A Display of Patriotic Bunting was for the first time in the history of Shanghai, and we may with truth also say of China, shown yesterday on king Road in honour of the 32nd_ birthday anniversary of H.1.M. Kuang Hsi. From the roofs, windows and verandahs of sll the jrincipsl native shops flew the yellow fix with its blue dragon, while many of them were drop-d as to the eaves with yards of red, and in some instances, yellow silk, before which also hung richly Gecorated square-shaped glass lanterns. Hitherto the birthday anniversaries of the sovereigns of China have been celebrated only at the yamens of the officials of each city, only th" entrance gates being draped with red calico, with " few square-shaped wood-frame lanterns hung in a under the eaves, The officials assemble before daybreak at the Imperial temple, called Wanshou Kung—every city in the Empire has one—on the morning of the Emperor's birthday, and there before a tablet bearing the name of the Emperor—at this time there is also a tablet of the Empr-s Dowager—they prostrate themselves in the same manner as if his Majesty were present in person. This done, the principal mandarin of the plice gives a day is observed as a holiday, while the
ianer in his yamen to all rhe officials under him, accompanied generally with theatricals, Some of the principal gentry of the place may be invited to the entertainment, but the masses do nothing in the way of celebrating their Rmperor's birthday. The patriotic example shown by foreigners on the birthday anniversaries of their sovereigns has touched enlightened Chinese in Shanguai, and an opposi was the other day made to the local native merchants in the settlements and the native city and suburbs calling upon all to show their loyalty to their Emperor in a manner fitting the present occasion, with the result that Nanking and other roads has come out strong with the dragon flag, etc., while a subscription dinner with theatricals, at Chang Ssu-ho's gardens yesterday afternoon and evening in honour of the occasion, was participated by several hundred of the gentry and merchants of the native city and foreign settlements. The local mandarins were entertained in the Taotai's yamen.
2nt Aug.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.