Rumour of course, is very rife as to the mext likely British Minister at Pexrva. A correspondent, whose letter we'printed j Some days ago,, suggested Mr. Erskine, our present Representative at Athens.
The name of Mr. Thornton, now H. M.'s Ambassador to Washington is also mentioned. But these are, of course, only rumours, and we merely give them as such.
From Hankow, we learn that the river is rising rapidly in consequence of the late heavy rain.
The Patent Slip, at the Foocnow arsonal, was successfully launched to its final position, on the 26th March. The old steamer Prince Kung has been wrecked on Crab Island, near Foochow. All the passengers were saved, with difficulty, but the ship and cargo are a total loss. We publish a deposition made by Mr. Dunn, passenger on board, describing the occurrence.
A meeting has been held at Hoxaxoxa, of the Union Insurance Company, at which a dividend of 500 per Share was resolved on. Messrs. H. Gibb and H. B. Lemann were elected Directors in the place of Messrs, Duncanson and W. Leman; and Messrs. Sassoon and Hitchcock were re-elected.
ACourt of Enquiry has been held at' Yoxouasta, before Admiral Rowan, into the circumstances attendant upon the loss of the U. S. Corvetto Oneida: The proceedings consisted of little more than 'a repetition' of the evidence given at the late enquiry by the survivors. Lieut. Yates, the officer in charge of the Oneida at the time of her loss, was acquitted from blame. At the close of the Court, it was determined to forward the evidence to Washington for consideration "by the Navy Department. The whole of the survivors of the wreck have left for Washington. A Court of enquiry has been also held on Captain Graham, for the loss of the Eliza Carry; but has acquitted him from blame, The vessel foundered at sea during a heavy gale, on the night of 19th January; all hands except the Master were lost. The Japanese treated him most kindly. The loss of the Bella from Cardiff to Yokohama, is also chronicled. A Court of enquiry has also been held on Captain Bowman, for the Joss of the Ocean Queen near Neegata, and decision censuring him for negligence, come to.
Yeppo is still disturbed by two-sworded rowdies, three of whom lately threatened 'M.de Bosquet; the Secretary of the French Legation; they slunk off, however, on view of his revolver. A report also reached Yo-kodama, on the evening of the steamer's departure, that Mr. Sheppard U. 8. Consul at Yeddo, had been murdered that morning, by renins. There was no time to Jearn details. A feeble attempt is chronided, at a run on the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. The Japan Herald says On Friday morning the counter was crowded with holders of its notes, demanding specie in payment. The run had evi. dently been brought about by the action of a few unprincipled speculators, who foresaw a chance of reaping gain from the confusion that was likely to ensue. Fortunately confidence was quickly restored, and we understand that none of the respectable traders either native or foreign believed the report. The action taken by the other Banks in the matter in endeavouring to allay the rumour, was' highly commendable. The amount withdrawn was very-inconsiderable.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.