Fukien, rts with respect to the abso-Into necessity for (improved) muskets and cannon in case of disturbances. Inasinuch as the percussion rifles made by foreigners are of great excellence, such weapons have for some years been purchased. But merely purchasing them does not teach how to manufacture them, and therefore the naval and military forces throughout the provinees are not by any means sufficiently supplied with these arms. To meet the want the Viceroy while on the one hand buying for present need has on the other opened an arsenal. Last year in the eleventh month the Treasurer and Intendant at the head of the Fukien Committee of Safety sent a wei yuan to Canton to buy twenty-horse power steam engine, with steel and iron instruments as required, and to bring them to Fukien. A suitable place has been selected and a building will be raised to be used as a manufactory. Workmen skilled in the necessary branches will be obtained from Shanghai and Hongkong. There is a brevet-colonel named Lai Chang who professes to know all about the manufacture of arms, A former licutenant-governor of Fukien, by name Pien Pao-ti ascertained that Lai Chang did really understand the mannéacture of aus-kets, cannon and breech-loaders, (@iks) so that he could turn them out quite equal to those of foreign construction, Lhe Viceroy thinks of placing Lai Chang in charge of the new arvensl." There is also a certain expectant prefect, by name Huang Wei- hswe* who is lost reliable and talented. {t is proposed to associate him with Lai Chang in the management, and to provide workmen and mee according to the requisitions they may make. More steatn-power will he necessary. The monthly expenditure Il be mict out of the customs dues and li-kin, Inasmuch as the enterprise is a perfectly new one, the Viceroy is unable to follow the recognised custom and vive an_ estimate of the expen diture, but for all that, the thing must be done.' Accurate accounts will be kept, a person being specially appointed to look after them. "(Peking Gusette—Cyele.)
SYEMEPE. ras mn vas a wer in the Evglinh Coweinte at Nngpo fom 16.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.