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essentially Chinese. Its outstanding feature was the floral adornment. Baskets of flowers hung from the roof, the front of the
gallery was festooned with greenery, bat most striking was the large figure of a bat, done in beautiful silk which was suspended midway between ceiling and floor in a flying -position, with distended wings. As the word bat" in the Chinese language possesses the same sound as the word "prosperity,' the pun is always perpetrated at Chinese dinners by the representation of the flying mammal as an expression that all present may enjoy prosperity. This good wish was further symbolised by the gold coins which were hung from the flower baskets underneath. The stage itself was decorated with specimens of the Oriental art in silk, these containing loyal expressions in Chinese characters. Overhead were appropriately placed the Union Jack and the dragon flag of China. Facing the stage was a wealth of flowers extending from the gallery. to the ceiling. On this was picked out in chrysanthemums the word "Welcome," the letters being five feet in height. Below this was a magnificent soroll, 20 feet by 14 feet, in maroon satin. It was beautifully embroi- dered, and its intrinsic valne-apart from the kind sentiments it expressed towards the Royal guest and the hope that business would flourish between Great Britain and China→ may be inferred from the fact that it was insured that night for $500. As is customary at official Chinese dinners, the tables were hung with red cloth, a mark of respect to the guest, and the national aspect of the function was further shown by the blackwood chairs which were used. The theatre, which presented & pleasing picture both in daylight and gaslight, was illuminated for the occasion by acetyline.
His Royal Highness and the Governor entered at a quarter to eight, being received by the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai and the Reception Committee, at the head of whom was the Hon Mr. A. W. Brewin. They were escorted to their places in front of the scroll already mentioned, and the large company of about 100 Europeans and 200 Chinese took their seats,
Those invited were:-H. R. H. Prince Arthur of Connaught, Lord Redesdale, General Sir T. Kelly-Kenny, Admiral Sir Edward Seymour, Captain Wyndham, Colonel Arthur Davidson, Mr. M. W. Lampson, H.E. Sir Matthew Nathan, Captain Arbuthnot Leslie, Captain C. H. Coleman, Mr. R. A. Ponsonby, Captain H. W. Smith, H E. Major-General V. Hatton, Captain Ward, A.D.C., HE. Sir Gerard Noel. Lieutenant Burton, Messrs. C. E Anton, E. F. Ancott, G. Murray Bain, Sir H. Berk-ley, Messrs. C. E. H. Beavis, Hon. Mr. A. W. Brewin, Hon. Captain Barnes-Lawrence, Messrs, F. J. Badeley, J. Dyer Ball, General Bragg, Bologorvskey, H. F. Butterworth, D.E, Brown, Mesars, A. Babington, L. Berindoague. W. D. Braidwood, J. Barton, Hon. Mr. W. Chatham, Sir C. P. Chater, C.M.G., Dr. F. W. Clark: Messrs. W. A. Cruickshank, J. Me Cubbin, G. de Champeaux, T. P. ochrane, H. F. Campbell, A. Cunningham, Hon. Mr. C. W. Dickson, Lt. Col. Darling, B.R., Messrs. Haver Droeze, W. Danby, V. H. Deacon, L. Engel, C, Ewers, A. Forbes, E. Frvyvogel, A. Ğ. M. Fletcher, J. E. Gregson, E. Goetz, Dr. Gimlette, Messrs. A. G. Gordan, F. A Hazeland, H. Humphreys, A. Shelton Hooper. A. Haupt, R. Henderson, B. B. Harker, G. M. Hastings, Dr. G. H. M. Harston, Messrs. T. Hanman, E. A. Hewett, F. A. Irving, Lt. Col. Jo·ling, Dr. Jordan, Messrs. J. Johnstone, J. A. Jupp, Lt.-Col Kent, Dr. W. V. M. Kock, Dr. Kruger, Messrs. E. S. Kadoorie, E. Kadoorie, W. Kien, S. A Levy, D. R. Law, Captain Lyons, M. Liebert, C. R. Lebźшann, A. R. Linton, C. D. Melbourne, G H Medhurst, F. Maitland, A. P. Marty, G. C. Mokou, H. N. Mody, G. Moffatt, 4.. J. May, Di. 0. Marriott, Dr. J. Mowatt, Messrs. M. Noms, Captain Ommaney, E. Osborne, Hon, Mr. H. E. Follock, K.C., Lt. Col. Price, W. R. MD. Parr, Sir Francis Piggott, Dr. W. W. Pearse, Messra. J. C. Peter, H. Pinckney, N. Post, A. G. Romano, A. R. Rennie. W. R. Robertson, N. H Rutherford, A. Rodger, Hou. Mr. R. Shewan, Hon. Mr. Gershom Stewart, Messrs, JR. M. Smith, Hon. Mr. T. Sercombe Smith. Captain Savory, R.N., Messrs. E. Shellim, E. H. Sharp, K.C., A. Seth, H. W. Slade, S. Silver
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
stone, F. Salinger, N. A. Siebs, Hugo Suter, W. J. aunders, Dr. Stedman, D. H. Silas Messrs. A. G Somerville, S. D. Sétas, A. Brooke Smith, A. G. Stokes, J. Gray Scott, Hon. Mr. A. M. Thomson, Dr. J. C. Thomson, Messrs. C. H. Thompson, Z. Volpicelli, G. T. Veitch, J. Y. V. Vernon, Commodore Powell Williams, Commodore's Secretary, Messrs. P. P J. Wodehouse. His Honour Mr. Justice Wise, Dr. G. H. Bateson Wright, G. A. Woodcock, A. G. Wood, Wm. Wilson, H. P. White, J. A. Young and representatives of the Press. The Hon. Dr. Ho Kai presided, but the duties of the position were not exacting. There were, of course, no toasts, though an exception was made when he invited the company to drink to the King and the Prince. The tables were so arranged that those seated at them could com- mand a view of the Prince and of the stage. As each table had a Chinese host the guests were well looked after and enabled to appreciate the events that were taking place. Subjoined is the
MENU.
Shark's Fins.
Pigeon Eggs and Spinach. Fillets of Garoupa. Stewed Lichen. Minced Quail and Lettuce. Crab Rolls.
Hashed Chicken and Walnuts, Roast Teal.
Pigeon and Bamboo Shoots. Fried Chicken. Roast Sucking Pig, Bird's Nest in Syrup.
SWEETS.
Cocoanut Cake. Water Chestnut Padding.
DESSERT.
Lotus Seed, Ginger, Dates, Kamquat, Apricots, Lichees, Almonds, Melon Seeds, Oranges, Bananas, Pears, Pumeloes,
TEA.
Water Fairy, Tragon Well.
White Head and Congou Tes.
The banquet was typically Chinese and not unnaturally some amusement was caused by the visitors' attempts to handle the chop sticks. Still all went well. The catering of Chui Hang-lau was pronounced a success, and Mr. F. White, on behalf of Messrs. Caldbeck, MacGregor and Co., who supplied the liquor, was assiduous in the discharge of his duties.
The Banquet Committee, whose arrangements, were thoroughly complete, was composed of the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, Hon Mr. Wei Yuk, Messrs. Fung Wa-chuo, Lau Chu-Pak, Ho Fook, Chau Sin-ki, Chan Kang-yu, Chan Lok-chun, Tong Cai-chun, Wong Fa-nang, Sin Chin, Tang Chi-Ngon, Lung Ngn-pun, Chan Pui-ki, Chu Chi-king, Pan Yan-chun, Sha Po-shum, Choi Kwai-ng, Mck Cha-chun, Chan Sui Pak, Li Pak, Ng Li-hing, Wong La-chuu, and others.
Daring the dinner a play was enacted illustrative of Chinese life 500 years ago. The performers were Lilliputian artistes from the Nam Kok Theatrical Company, specially engaged for the occasion, and the acrobatic feats which were introduced evoked frequent applause.
At about 10.20 the Prince and party took their departure, His Royal Highness shaking warmly by the hand the members of the committee, who lined up at the exit. Then the other guests followed after baying expressed to their hosts their appreciation of the evening's entertainment.
His Royal Highness returned along the Prays to view the illuminations and subse quently proceeded to the Parade Ground, where the Baluchi and Khattak dance was to take place.
THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE.
The stage play begua during the banquet was continued from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. During the interval between the second and third hets the tables had been removed, and the theatre was filled by a large audience which included many European guests. The first act of the play showed the kings of six petty states, all of whom paid tribute to Chius, deliberating as to the advisability of appointing a minister to the Court of China who would represent their common interests. They apply to the Emperor, who agrees to their request, and a Prime Minister to represent their united
[February 19, 1906.
interests is appointed. In determined by scholarly attainme ed the height of human ambition Chinese. The second not dealt with the of a notorious rebal leader, by the loyal officers of the Chinese Government, The third act based on the suppression of a frontier rebellion, being made interesting by a series of defents and successes.
[
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THE KHATTAK DANCES.
A matshed circus had been erected on the Parade Ground, in the shape of a horse-shor, The two ends impinged on the retaining wall of the Cathedral Compound, and a platform on- the embankment thereof accommodated the Prince, the Governor, and a large company of the élite. The amphitheatre was crowded with the rank and file of society. In the centre bonfire of wood blazed, periodically exhilarated by libations of kerosene, the subtle odour of which appealed to every nose within reach. The circumference of the arena was punctuated by flambeaux, which also owed their sustained luminosity to the same cdorons agency. There was a long wait before the band abruptly left "The Broken Melody" ad played the opening bars of the National Anthem; but soon after that strains very much reminis cent of "Caledonia stern and wild" wore heard, and a mob of turbanned and sbirted murderers of music marched swiftly round the ring, caterwauling and "tom-tom-ing." Fragments of " Cock o' the North" and the Belfast Schottische alternated with jungle ories of the most ear-splitting and heart-breaking nature. Suddenly a portion of this mob hurried out, leaving four whose "music" dimintiendo'd to a plaintive wailing and throbbing. A horde of Indians poured in, and with wildly waving arms danced slowly round the bonfire, genuflecting towards it, whirling like drunken teetotums, and sometimes howling in chorus and striking the earth with their palms. Many of them had flowers and garlands adorning their headgear. They gave place to a different and still more Oriental looking crowd, whose nasal organs without exception might have been cast in one mould. There were four entrances and exits, the dance in each case being very similar, but on the final appearances the men carried naked swords, which they brandished in a most alarming manner, sometimes (by accident) clash- ing with their neighbours. The final figure was done by a few selected swordsmen who ran in with a sword in each hand, and kneeling with their faces to the Royal guest, gave a fine display of wrist work. The whole spectacle might have been more weird and barbaric than it was, but for some little features which prevented the play of imagination. The later performers were bare footed: their predecessors wore a conspicuous mixture of footgear, ranging from very large white tennis shoes to army boots of equally generous dimensions. In the fitful light, it might have been easy to imagine that the scene was situated somewhere among Bagheera's hills; that these men were working up a fanatio frenzy preparatory to a tribal foray; but alas, the prosaic sight of a kerosene can and two unnecessary European officers in the middle of things choked off romance, and made the final impression one of meretriciousness.
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THE PRINCE'S THANKS, The following correspondence explains itself:
Government House, Hongkong,
11th, February 1906. SIR,I am directed to enclose a copy of a letter which it has given the Governor much pleasure to receive from Colonel Arthur David- son, C.V.O., C.B, Equerry to His Majesty the King, and which His Excellency thinks will give equal pleasure to the readers of the Hong- Kong Daily Press.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant, dupe,
R. A. B. PONSONBY.MES
Private Secretary.
Hongkong, February 11th, 1906. Dear Sir Matthew,—I am directed by Prince Arthur of Connaught to ask you to convey to all the residents of Hongkong the expression of his admiration and appreciation of the illumina- tious displayed last night—an account of which His Royal Highness will duly report to his Majesty the King.
His Royal Highness was greatly struck with the wonderfully fine and comprehensive saffect
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