After so many wet, depressing days, the morning of July Fourteenth dawned beautifully fine, and Saturday's celebrations of the French national day were carried through under ideal conditions. The whole French Concession was en fete; from one end of it to another were profuse decorations; and all Shanghai joined in marking the event.
The proceedings started with the salute to the flag at the Consulate, and following this innumerable functions took place.
The morning receptions began at the Municipal Hall, decorated with much taste for the occasion, where M. Wilden and his staff exchanged the compliments of the day with guests of all nationality ies, the attendance being very representative, officially and otherwise. The proceedings were of a very cordial and quite informal character, the toast of the day being simply honoured without speeches. Members of the Cercle Francis were afterwards at home to a very large party of visitors, and the usual hospitality was dispensed" M. clu Pao de Marsoulies proposed the toast of the day, M. Wilden and the Belgian Consul-General,*Mr. J. van Haute, responding.
AT THE CERCLE SPORTIF, 12.30 the French members of the Cercle Sportif Francais entertained another very large company of fellow members and their friends, and once more the proceedings were marked by the greatest cordiality. In the name of the Committee of the Club, M. Fane welcomed the guests, and went on to pay a tribute to M. Wilden. On a day when the thoughts of all French people were carried with such legitimate pride towards their distant home-Jand, it was pleasant to associate with the common mark of homage to France the man who had greatly contributed in Shanghai to the task of making his country loved and respected. They had for so long been accustomed to the good will of their foreign friends as not to be surprised at this day's display of sympathy. Addressing his compatriots, M. Fane said he rejoiced in seeing the fraternity which existed in their colony. The national day was par excellence one on which they liked to meet together and affirm their deep love of their country. On such an occasion they felt truly brothers, sons of the same blood, and' one feeling actuated them—the love of France (cheers).
The toast of France, with which the name of M. Wilden was coupled, was drunk with enthusi-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.