On Wednesday night St:-Andrew, after a residence of many years on the north side of the Soochow Creek, migrated to Hongkew, and thither his ' votaries—western dancing dervishes—followed' him in broughams and jinricsha, and on foot, and there for many hours they kept up his worship, with music and feasting. The Saint himself, ye-painted and sith a light behind him, looked out from the end of the New Astor Hall, on the gayest and brightest scene in the annals of Shanghai. The Hall itself, of which the Caledonian Ball on Wednesday was the inauguration, is a very handsome room with a height of some 30 feet, with a pretty stage at one end, the dancing floor being 100 by 43 feet. It is agreeably decorated, and there were hung between the windows the shields of the different clans, while trophies of palm leaves and flowers, and wreaths of evergreens, added to the effect. It was fairly well lighted with gas, and the only possible improvement in the Hull itself would have been the substitution of electric lighting. On the stage, which was backed with a very pretty scene, and had a fountain in the centre, many of those who were not dancing assembled, and they looked down upon @ most brilliant spectacle. There were at least seven hundred people, hosts and guests, in the Hall together, some two hundred and fifty being ladies in bright and pretty frocks of all colours, with which were mingled about a dozen Kilts, the uniforms of numberless naval officers, including the English and American Admirals, volunteers and firemen, the black and white costumes of the civilians Doing a relief to the glancing flashes of colour. The floor was excellent and the dancing spirited. From the back of the stage @ staircase led up to a galle outside the east wall of the hall, into whic its clerestory windows opened, and each of these windows became a little private box, from which the spectators could gaze on the bright scene below. This gallery led into the musie gallery at the south end of the Hall, where Mr. Vela conducted the town band in the execution of the following programme 1. Waltz—Ange d'Amour 2. Gaiop—The Postillion 3. Lancers—Erminie 4. Waltz—For You 5. Reel Waltz—La Toscana Caledoni ranged by M.
Waltz—Ever and Ever Mine. Coote, Highland Fling.
March by the Pipers.
Sapper (3: Highland Schottische 1, Waltz—Dans tes Yeux
Dances Polke 3. Waltz—oral 9. Galop—Stanley 10. Reel...
Dancing in the Barn Parner. 12. Caledonians Arranged by M, Vela. 13, Waltz—Love's Golden Dream Bonheur. 14. Highland Schottische 0.00 15, Polka—Chappies wFare, 16. Waltz—La Creole Fare, Below the whispering gallery, as it was called, was " corridor, provided with seats, leading into the smoking and card room, large room in which thirst was quenched while opposite the Hall itself was a smaller room draped with flags, im which light refreshments were ser Mr. Jansen, the proprietor of the Astor House, and Mr. Arthur, his manager, had been indefatigable in their efforts to secure the comfort of all who came to the hall, and the only drawback was that this room and the corridor were somewhat cold, while the large amount of gas consumed made the Hall itself somewhat warm. As far as the dancing was concerned, however, it was undoubtedly one of the best, as well as being the largest, of the numerous large balls that have been given in Shanghai. Three pipers inspired the Scottish danees. The supper and the attendatice were not quite up to the standard. that has been attained at former events of the kind, but then we have learnt to become critical; and there was no one who did not praise the wines, for which our leading wine merchants, whom it is unnecessary to name, were responsible. It must be remembered, too, if any shortcomings in the environments of the hall were noticed, that it was the first: time so important a function had been given.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.