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E

SHANGHAI.

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seven miles. Another broad road, more recently constructed, runs by the side of the river for six miles. It is intended ultimately to extend it to Woosung. Several other roads have been proposed, but although foreigners are prepared to pay high prices for the land the opposition of the officials has hitherto prevented their construc- tion. At the time the Taipings approached Shangbai some roads for the passage of artillery were made by the British military authorities at the expense of the Chinese Government, one of them extending for seventeen miles into the country; but ex- cepting those close to the settlement they have now been turned into ploughed fields. An inland carriage road to Woosung, made at the expense of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. and others, has now also been reduced to a narrow footpath. The foreshore in front of the settlement has recently been raised, turfed and planted with shruls. The trees planted some years ago having now attained a good height, and several more imposing buildings having been completed, the English and French Bunds now form as magnificent a boulevard as any in the East.

Many foreign bouses, nearly all of them with several mow of garden ground, have been erected near the outside roads, especially on that leading to the Bubbling Well, which is the main outlet from the settle.nent, and from which most of the other roads branch off. This road and its extension to Sicawei is planted with trees on both sides, forming a fine avenue of over five miles in length. A small but well laid out and admirably kept Public Garden was formed about twelve years ago on land recovered from the river in front of the British Consulate.

Immense sums have been wasted in various attempts to drain the settlements, principally from the want of skilled direction; but the great difficulties in this matter, arising from the low lying and level nature of the ground, have now been fairly overcome. The settlements are well provided with telegraphic fire alarms. The water supply is at present obtained by means of buckets from the river, and is unfit for cooking or drinking purposes unless both boiled and filtered. The desire of the Municipal Councils to keep the monopoly in their own hands has hitherto prevented the inauguration of water works, but sanction was given in August last to a public company to establish the much needed works, which will shortly be commenced.

Shanghai can boast of several fine buildings of various and varied styles of architecture. Trinity Cathedral, erected from a design by Sr Gilbert Scott, is one of the finest specimens of modern ecclesiastical architecture to be found out of Europe, but, from want of fun ls, the tower and spire, which is an essential part of the design, has not yet been built. There is a Roman Catholic Church in the French Concession and another in Hongkew; also a Chapel belonging to the London Mission and one to the American Episcopalians, and a very pretty and prettily situated Seamen's Church at Pootung, besides several Mission Chapels for natives. The Shanghai Club occupies an extensive and elaborate building at one end of the English Bund. It cost Tis. 120,000, and at that is said to have ruiued three contractors. It has passed through a varied and peculiar history. There is a really fine Masonic Hall at the other end of the Bund. Amongst the other conspicuous buildings may be mentioned those occupied by the Oriental and Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporations. There is a very fair iheatre, but it is as yet devoid of internal decoration. The members of the German (Concordia) Club have also a handsome little Theatre attached to their premises. The principal buildings on the French Concession are the Municipal Hall and the Consulate.

Among the institutious of the place may be mentioned the Volunteer Defence Force, consisting of Cavalry, called "Mounted Rangers," Field Artillery, and Rifle Brigade, the latter comprising two companies. Originally formed in 1861 it gradu- ally went to decay, until the fear of attack after the Massacre at Tientsin in 1870 caused its revival with considerable vigour. It again unfortunately dwindled in numbers, but a recent effort to reorganise it has proved very successful. The Fire Brigade in 1879, which is entirely volunteer, consists of seven Engine and two Hook and Ladder Companies. It is pronounced to be the most efficient Brigade out of the United States. There is a Hospital for foreigners, the new and commodious building for which was completed in 1877, and several Hospitals for natives. The Temperance

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