One of the great tests of the indomitable spirit typified by Shanghai is the way it reacts to traditional festivals and observances although conditions are adverse. Christmas is only two days away and in face of restrictions difficult enough to extinguish the normal spirit of celebration in other places, Shanghai seems none the worse. The premier period of festivity is now in progress, and although the show is not so elaborate or extravagant as in former years 4 brave attempt is being made to enjoy it. People may well complain of better days and larger resources for celebration but it cannot be denied that Shanghai residents are doing their best to extract from the festival everything it can yield. For nearly two years things in this city have been as bad as they could have possibly been, and as a mercantile community, deprived of that degree of profi able activity which entitles a resident to share of better things on occasions of relaxation, Shanghai faces a Christmas on—terms hitherto inexperienced in the city's long history. But this has not killed that feeling of humanity which rejoices when it can and scrapes up from accumulated resources the wherewithal to put on a gay and brave face although the atmosphere may be cloudy and dismal. This year the true spirit of Shanghai is being tested and is proving its worth. There Will be a generous observance of this Christian festival and. as the donations column of this journal are revealing, the tribulations of the community are not being forgotten in the contributions to the less fortunate from the thin purses which ordinarily do not suffice for one but in the face of other greater needs now manage to suffice for two. This is indeed the true Christmas sentiment.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.