The U7th of March is a day shining glidly_on Irishmen, though the heavens fall, It is sot apart for the potent watering' of the memory of the typical Tri:—St. Patrick—who, it may be remembered, "was a gentleman." The operation is a pleasant one. Lime has not withered it, nor custom staled its infinite variety. St. Patrick's Day has a Incal significance as being the only day of the year on which the St. Patrick's Suciety throws off the grave and judicial air with which siders those necessitous cases which are brought to its notice, and pretrily beguiles the evening hours with speech gnd sons So it was on Saturday, when the Society gave a dinner at the Shanghai Club, to which the boundless hospitality of the members summoned a large number of guests, Mr. J, W. Harding, the President, was in the chair, the vice-chairs being occupied by Mr. 'J. H. O'Dowd, Hon. Secretary, and Mr. J. P. Donovan. 'The members and guests present included Dr. Morrison (Times correspondent xt Pekin; Dr. R. H. Cox, Dr, A. Stanley, De. Jackson, Capt. P. B,' Pattisson, Capt. Gratton, Lieut. Severn, and Messrs. J. W. Richurdson, A. H. G. Gilmore, A. MeTunes, Murray Adamson, J. O. BP. Bland, R. Parkes, A. H. Jamieson, G. V. Marshall, a. Riieke Shorrock, W, U. Lewi 7 Wolder, ET. Byrne, G. ©. Dew, P. Lo. Byrne, W. Fell, C. E, Sparke, E. ¥. D. Parr, ©. Biron, W. A. C. Platt, W. Nulbot, J.T, Hamilton, J. A. Sullivan,
Bishop, P, H, Purcell, G. H.'Purcell, E. Smalley, H- Jit, Tripp, Draper J. McDowell, McLaughlin, Byrne Hackett, Lindsay, and Kaye, 'Who dining-room had been decorated luvishly, and' with an estimable regard for detail." Hence, among other things, the formidable shillelagh which hung above the Chairman's head, and the parties which formed part of the scheme of table adornment. "The Queen" was the first toast, given from the chair, and then Mr, J. O'Dowd sounded a mild war-note in pro posing "The Navy, Army, and Reserve Forces," with an appreciative reference to the RoyalTrish Constabulary. The labour of reply was shared by Lieut. Severn, Captain Pattison, Mr. G. V. 'T. Marshall, Mr. J.0. P. Bland had 's froitfal theme in "The pious memory of St. Patrick," and expatiated deftly, the counterfeit presentment of the Saint looking down benignly the while. "Our Guests" disclosed Mr. J. P, Donovan as a ready and apt speaker, while De. Morrison, in reply, stimulated to fa refreshing Inughter. Captain Pattisson gave a signal for leaping glasses in his toast of The Ladies," and Dr. Cox replied with an appropriate diffidence. After this "The President" and The Secretary and Treasurer" were toasted and complimented, and the speeches came to an end. There were songs during the evening, received with a generous approval which sits well on Trishmen, and Auld Long Syne" Drought the proceedings to an end. The dinner was distinctly a success, and for one more year St. Patrick's memory is safe from neglect.
During the day telegraphic greetings were sent to Sir Robert Hart, at Peking, and Sir Thomas Jackson, at Hongkong, and at the dinner their acknowledgments and reciprocations were read amidst applause, Correspondence,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.