Shanghai has seen its first community Christmas Tree and in spite of certain mechanical difficulties it was a very beautiful occasion. The Christmas spirit seemed localized at the Cricket Club last Friday afternoon when a considerable num-her of people were present.
The tree, ablaze with coloured lights, guided the crowd to the scene of festivities. Under the tree were piled great heaps of presents for the poor of the port—hampers of vegetables, roasts, bacon, a turkey, fruit, sweets, warm clothing, dolls and_ toys. These gifts were for distribution to such institutions as the King's Daughters', the Foreign Women's Home, Mme. Dietrich's Orphange for 35 Russian children, the Russian refugees at Woosung, the Door of Hope and others.
Trouble with the electric lights delayed the programme for an hour, but it was well worth waiting for. The Municipal Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. de Kryger began the programme with selections from the Christmas carols. Then, to the accompaniment of the hymn "It came upon the midnight clear" the vision angels with their trumpets appear-the roof of the club house, silhouetted against the evening sky in the rays of an electric spot light. It is interesting to note that Russians took the parts of the angels and the shepherds, through the cooperation of Mme. Grosse.
While the Community Chorus sang "Hark the Herald Angels," the pageant of Joseph leading the donkey on which Mary was seated passed across the stage. As "Little Town of Bethlehem" was sung, the curtain rose on the manger scene, Mary and Joseph in adoration of the Child hidden in the manger. The little sheep at the manger was the source of much joy to the children in the audience. While "The First Noel" was sung the Shepherds entered and paid homage to the Child. and later the Wise Men brought: their gifts. The tableaux closed with the repetition of the Vision of the Angels. The pictures were very well done, the poses well chosen, the costumes vividly Orient-a] and the general effect exceedingly impressive. The part of the Madonna was taken by Mrs. C. H. Lavers; Mr. George Fryer was Joseph; while the Three Wise Men were Mesdames R. I. Clapp, Roland Hudson, and Bernard. Mrs. Gardner Crane, Mr. Graham-Barrow, Mrs, A, H. Swan, and Miss M. Louise Loehr were in charge of the tableaux.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.