We cannot help thinking the Chinese Government has taken o somewhat premature step in dismissing its foreign employes at the Foochow Arsenal; that is, of course, presuming that it is its intention to maintain that establishment in efficient working. At the same time, it is right to add that towards the individuals concerned it has acted with liberality, and that M. Giquel's staff leave their quarters with every reason to speak well of the Government in whose service they have been employed. There is no doubt that, in the long run, this policy is both good and sound financially, and that the Chinese Government will be able to obtain, should it require them in the future, the services of efficient and useful men. With regard to the Arsenal (or rather Dockyard) itself, it is in its present condition a model establishment. Expense has not been spared on the machinery or buildings, and it contains every appliance needed for the-successful building of men-of-war—from the chronometer shop toa 14ton steam hammer now being erected in connection with a large rolling mill. M. Giquel's talents as an administrator have been amply proved in the: perfection to which each department has arrived under his general superintendence.
The Chinese Government having then at Foochow a dockyard, and appliances for turning out ships or iron work of every description, it may not be amiss to ask to what practical use an establish-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.