe; by the strains of which the numerous guests were so inspirited that a Roger de Coverk: y was tripped on the green with thorough eagerness and enthusiasm.
The children, during this while and afterwards, indulged in games in which many of the grown-up took a share, with the end not only of making the whole function a success but of giving vent to the exuberance of their spirits.
The unusual scene attracted throngs of natives around the Consular grounds, and despite the elfurts of a body-guard kindly lent by Commissioner Hsii, who honoured with other Chinese high officials the festivities by their presence, many were unable to.curh their inquisitive. ness and they climbed the walls, clambered up the trees and penetrated even within forbidden precincts; but all in good nature and. not the least attempt at disorder or obstruction. The company then separated to meet again in the same compound at 8.30, But what a transforination had been successfully executed under the supervision of Vice-Consul Joly! The scene was fairylike! The archways were up with variegated lanterns. The gate, which was placed " transparency, gave a "Welcome" to every guest. The offices and private residence were artistic cally lit up with illuminated V. R.'s, shields, stars, scrolls and transparencies, all with suitable devices and representations. The! their departure, verandahs were lined with red, blue and white glass lanterns which shed a soft lustre around while on the flagstaff waved an illuminated Union Jack, and the mast was ingeniously traced with variegated glass lanterns. The huge archway too, on the lawn, presented, lit up as it was, a sight never to be forgotten. Under its wing was spread a horse-shoe table, beautifully Inid out and decorated by the hands of some of the fair members of our loyal community. But I must not omit to add, that as in' the Consular grounds, so in every compound of the British community, whether on Mamoi, Pagoda Island, or the Customs' side, lights upon lights testified to the loyalty of the inmates, and the effect j from the water was grand. The brilliancy was intensified by the darkness of the night. H.MS. Archer, decorated as she from end to end with electric lights, threw a lustre on the river which evoked the admiration of every spectator. But other surprises remained in. store for our com-Ab, grand display of rockets took place on board the Archer which for a time became the cynosure of the evening.
This spectacle over, dinner was announced and the fifty guests among whom besides the majority of British residents, figured the Chinese high officials, Commissioner Hsii and Director Wei Han, the members of the French Mission, Messrs. Dryére and Berthet, Legal] and Bollot, several officers of IMS. Archer and representatives from various ships in harbour, took their respective seats round the festive hoard. Good cheer and high spirits ruled throuzhout this part of the festivities, and every one seemed to enjoy himself and the
Joly proposed the toast of the even-and things supplied. At dessert, Mr. ing in a speech which evoked the applause of the company. At the end of this, the National Anthem was sun with hearty lustiness, amid the brilliancy cas around by red and blue lights and the rattle of salvo of crackers. A graceful attention followed: Our worthy Vice-Consul asked all Britishers to drink to the health of the Rulers and Sovereigns of such of the foreign guests as had giv n the British community the honour of their presence fa toast which was received with loud acclamation.
The reply came from Mr. Drytre. In eloquent terms he acknowledged the compliment paid him and all the other foreign guests.
Speech then for a time followed speech. Tothe toast of "The Ladies" neatly given by Mr. Joly, Dr. Underwood responded with humour and grace.
Mr. Dryére, after a time, begged permission to propose a health which he felt sure would have a hearty reception. He then went on to express his regret, reciprocated by all present, at the approaching departure of Mr. and Mrs. Joly for Corea. 'They had, he said, endeared themselves among one and all'; and while wishing them every good thing, he hoped soon' to see them amongst them again.
To this, Mr. Joly returned thanks with warmth and feeling.
The Rev. Mr. Hubbard having testified to the esteem and admiration in which Her Majesty is held in the states, the flood of oratory was arrested with a well deserved toast: to the Committeeand a suitable but depreciatory reply thereto. The company then adjourned from the banquet at an advanced. hour. The guests scattered about and ramble ed round the illuminated grounds. Presently the sparkle of fireworks collected them again and the set pieces, sixteen in all, were enjoyed with thorough pleasure.
The next item on the programme was a convert, at which several of our local talents distinguished themselves with the generous aid of amateurs from the Archer; music then gave way to the fantastic which was kept up with animation till 3 30 a.m. when little by little the guests reluctantly took Thus came a successful day to a close without a hitch; a day pronounced by one and all, whether young or old, British or foreign, of perfect enjoyment and pleasing surprises. The British community through their working committee, Messrs. Joly, underwood, Stevens, and Nelson received only their due, for no trouble had been spared, no effort stinted, to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of every one with-}out discrimination. But though every [Britisher did his best, it is but fair to acknowledge the ce-operation of every [foreign gue-t, who did, in one way or another, his share to make the commemoraj tion worthy of the occasion.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.