We have already, in reviewing the Customs Trade Returns, pointed to the enormous growth of the import trade of Chinkeang. Bat the Commissioner's report, now published, adds so much detail regarding the inland. trade, that we recur to the subject. 'The total value of the foreign import trade daring 1869, was 7ls. 5,269,000. OF this, opium contributed one half; cotton and wool len goods Tls. 1,675,000; and sugar, metals, and Straits' produce chiefly, the remainder. The effect of upsetting the squeezes formerly levied at_ the Hwei-rier, has had an effect on trade which must, one would think, convince even Chinese mand that light is, in the end, the wisest po-hey. Mr, Medhurst established the y of transit passes in this dise trict, in 1868, and we find the import of Grey Shirtings which, in 1867, had sly 45,000 pieces, sprang in 1869 to 415,000; and that of 'T-Cloths, vhich in 1867 had been 11,000, to 147,000 pieces, It is satisfactory, too, to learn that. the increase has been steady and continued, and represents a graually widening market. Mr. Kopsch xives a table of one hundred different plices, in thix and the neighbouring provinces, which draw their supplies from Chinkeang. The towns of Kiang-so naturally take the largest share; "the most important outlet being that port of the province which lies immediately south of the old Yellow River, and extends down along the sea coast towards the north bank of the Yangtze, This immense tract of country, though partially inundated every year, is nevertheless well populated to the North-wert, by agricultorists, and to the east, bordering on the sea, by a poor bat numerous people, engaged in the mauuficture of salt, the staple article of tive trade at Chinkeang. The inhahit ants of this vast plain have been supplied with an extraordinary quantity cheap cotton goods, which bid fai entirely supplant native cloth." province of Anwhei is also a large con-<nmer. For a time after the suppression of the rebellion, its wants were very meagre; but from the rapidly trade which is now xpriny is evident that it is recovering rabidly from the impoverishment caused by the civil war. Honan is also a customer; and 20,000 pieces of cotton foods found their way even into Shantang. It seems strange, at a first glance, that Chinkeang should supply 8 province which has a port of its own; but it is explained that the comparative expense and difficulty of Innd transport, across the mountainous country intervening between Chefoo "the South of Shantung,: have indueed some traders to resort to from which port they can. ods, during the sammer, entire distance by water. The
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