April 8th.—() 4 memorial from Juilien, Military Governor of Jéh-ho, dilating on the staple subject of administrative complaint—delay m making up and handing over accounts by outgoing Magistrates, ete. This grievance was dwelt upon in a long memorial last autumn, when a committee of audit was established for the purpose of clearing off arrears; but the evil is agai making itself felt, and a fresh committee is proposed.
(2).—The Governor of Hu-nan memorializes respecting official changes occasioned by the promotion of the provincial Intendant of Finance, Wu Yuan-ping, 4 FT, JIN, to the Governorship of Hu-peh. His place is filled, by Imperinl decree, by the judicial Commissioner 'T'u Tsung-ying, FA, suk Tung ton becomes Judicial Commissioner in the Latter's stead. Pending the latter's arrival in the Province a provisional appointment is made.
April 9.—No documents of importance this day. Itis announced that His Majesty will leave Peking at 4 a.m. to-morrow.
April 11, (1). A Decree ordaining the xemission of 3/10ths of the land-tax for the current year in the districts of Wan-ping, Liang-luang, Tso Chow, Fang-shan, and Yih Chow, which are to be traversed during the Imperial progress to the Tombs, (2). Memorial by the censor Chang Kwan-chun, reprobating the action of the provincial governments in multiplying likin barriers. The li-kin tax, he observes, was established as a provisional measure for the supply of war expenses, and cannot be looked upon as a permanent resource, Nevertheless, all over the Empire taxing stations are maintained without due authority in excess of those which are legally established at commanding points of trafic, causing an endless drain upon the means of the public in order to fill the pockets of the local officials. Tt constantly happens that under pretext of surveillance the most arbitrary exactions are enforced, and plunder to an unlimited extent is indulged in, Fraudulent returns are also made of the amounts periodically collected, and the officials in charge share in the illicit profits amassed by clerks and underlin, In the provinces immediately bordering upon both hanks of the Yang-tsze, whicl have suffered so grievously during therebellion, it is an urgent slaky to testa reviving trade and enterprise; whilst in Sze-chuen, Kwangtung, Shan-ting, and Shensi, pro: vinoes in a comparatively unharmed' condition, what should be done is to protect, stead of to pillage, the sources of national prosperity. The Censor prays that injunctions be laid upon the high provincial authorities, directing them to enquire carefully into these matters, and rectify the abuses he complains of." (A rescript commending this matter to the attention of the provincial governments has already appeared.)
(8) Another memorial from the' same Censor draws attention to the abuses toler ated in the provinces in connection with the wrongful monopoly of functions by officials who have gained access to the pub: lic service by purchase, to the exclusion in many eases of those who have entered the service in the regular way.
April 13th.—(1) A Decree. The horse presented to Us by Pehyennamoku Wo have ridden, and found greatly to our liking. We give him the name of Chrysanthemum Bay. Let two rolls of be bestowed upon Pehyennamoku, Re pect this (2) A Decree ordaining that an ingot of silver of one tael's weight be given from the household treasury to each of the officers of the guards in attendance on the sedan-chairs of their Majesties the' two Empresses-dowager, during the Progress to the Tombs.
The remainder of this day's Gazette is occupied with unimportant memorials res pectin the appointment of minor officials in Kan-suls and Yun-nan.
April 15th.—A Decree. This day, alan the line of Our road, a vast number o tracks of carts and "horses have been visible. In this, a want of due reverence for Majesty is notably displayed. Let the Ministers in charge of the road and the Governor-General of Chih-li_ stringently prohibit and put a stop to the proceeding. If any venture to disobey and if vehicles infringe any further upon the road, let them immediately denounce the offenders, be their office great or small. Let also the soldiers, eunuchs, lackeys of the suite, and all others (at fault) be punished in the most severe manner. Respect this! (The damage tothe Imperial roadway, of which his Majesty complains, has probably been
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.