On Wednesday last an interesting ceremony took place at this Institution when the prizes wore delivered to the girls who had been successful in their studies during the past year. 'The chair was occupied by Mr. O. Thorne and after an opening Prayer by the Rev. H. C. Hodges programme of singing, recitations, and gone through. "Mr. Thorne then presented pianoforte playing was' most. creditably the prizes, addressing each girl separately upon her success, and urging them all to 80 act that they might obtain the blessing of God, and thus be enabled to combat the many difficulties and dangers to which they must' of necessity be exposed when they entered upon their duties of life. He expressed to the ladies and gentlemen present the thanks of the Committee for their attendance, and so by their presence proving to the children that they were icing carefully watched and an interest was taken in their welfare; he pointed out that although they had only heard singing, ete. which showed great pains wore taken" in the instruction of the children, this was not all they were taught, since the great object of the teachers was torrender the girls useful in gaining thee own living hereafter. He was pleased to find many of the ladies had already inspected the needlework, which he had been in- bees formed was especially good and showed that the girls were accomplished, not in the ordinary senso of the word, but really 40, in being able to make garments useful to themselves, which, from his point of view, was better than knowing how to do embroidery and other ornamental' work. He read extracts from a letter of the Hon. Secretary, Birs, Hodges, to whom he paid high tribute for the careful manner in which she assisted the other ladies of the Committee in looking after the interests of the Home. Mrs. Hodges referred to the way in which Miss Mesny had superi tended the needlework, and to Mrs. Tennant for her care of the children generally, and to Miss Page for the careful training she had bestowed upon the children during hart time she had been at the Home. After this a musical drill was admirably gone through'by the girls, who had been most efficiently trained by Miss Tenn-ut, who had kindly given her services voluntarily for this p Ie is very certain that this Institution is deserving of general support and we hope the appeal made by Mr. Thorne for an increase in the annual subscription list may be favourably responded to. There was a large attendance of visitors present, who seemed to take great interest in the proceed lings. most interesting lecture, under the auspices of the Y. ME. A., was delivered at the Astor Hall on Friday evening by Mrs. Archibald Little. The lecture was illustrated by limelight pictures of views, scenes on the Upper Yangtze, taken by Mrs. Little herself. The Rev. W. P. Bentley presided and after he had made a short introductory speech, Mrs. Little conimeneed her lecture by disclaiming avy ability as a public entertainer or lecturer. Mrs. Little showed during the course of a lecture lasting close upon two hours, during which she kept the attention of the audience fairly enchained, that she pos-sosos exceptional abilities as a, lecturer. The first view shown was one of the bed of the Yangtze at Ichang, followed by a picture of the city of Ichang. Some splendid views of Ichang and its immediate environs were then shown, after which came some magnificent views of the Yangtze gorges, the sories being carried right up to the "Wild West," including several pictures of scenes of interest in Chungki and finishing with scenes on the overland route from Ichang. A vote of thanks, reposed by Mr. ud carried
Few of those who went on Friday had any Soclaraation, concluded the proceedings. idea beforehand what a very great treat they were to enjoy, and it is hoped that another opportunity will be provided for those who were not present to see these magnificent views, and hear the accompanying lecture.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.