Tae immense animal spirits and the strong sarcastic power that distin. gash all Mr. Ross Browne's writings, Ere conspicuous in his second instal: ment of the series of papers entitled "Under the Dragoon's Footstool" which appears in the Overland Monthly for March; indeed we almost fear that the element of satire is allowed here and there to assume an undue prominence, and that Br. Browno's Sxaberant humour and abundant irony will be considered by many persona prima facie evidence against him. There {sa strong impression in political circles that arguments, "like ballets, should be east in lead to do the surest service," and many readers are enamoured of duluess, from a subtle but uoquestionable law of affinity and sympathy. For our own part, we must confess that we have very sincerely and heartily enjoyed the perusal of this second article. Take, as an example, the following exquisite description of the personnel of the Embassy that of the embassy from the Court of Pekin Témy retinue was less imposing than
to the Western Pawers,, there was at least a republican simplicity about it that could not fail to make a favourable inn pression upon a people who had furnished the Unit of States wath the frst practical example of Sdemocratic form of goverment. "The high offices of Sub-Secretaries, Marshals, Ushers, Court Trumpeters and Guards wore centered in my own person. The supernumoranes consisted chiefly of my family, the had already enjoyed some. foreign ex periences in Gerniany and Italy, and now Wished to extend their researches into Asia."
The description of the journey from Tientsin to Peking is very amusing, and fall of lively sketches of character. We have been accustomed to hear, and we partly believe it thatthe change in the ato Ainister's view of the condition of China dated from his jolting over the rough stones that form the pavement of ample justice is done to the hideous and the Imperial highway. Atal events,
semi-barbaric surroundings of the Cay tal; and the implication that such a tate of things as" we find around and about Peking speaks volumes against the system of which it is the acknowledged centre, is very distinct. The moat amusing norap of word painting, how-over, is the neat description of Prince Kung. As most of our renders have heard of this gentleman until. they pro-ably nauseate the combination of let. ters that forms-his name, and yet have no distinct notion of appearance, transcribe the portrait man, about forty-two years of age; with "The Prince is a dissipated-looking
sardonic, scowling expression of countenance, conspicuous for ugliness. His mouth is coarse and sensual; his nose broad and thick, and his eyes prominent, coming out ren with his brows, which are nearly destitute of hair. His dress is very plain," Jong gown in the usual Mandarin style, with the distinctive button on hiseap, and no noticeable ornament of any ind on his person. His manners are free and easy not to say coarse—rather indicating half savage presumption, than the polite self-depreciation characteristic of the high o cials generally in China. His voice is unpleasant, and his manner of speaking sharp and chopping. He blurts out his sentences as if they were fired from a pop-gun. The Prince, however, is rather rough and ignorant than ill-natured. In Peking he is not regarded either among the Foreign Legations or his own people as a man of intellect; and but little regard is paid to his views on any public question."
The gem of the article, however, is the parable with which it concludes Charles Reade tells a story about a female elephant called Djek, a wonderfally intelligent animal, that waa "exhibited many years ago in the "principal cities of Europe. Made-moselle Djek was the personification of docility. The public were charmed with her performances. She had a pernicious habit, however, of pickle, "up an employe now and then begin the scenes and dashing him against the wall with her proboscis, erunch-"ing him into a mummy in her mouth, or stamping him to death under her "feet. Sometimes the.crowd, overhear-"ing the cries of the unfortunate vic-"tim or catching sight of the muti-"ated body, would become excited, "besiege the doors and demand that "the brate should be put to death. "The owner, alarmed for the safety of "his property, would say to the "contractor who exhibited her, 'Tell "them be used her cruel—I have brongitt her off with that before now.'
The parallel seems to mo "conclusive. No sooner isa foreign "merchant or missionary murdered in "China by a vathless mob, under the "direction of the ruling classes, than sympathetic theorists at home, overflowing with sentiments of humanity, "are ready to exclaim; 'Served him "right! He used her cruel.'
This is an admirable bit of satire, and represents in a way that cannot be mistaken or fyrgolten, the tendency of the doctrinaire mind, in matters ro-lating to China. We only wish that Mr. s Browne would be a little less brilliant, as the persons whom it is desirable to bring to aright way of thinking about China, belong to the class which distrusts wit.
Ontports, TIENTSIN, No rain has fallen so far this year, and as very little snow fell during winter the complaining very bitterly of the dry weath-fields are very dry, and the peasantry are er as affecting injuriously their crops. On the 26th ultimo, Lo-ming-chang, the governor-general of this province, Chihli, issued two proclamations calling upon the inhabitants of the two prefectures of 'Tientsin and Taming to subscribe money for the support of the military of this province. In them he proposes levying a tax, which we may call a military tax, on' almost everything, native or foreign, Of course this measure has not been deemed satisfactory by the inhabitants of this place, and there is in consequence at this moment considerable deal of discontent against the powers that be, but 1 fancy this will very soon cease when they find Le-hung-chang preserve tranquility throughout the Governor-General had the intention to wince by the aid of his soldiers. The
build a wall—a wall like a city wall, round his Yamun, but the Pekin high authorities have decided against the step, and the wall will now not be erected. The Peking authorities have been induced to oppose the governor-general in this step, through'a memorial addressed to the throne by Moan-chang-he, president of the Board of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.