Memories of home entwine our existence, even in the Far East. The merry chimes of St. Joseph's announced it was Christmas and out we went for a midnight ramble. The air was balmy for a Christmas night.
a short tine we reached the Church and found it packed with foreigners and natives and ablaze with lights. Awaiting the mass, the natives chanted their prayers and If unmelodious was the song, It was a hearty note and strong. midnight the service punctually began, Pore Rouxel, the Parish Priest, officiating, In the transept a special feature attracted attention: a stall with a babe, the Virgin and Joseph and two tiny angels nestling to the rear. The little scene was touching in the extreme and might tempt many a native artist. Towards the close of the ceremony numerous communicants thronged to the chancel and exhibited, so far ax externals go, a striking specimen of genuine piety. It was so often dinned into our ears that Church progress was no feature of the expiring century, hero it was the trary and we left edited and pondering over this marvellous phenomenon.
On Christmas morning we were told that masses began at the early hour of 6. The various units of the congrozation have each their appointed services, Thus there is one for the Chines at 8, another for the Germans at 9nd the last or more solemn one for the other nationalities, This on Christmas day, was announced us Pontifical, and attracted " very large and cosmopolite congregation. French, Germans, Russians, Tralinns, Austrians were strongly represented, British and American officers and bluejackets, the Madeas Sappers and the nunierous native element all stood side by side and worshipped at the same altar, Colour, caste, character, social standing and even politiext hostility disappeared, the Western and Oriental had fi a, swayed by the powerful and unifying infizenco" of religion. Bishop Eazts officiated, surrounded with the striking pomp of the Catholic ritual. In the midst of the ceremony His Lordship briefly addressed the crowd and his words were a splendid hymn of praise to the Saviour-Babe, who to the cottage as the crown Brought tidings of salvation down.
Theorchestra under Pdro Rouxel executed Cherubini's mass, originally composed for the coronation of Charles X at Reims, Owing to the numerous engagements of the season, we are informed that few rehearsals had taken place. The Public Band, however, did wonders, nor are the amateur artists and boys less worthy of praise, as each vied with the other in realising a remarkable success, We even venture to say that the orchestral and vocal rendering of this masterpiece as heard in Shanghai would even have pleased the maestro. If this mass is ever repented, and we think it should be, it would confer @ groat boon on those who enjoyed it on its first appearance.
Tho; Church decorations were exquisite, the sacro! building being hung through out in red arcade and evergreens, in the midst of which appeared mottoes and the Papal arms. Other Catholic churches in this city are equally attis'ic, but very likely are unknown to the pubic. Were they visited at Christmastide, we feel they would amply repay the religious-minded, the traveller and the artist.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.