A fortnight or 30 ago, it seemed that Shanghai was' totally unaware of the near approach of Christmas, and that it did mot care very much anyway. The local "war," it appeared, had struck such a deadly blow at local business that even the most festive season. of the year would have no effect upon the trade fof Shanghai shopkeepers, Then mischievous spirit spread abroad. Those who had intended almost. ignore this Christmas threw. their depression to the winds, and began lo make arrangements "for merry gatherings at Yuletide, sumptuous Christmas fare, and exchanges presents, and determined to" make Christinas this year ax joyous possible.
The local shops ted the way this "back to the Christmas spirit" movement. Refusing 10 be deceived by the declarations of the Shanghai public that they could not afford to celebrate Christmas, that conditions gave no occasion for rejoicing, and that festivities were quite out of the question, they arranged special win dow displays, and temptingly "r= ranged their goods so as literally to suggest that they were there" ax potential Christmas presents,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.