Tae Report which has just been issued by the Shantang Famine Relief Committee, and which has been published by the Municipal Council, is a very satisfactory document. The record of what has been done is unassuming, and, indeed, the facts speak for themselves, We have no wish' to vaunt our charity, or to make comparisons between the Heathen and the Christian, as is too often done but yet, it cannot be denied. that the Foreigner in Far Cathey has on the present occasion behaved extremely well. A few months ago, rumours more or less definite reached us as to the failure of the crops in the North, At first the matter was regarded as somewhat exaggerated, but very soon reports came pouring in which it was impossible to disbelieve or to ignore, The state of trade was extremely bad: The hopes that the fortunate specula: tions in the silk market had raised were dashed to the ground, or wore in rapid progress of demolition, and everything looked gloomy. Still the Foreign residents at Shanghai, and at the other Treaty Ports in China and Japan, had their old traditions of liberality, and were not disposed to see their fellow-creatures suffer without stretching out succouring baud to relieve them. Early in the day, a Charity Concert was given in Shanghai, with great success. The letters of Mr. Richard, with their ghently details, came just at the time when pity was partially aroused. The electric spark of sympathy was kindled, and we soon saw exemplified "How great a matter a little fire kindleth." There was no hesitation on the subject. The community of Shang. hai took up the matter, A letter was written to the Council by a few residents, The governing body took the hint that was given them, and replied in exactly the terms which their mo-monalists wished. With the authority given them by the Chairman of the Municipal Council, the Committee went to work—divided and mapped out the Settlement into districts, and canvassed zealously and successfully. We have heard more than one of the gentlemen engaged in "begging" say that they nona had Pics Bh The "hat" was expected, and everybody seemed prepared to drop their coi into it, The Outports and the Foreign Settle. ments in Japan were communicated with, and a sum amounting to thirty thousand Shanghai Taels was collected!
The Committee were very fortunate in finding in the famine-stricken districts a number of zealous and benevolent meu, ready to act as almoners; and nothing can be more praiseworthy than the exertions of the Missionaries in Shantung. We know that their task was neither easy nor safe. One me valuable life has been sacrificed to the sacred cause, and we know that months will elapse before many of the Missionaries engaged in the work of distribation will recover the strength they have lost in the laborious duties' to which they dedicated themselves.
Many good results will, however, accrue from the efforts of the Foreigners on this occasion. In the first place, we have seen Protestant and Roman
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.