President, hitherto regarded as the catch of the season in national society orators, suffered a bad setback in his first sentence and gave additional encouragement to Mr. Hardman to drown, the Scots with his Irish wit. Mr. Macbeth introduced the senior guest as "President of St, Andrewe Society," and many valuable minutes went by in laughter, Recovering, Mr. Macbeth got some of his own ack by reminding his fellow-countrymen that Mr. Hardman was with them last year in a similar eapacity, but, "as good Irishmen are not particularly plentiful, we have him here again". "With Dr, Price It was much the same, for last year he was acting President of St. David's Soclety, and, as the Welsh national day was drawing near, all Scots would wish Dr. Price and his followers a very happy time and especially suc culent leeks, Mr, Watt the Society knew well and were highly apprecia-five of his efforts on their behalf, Mr, Hardman said that, as good Scotsmen, his hosts could not be ing anything away. They might of be asking for money, but at leash they would be wanting payment in ind. If payment they would have, xo be it, but the currency in which he would pay them was not what they would like it to be, for it was fon a rotten basis—"my own oratory", After a few more witty sallies, Mr. Wardman coneluded:—"Our's thie year will be an exceptionally good ball, If you want to be reminded of Si. Andrew's Day, you will have it with, four pipes, and T might. remind you that we have a greater delicacy with both our pipes and our whiskey. You thought we invited your President to tiffin just before the St. Andrew's Ball so that he would remember to invite plenty of Irishmen to that affair, Well, you have invited me just before St, Patrick's Ball, and the hint will be taken.
Dr. Price claimed to have no small association with Scotland, in that bad "tee good fortune to take a a gree in Edinburgh, which, as everyone knows, is the best medical school in the world."
Watt generously passed all credit for the excellence of last ye: decorations, despite the severe cut made in the allocation for them, 0 Mrs. B.D. F. Beith, and said he and all others would hope that she would be able to give similar assistance in future years, a sentiment which drew hearty "applause.
'The President also welcomed Mr. George Hogg back to Shanghai and voiced the members' hopes for plea-sunt holidays for Brig.-Gen. E, B. Macnaghten, Mr. A. ¥. Tait, and Mr. 'A. Pollock, who shortly will be going.
leave.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.