Thursday was speech day at Medhurst College, in connection with the London Missionary Society, and at 5 p.m. the place wore quite a lively aspect, many foreign and Chinese friends having assembled to do honour to the occasion. After refreshments had been served, the gnesta gathered in the College hall, which had been tastefully decorated with many tings. The head master, the Rev. H. L. W. Bevan, M.A. was in the chair, and on the platform were the Rev. A. J. Walker, Dr. Gillison, Mfr. Sheldon Ridge, B.A., Mr, Dobson, Mr, Boyers and Chinese teachers connected with the College. Mr. Dowie presided at the don, Lsertes, on setting out for his Travels," was recited in a very creditable manner by Nyi Kyih-zung. This was followed by an essay in English by Chen Yang ngoo on "A Comparison between Western and Chinese Learning," which was listened to with close attention and greatly appreciated by the foreigners present.
The head master then proceeded to distribute the prizes, of which there were 8 considerable number. Before doing 80, however, he made graceful mention of several friends who were with them on the similar occasion last year, but who were. not now present. He' specially mentioned Mr. Bitton now at home, who had bad so much to do with the school, and the late Dr. J. Eakins. He also expressed his warm thanks for the loyal ce-operation of all his colleagues in the work of the school during the year.
After the distribution of the prizes, the Rev. E. Box proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman and other friends who were prosont, which was suitably responded. to by Me. Walker and accompanied by three rousing cheers from the boys. The master then offered a brief prayer and the proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of the Doxology and the pronouncing of the benediction. organ.
The proceedings commenced with the singing of a Chinese hymn by the scholars, of whom there are seventy-two, ing boarders and twelve. day After Dr. Gillison had offered prayer one of the scholars read part of fan essay in Chinese, which was followed by theainging of the byron in English, think when I road that sweet story of old," by eight of the junior boys. This was rendered in a very pathetic manner, and Mrs, Bevan, who instructed the boys, la to be congratulated on the result of her work, The English recitation "Santa Filomena," which followed, was very effectively given by Chen Yang-ngoo.
The Rev. A. J. Walker then gai very practical and earnest address, which was listened to with the closest attention. Ho congratulated the scholars that the and of the form had arrived and emphasised the fact that it was always a pleasure to. look back on something that had been accomplish: ed. He did not suppose that they had: all been able to secure prizes, ut since the commencement of the term they had all lived several months longer—had all, added some months to their live which was very important thing te have done, " They should ask these whether they were any better for these months? Of course they all knew something not known before. What were they going to do with their learning? Not, he hoped, simply to get money, but that they might be stronger, better men, that they might not only think of them-parents who, perhaps, lad denied themselves in order that th ians, for then only would' they be able to develop into truly wise and good mon. Ho instanced Japan wonderful example of what had deen accomplished in the way of pr and concluded. by exhorting them li to po that they might grow better add to their knowledge as much as p
and better, and become wise, good men when they left school and went out into the world.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.