The local celebration of the French Nations! Fete must be written down a great success. Fine weather, large crows participants of miny nationalities, patrio tie enthusiasm, ant an attractive play of French power avd resources la this put of the Far East, combined to make it every way noteworthy and enjoyable. Everything passd off without a mishap, the review of troops on Saturday after: noon, the torchlight procession in the evening, and the receptions and spec making at the Consulate on Sunday, and we congratulate our French neighbours on the result of their efforts to make the occasion a memorable one.
Elaborate preparations were made in the way of decorations, and on Saturday morning the Bund was gay from end toend with fags and bunting. A. triumphal arch was erected at the entrance te the Settlement, and in its preparation quite a little forest of timber and groove y used, the work required for its evmpletion exten ling over " week. Long rows of bunting Deanched off behind on cither side, and from the lines taken across the road from pole to pole, phoed at equal distances apart, were suspended French flags and Japanese lanterns. The fect. produced was distinctly picturesque, and its spectacular attributes were enhanced by the brilliancy of the illuminations at night."
Long before the appointed hour o'clock in the afternoon—for the review of the French troops stationed in Shanghai by Rear Admiral Basle and the French Consul, M. Raterd, the footways on the Bund were crowded with foreigners and Chinese bent on seeing the march past. In front of the Consulate a stand had been erected for the use of guests and privilyed visitors, and it-was son occupied by a numerous company of ladies and gentlemen, amongst whom were M. and Mme, Ratard, the Taorai and his ost of the European Consuls and their wives, and all the leading members of the French Colony. There was also a large attendance of British, German, and Italian officers.
'The troops, drawa up in a long double ne, were strengthened by a company of marines from the Awiral Charuer, and a number of members of the French' Volunteer Corps were also present in uniform, although they did not take any actual part the procession, Lieutenant-Colonel Valette was in chief command, and he showed great capability in the management of his men.
A flourish of trampots announced the arrival of Rear Admiral Bayle who, accompanied by his staff of officers made' close inspection of the men, and afterwards took up his position to view the march past. The troops, whu divided into detachments at the word of command marched fal unison and showed no signs of igue from the trying heat. The marines with two guns, and carrying spades, axes, and other paraphernalia pertaining 60 their particular business, made a brave show. Much interest was also excited by the appearance of ths 52 Batterie d'Artil-lene de Montague, whose magnificent mules with the guas_strepped to their backs, and the Annamites in charge, were the principal. feature of the review. An excellent band played selections of music on the arrival and departure of visitors Uefore and after the review. At wedlock, M. Iutard formally the Club Franc is Ivor on in the evening there was torchlight p: ocession, illuminated Chinese lanterns on long piles supplying most of the light, some music, and a great deal of che.d entrust asin,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.