Pexixc does not seem to be the. only place where want of decision affects the interests of the foreign residents in China. After the energetic efforts made by the Shanghai com-inanity, in the formation of the various Volunteer Companies, we regret that we miss that vigour of action at the fountain-head, without which the good feeling of the individual members of the Corps will be of little avail.
With the exception of the work done in the first ten days of enthusiasm, the Defence Committee of the Municipal Council seems to have been content to rest on its oars, and to feel surprise at its temporary activity. In the first burst of energy which marked the calling together of the Volunteers, Snider Rifles were promised, and we have received and are thankful for them. Bat with this exception, the Committee have apparently done nothing. We have an Artillery Corps which has taken infinite pains to perfect itself in drill; bat which would have no more powerfal weapon of offence than ponies, had not public-spirited members of the community lent it four admirable guns, pending the acquisition by the Council of the weapons which it has promised. There may have been difficulty in deciding between the rival claims of the cannon which modern science has invented; and difficulty, perhaps, in getting those decided on. It is satis. factory to learn that two 12lb. howitzers have been at last ordered from Hongkong; bat we cannot consider these are adequate armament for the strong Artillery Corps which has been formed; and we hope to learn that two other guns, of larger calibre, are to be added to the battery. Then, as for defences pure and simple, they have been talked of, we are aware, over and over again; but beyond the talking and the submission of various schemes, some no doubt foolish, and others inthe present moment too extensive to be'immediately put in practice, fniply
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.