Big Gathering Challenges Depression: Gay Scenes at St. Andrew's Society Ball Heavy rain for the greater part of the morning on Saturday did not sue-ceed in damping the spirits of the Scottish community in Shanghai, nor:
preventing the programme for St. Andrew's Day from being carried out to the full. Suitably preceded by the successful Caledonian Ball held the previous evening. St. Andrew's! Day commenced with the usual cere-_ many at the Cenotaph, where wreaths were laid in memory of those Scots who were killed in the War.
The Handicap, as reported elsewhere in this Issue. was won by Mr. 5. 0, Pote-Hunt, on Grayeo.
When the whole world was sad, British soldiers of all degrees and nationalities, Home and Colonial, wet and cold. smothered in mud, sometimes short of rations, roared in uni wp your troubles in your old way jingle and smiled, whatever the Outlook. Shanghai Scots evidently have adopted the same idea, Two years ago, prior to their annual Ball, were strongly criticized for refusing to be miserable and parsimony fous in harmony with the depression, but they held their great annual function, and, with the genius of thole made almost a record. profit and largely depression.
Thereafter, the pipers played several pieces whilst the gueste were assembling, and also. later provided the music for the reels. The scenes in the ballroom were as gay as ever, the tartan kilts of many clans. naval, military, and other uniforms on the men mingling with the bright dresses of the ladies to form a kaleidoscope of colour.
With supper came the ancient. custom of doing formal honours to the Haggis. With Pipe-Major Well-sted leading the way. the famous dish was carried head high by Mr.
Mills. Behind, on guard. marched Mr. A. Pollock with drawn claymore, then Mr. H. I. Strachan flourishing two bottles of whiskey, and, bringing up the rear, Capt. T.'W. R. Wilson with officers and men of the Shanghai Secttish carrying the gigantic snuftmull and the smaller horns. Parad-
Ing through all the rooms and cor-riders, enthusiastically cheered their way, they came to a halt at the President's table. where Mr. Macgregor plunged his dirk into the historic delicacy, and the Pipe-Major emptied hhis quaich to the customary toast.
Dancing continued, with ever-increasing zest, until a.m, and it was with difficulty: even then' that the last of the guests was persuaded to et a wink or two of sleep before the Ewo Handicap,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.