We observe that a circular has been issued Secretariat to the Merchants of this Western China will start at the end of Dec., informing them that an expedition to under the leadership of Col. Horace Browne. The object of the mission as stated in the Gircalar is comprehensive enough, and It is opinion. of the focal Mercbanta it will be ested that any special points which in the desirable to investigate should be added to the subject which the expedition has in view. As the Chamber of Commerce is obsolete here, the Government will not in all probability be troubled with many suggestions. Were there somewhat more unanimity amongst the mercantile commanity, and were anything Tike an active interest felt by the members of it in enterprises of this nature, the case might be different The personnel of the expedition will consist of Colonel Browne, Dr. Anderson, who traveller ad avon, sd Mr, jog Elias, who has-already established his reputation' as a holds the me Geographii Society on account; of explorations undertaken by him in China, and who is an accomished Chinese scholar. The route via jeinnee appears for reasons which have not transpired to have been abandoned and the expedition will take its departure from Bhamo, following in all probability Sladen's route via Momein on to Talifoo. An interpreter will most likely meet the expedition at Momein, but whether he will come across country from China appears to be uncertain. The ultimate destination of the mission can hardly he foretold. It may find its way on through China and reach the seaboard at Canton or Shanghai. Valuable presents will be taken to be distributed en route, and his Majesty of Burmah appears to be most affably disposed towards the expedition and quite inclined to render every assistance. Undoubtedly his truest policy would be to associate himself more and more closely with British enterprise. By the opening up of the western route to China with our assistance, he would infallibly become a material gainer. We are sure the proceedings of the expedition will be watched with the keenest interest both here and at home, and especially by the l.iverpool Chamber, which keeps a sleepless eye upon everything tending to shorten the road to China. The expedition will be accompanied by a very small guard only, with the view to protection against the Kachyens. We sincerely trust that no casualties may occur, and that the objects of the mission may be successfully accomplished.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.