Splendid Concert and Gay Party with Russian Volunteers Russian hospitality is so pronounced that it must have been only the fact of the limited accommodation of the huts in the compound of the Amoy Road Gaol which caused the Russian Company, S.V.C., to send out so few invitations to, their Christmas party on Saturday evening. Besides the members of the unit, their ladies, and a few other Russians, there were present only Col, W. F. L. Gordon, Capt. ECM, Barrett, Mr. M. 0.' Springfield, Mr. E. C. Baker, Mr. A, D. Bell, and perhaps a half-dozen others, one of whom was a member of the "North-China Daily News" staff who had a private invitation. Tt was an occasion to remember, and est, that enjoyable entertainments Shanghai has produced.
The Russian Company, which has done such very credit al fal work in uniform garding the entertaining abilities of its members, oF ise lacking in appreciation of thei pared with other local concert performers. Otherwise, surely before now they would have offered some concerts to the general public. If, ever they do, and the programme is anything like that of Saturday evening, then the public are urged to book every seat in the house, and they will be very exacting if they' do not agree that it was worth There was a difficulty, of course, in that the songs all were in Russian, but the music and the! singing were so charming, and the expression so clever, that one thoroughly could enjoy every item. There were occasions, indeed, when the production was so well done that the interpretation was obvious. This particularly was the case with the burlesque dancing of a veteran who one understood to be the Ca pany cook, and.who displayed a vigour and agility which the streaks of grey in his hair and beard did not suggest. Then, of course, there were items such as "The Volga Boat Song" which all could understand. "Much of the success of the concert undoubtedly was due to Mr. Mashin, that accomplished trainer: of choruses who already is an established favourite in nanghal.
The Company's songsters showed what was in their hearts with a very courteous tribute at the end of the. programme, when, rigidly at attention, they sang, in English, "God Save the King"—not only the. refrain, as sometimes we do ourselves, not only one verse, as we do on more formal occasions, but. the whole anthem, from beginning. to end.
After the concert, there was a royal "zakoushka" party in the! officers' mess, where hospitality ran riot, for no one ever can persuade a Russian that there are limits to eating or to the number of toasts man can pledge, and after that. the entire company gave themselves up to dancing in the men's mess ith all the vigorous gaiety that Particularly was old-time Russia's. Features of this were the mazurkas and other dances which none of the modern measures ever will oust.
The Russian Company wishes to express thanks to Mr. P. M. Lancaster, who collected the fund, and all those who subscribed to it, thus. enabling the members and ' their guests to have a far better time than would have been possible hi they been compelled to provide for it out of their own slender means.
'The Parks Department sent down' a giant Christmas Tree, which caused great delight to the children, whilst the presents off it brought, much joy into little hearts that have not much in these days over which jer incident in the day's proceedings had been an inspection of the Russian Company by Col. W-FIL. Gordon, at the Race Course. The men paraded under Capt. Thieme, practically at full strength, and were exceptionally well turned-out. Following the inspection, the Company marched past in coluran.
After reforming, the men listened a short address by Col. Gordon, {in which, speaking on behalf of the Municipal Council and for himself, he complimented them on their ap-[pearance and dul, but more partieu-Tarly for the fine work they have been doing in the last few months. He reminded them that, through their efforts, opium-smuggling and gun-running very largely had been checked, and in other ways they had greatly assisted the police and.earn fed the commendation of the authorities, Russian Scholars Treat The School for Poor Russian Children (Russian Orthodox. Confraternity School) situated at 56 Route Ghisi observed Russian Christmas on Sunday afternoon with a lively programme given by. children of the school at 4 o'clock.
The programme, which consisted of musical selections on stringed instruments, of songs and speeches by the pupils, was brought to a close by a jolly gathering around a big Christmas tree where gifts, representing the generosity of Shanghai people who are interested in the school, were passed out, 'A number of Shanghai residents, members of the Committee in charge of this work, and others interested in it, were present at the entertainment, Tt is of interest to note the great improvement over last year in the building which houses the school, a fine residence now making. possible less cramped and dingy quarters. There are seven rooms for use as classrooms, a large one which can be used for entertainments such Sunday's a spacious drawing] room and dormitories for the boy and girl boarders at the school.
At the present time there are 83 pupils, 56 of whom are boarding students, and out of the Inter number of boarders, 26 ure girl Eleven teachers look after their welfare, some of them residing at the school, In spite of the fact that only $12 are required per month for each child's food, lodging and instruction, the school is constantly, faced with the problem of making ends meet, It depends principally for funds upon the $100 contributed monthly by the Shanghai Race Club, on the Tls. 100 sent by the French Municipal Council and on monthly subscriptions by phil thropie foreigners here who realize the great need for providing educa tion for children of needy Russian! The Rotary Club has also been a "standby" to the school. Some of position to do so, and the result. must be necessarily' that the school should depend upon charity.
To the interested observer it is evident that great strides have been taken in the acquisition during the past year of the present res the French Concession as a house for the school, and those who are interested in paying a visit to see what is being done can be assured of explanations given by the teachers in charge.
Sunday's entertainment _w: preceded the day before by ist mas dinner at midday which teas donated by a Shanghai Teldont who prefers to remain annenymous.
Entertainment for Poor Children On Sunday night, the second. day of the Russian Christmas fes-rival, an entertainment was. given by pupils of the Ist Russian School, which is situated at 2 Kungping Road, the programme, planned by pupils and their rel tives, being presented in the Club of Russian Merchants at 14 Astor Road which had been lent for the occasion. The hall was decorated with streamers and greens and a large Christmas tree, beautifully dressed, stood in the centre.
A musical programme was given at the commencement of the entertainment, this being under the direction' of Maestro Mashin. Following songs and selections on musical instruments, the pupils of the preparatory and of the Ist Forms "presented three comedies. 'A ballet performance, entitled "Snowflakes," was next' given by children between seven and 10 years and this wag follamed by declamations by elder pupil Russian, English and French.
'When' the performance was over, 100 dinners were served to the Pupils and their poorest relatives (children only) which had _beon donated by Mr. F. W. Sutterie of the China Realty Ca. After dinner,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.