National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-07-15
GENT ~ SHlNGHtL.
The Brilliant Fireworks aud illumination in
His Honor.

His Honor.
John Russell Youngs Letter 10 n. Y. Herald
The whole town had been agog all day pre-.
pairing for the illumination, and as we strollcd
along the parade every house was in tho hands
Of workmen and Chinese artists There was
threat OF bad weather, but rs the sun went
down the ominous winds went with IT, and the
evening was perfect for all the ;;;;Tr5ses OF the
display. The two occasions when Shanghai
had exorted herself to welcome and honor
guest were on the visits of the Duke of Edin-
burgh and the Grand Duke Alexis. The dis
play in honor of General Grant far surpassed
these aud what made it so agreeable WAS tho
heartincss with which English, Americans,
French, Germans and Chinese all united.
had heard good deal during the day of what
Shanghai would do. But with the memory Of
many fctcs in many lands, fresh from the stu
pcudous demonstration in Canton felt skcpti-
cal as to what little European colony clinging
TO the fringe of u Chinese Empire could really
do in the way of n display. The dinner ut Mr..
Littlc's was over at liall-past nine, aud in COM
pany with Mr.. Little aud the General drove
along the whole river front. The scene as VIC
drove out into the open street WIS bowildering
in It's beauty. Wherever you looked was
blaze Of light and fire of rockets carecring in
the air, OF Roman light aud every variety Of
fire. The ships in the hafbOr were IL blaze of
color and looked MS If they were pieces of fire
works. The lines Of the masts tue rigging and
the hulls were traced in flames. Tho Mono
cacy WAS very beautiful, every line from the
bow to the topmast and anchor chain hung
with japanese lanterns. This graceful, blend
ing mass of color thrown upon the black even
ing sky was majestic aud gave you an idea of
beauty ia fire hitherto unknown TO us.
" Never before" says tho morning Journal
iorl prefer to take other authority than my
own in recording this dazzling scene" never
before has there been such blaze of gas aud
candles seen in Shanghai"
The trees in full foliage gave richer hue TO
the scenes and they seemed under the Soften
ing influence of the night and the fire to be n
part OF the fireworks. On the front of the
club house was ten-loot star in gas jests,
with the word "Welcomc.n There was the
United States coat of arms, with the initials
~. S. G." fankod with the words Soldier"
aud Statesman" Russell & Co. had II ten.
foot star, Welcome to Grant" and in nddi-
ton there were 1000 Chinese lanterns crossing
the whole building lighting the grounds and
swinging from the flagstaff. At the Central
Hotel was six-iOot st. Georges star, with ~.
5. g." At the French ST. Georges star, with
II sunburst on either side. The American con-
sulate was covered with lanterns, arranged TO
form sentences" Washington, Lincoln, Grant
three immortal Americans :" Grant will
win on this line If it takes all summer !" The
fame of Grant encircles the world = Grant
of the people, with the people, for the people"
there was also mammoth device In gas jets
fifty feet hiSS. welcome Grant-soldicr, hero,
statesman" The I.;ancse consulate, their
merchant, aud the offices Of the i.!If'"T COM
pany were covered with lanterns, 1000 ar
ranged in the most effective manner Tho AS
Tor House had this quotation from tho GEN
erals speech ut Hong Kong: "The perpetual
alliance of the two great English speaking ma
tions of the world" The English consulate
had multitude Of lanterns aud the word
Welcome" in n blazing gas jet. The Masonic
Hull was a mass of light. Jardine Matheson
Il Co. had lanterns arranged in st. Andrews
cross and II trumphal arch of fire.
These are, however, dry details, which re-
peat TO do justice TO those who took so much
pains TO do honor to the eX.Prcsdent. Mere
details give no idea of tho scene. Even moro
striking than the decorations was the multi
tudc. The Chinese like celebration, aud all
day the people had been pouring into the for
cign settlement from the old city and from
the country for miles around to see the show.
Here l am ut a loss for figures, but the Cen
erals own estimate Is perhaps the best In
answer TO II question hc said that there were
no less than 100000 persons within the range of
vision. As we drove slowly along the river
front wherever the eye rested it was upon
nasscd, silent. and immOvable throng, not like
our own rolling, impatient, needless crowds No
home, but silent, SOBER calm. At ten the Gen
eral returned to the house of Mr. Cameron,
and from there reviewed the iremen's process
sion. Each engine was preceded by band,
which played American airs; aud it gave one
feeling of homesickncss and recalled the great
days of trial and sacrifice to hear the strains Of
"John Brown" mud " Shcrman's March
Through Georgia." After the procession passed
aud repasscd there was n reception in Mr.. Cam
eron's house and at midnight the General
drove home to the consulate. So came to an
end q wonderful day--onc Of tho most Won
around the world.