'The first day passed off as a splendid success. Money was spent and taken, but the paying and receiving were carried out under' the happiest conditions. Over 39,000 dollars were taken, and the work of counting the money lasted until tivo o'clock on Friday morning. This obvious success—for there is no denying figures—was repeated on the second day. There was the same scene of colour, light and animation, and the same good-hearted attendance. The stalls and the side shows were freely patronised, the raffles were speculate in, and the shooting gallery found its ardent competitors. One of the greatest successes of the bazaar has undoubtedly been the entertainments in the Theatre of Varieties. Full houses have been attracted to every performance und Mr. G. R. Wingrove is to be congratulated on the general result. The variety entertain. ments, where laughter was long and hearty, were especially popular, as was only to be expected where such. excellent comedians gave assistance. The Tableana Vivants were a great success in another direction. They were given artistically and with excellent effect. "The Flower of the Family" and "Forbidden Fruit" were among the best of them, but it is almost invidious to point to particular excellence where the standard was so high.
The Funcy Fair Gazette, born but to dio when it had attained its groutest circulation, added to the gaiety of the occasion, and as on the first day its issues were at a premium, There was a delightful air of novelty about its whole production and distribution. Most of the contributions were advertisements, but more amusing than the average ran of trade announcements, whilst as regards poetry the resources seemed nigh inexhaustible, It was a good idea well carried out. It would be dificult to over-praise the devotion of the fair "'salesladies they never rested, they hardly ever sat down, and they work: ed literally from morning to night; traly have they deserved well of the Republic, and the Council should vote them all gold medals.
Tt was close upon two o'clock on Saturday morning when the last weary workers at the Fancy Fair, having counted their receipts and rejoiced at the good work accomplished; dismantled their stalls and stole away. It was then learned that about sixteen thousand dollars had been taken, excluding a comparatively small amount yet to come to hand from outside sources, Such a result must occasion a feeling of satisfaction amongst all in the east way responsible for'it. It is, moreover, " striking illustration of the innate commercialism in the feminine temperament. In the minor tactics of debit and credit Indies may not shine, but when it corns to the broad principles of disposing of their goods at a remunerative return they are incomparable, The events of Friday were in the main much like those of the opening day. During the afternoon and evening the place was thronged with visitors patronising the stalls, joining in lotteries, or attending the side shows" in the Theatre of Varieties. So it was again in the evening.
Somewhere about ten or eleven o'clock was decided to auction off what had not yet been sold, and the duty of doing this was undertaken by Mr. W. O, Murray. He visited each stall in turn and without reserve disposed of the balance of stock, Bven when these closing scenes were being enacted there was considerable crowd. enjoying the lively spectacle and obviously loth to leave it." But there must be wu end to everything—even to a Buzawr—and the end of this one came, as has been said, at an early hour on Saturday morning.' It will long be remembered in Shanghai—not. merely on account of its object and achievement, but also as a most delightful function reflecting the greatest credit on all associated with it. We cannot close without' a final' word of congratulation to the Committee, in which Mfrs. Seaman's name should have been included, to their unwearied Secretary, Miss Macleod, and the Treasurer Mr. Reith and the other gentlemen who gave such valuable assistance.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.