One of the most humourous pieties in the last number. of Puck is: entitled "Oliver asking for more." The scene of course is taken from the novel: of Oliver Twist, but an application is made to the recent examination of dis. tinguished diplomats and-senior consuls before ' the Diplomatic and Consular Committee of Enquiry. In the sketch before us, Oliver is Sir Harry Parkes and Bumble John Bull. We are heartily glad to see such an enquiry set foot, for both services stand in urgent need of reforms; and if the suggestions of men like Her Majesty's representa tive at Yeddo are taken, there cane no doubt that improvements of a sub. stantial character will be made. We have before us the examination of Mr. Medhurst, and we confess that his recommendations seem to us' admirable. The reforms recommended are in almost every case such as common sense dictates, and we hope: they -will:'ibe speedily carried out. The first suggestion is that the Consul at Shanghai
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.